Blog 2, Growing number of attacks in Syria, Cody Cook

Summary:

According to this article, Syria has had an increase in terrorism, predominately suicide bombings. Studies have shown that that in 2013, 15 percent of worldwide suicide bombings took place in Syria and a similar growth is happening in the neighboring country of Lebanon in the beginning of 2014. Jabhat al-Nusra, a large local groups with ties to Al-Qaeda, carried out the largest number of these attacks. In 2012, 43 of the 50 suicide bombings recorded in Syria were carried out by this organization, followed by another 34 attacks in 2013. Another organization called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was founded in May of 2013 and since then had been responsible for 9 suicide bombings. The most common way that these bombings are carried out is by strapping explosive vests to their bodies that can be detonated when needed. These attacks take time and planning thus showing sophistication and professionalism. In one instance six suicide bombers were able to destroy two adjacent targets by detonating themselves at the same time. In many of these examples the suicide bombers used were foreign volunteers. This has allowed Lebanon to be affected by the spread of terrorism, which as a result is hurting the stability of their country. Overall as long as the civil war continues in Syria suicide bombing will continue to be an issue in the surrounding states. 

Analysis:

The concept of suicide bombing can easily become a worldwide issue. As long as the civil war continues within Syria they will continue to have organizations that want to use terrorism to get their message across. Since many suicide bombers are foreign volunteers there is an increased risk of people from other countries dying in Syria and an increased risk of people from Syria carrying out attacks on other countries. If we want to put a stop of this rising increase in suicide bombing we must step back and determine the best course of action for ending the civil war in Syria. Until this is accomplished suicide bombing will continue to be a major issue and will keep spreading out and affecting more and more people. 

Source:

http://www.jpost.com/Syria/Suicide-terrorism-thriving-in-Syria-is-threat-to-West-Israel-new-report-warns-341087