Suicide bombing

Suicide terrorism has inherent tactical advantages over conventional terrorism: It is a simple and low-cost operation (requiring no escape routes or complicated rescue operations); it guarantees mass casualties and extensive damage (since the suicide bomber can choose the exact time, location, and circumstances of the attack); there is no fear that interrogated terrorists will surrender important information (because their deaths are certain); and it has an immense impact on the public and the media (due to the overwhelming sense of helplessness).

The intentional self-destruction of life by an individual or group by suicide bombing is the ultimate fanatical sacrificial statement, that is to be willfully die for a cause in order to create destruction and/or take the lives of the "enemy". Suicide bombers usually seek to create maximum damage or loss of life, and subsequently are often revered as martyrs by the group or community from which the suicide bomber came from. Terrorist bombings occur all over the world, and a multitude of groups are responsible, but terrorist suicide bombings are relatively rare. They usually occur during war, or are carried out by terrorist groups because of ideological, religious or political reasons. They tend to be much more difficult to prevent than other forms of bombing.

Suicide terrorism has confounded governments since it made its modern debut on 23 October 1983, when two explosions destroyed the barracks of the US and French contingents of the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 American servicemen and 58 French paratroopers.

Islamic extremist groups have advocated and carried out suicide bombings as part of "Jihad" in Israel, whilst Jewish individuals have carried out identical actions. During the Second World War, the American Naval Fleet faced suicide or "kamakaze" attacks by Japanese aircraft pilots, whilst ground troops faced Japanese suicide bombers.