Suicide Bombers

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Suicide bombers are terrorists who attach explosives to themselves, and, consequently, die along with their victims in a bombing attack. During World War II, Japanese pilots -- kamikaze pilots -- flew airplanes laden with explosives directly into enemy warships, dying in the process. The Viet Minh used suicide bombings as a form of rebellion against the French after WWII.

Often referred to as "homicide bombers," the current phenomenon gained notoriety with the bombings of civilians in Israel by members of Arab militant groups, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. Other guerilla groups which have employed suicide-bombing attacks include the Tamil Tigers and the Kurdistan Workers Party. In Iraq, the method of warfare was adopted in order to kill groups of soldiers. The terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, was the most widely-felt suicide bombing to date.

Often terrorism is supported by organizations which both directly underwrite the terrorist activity, and promise to provide for those left behind, freeing bombers from worry about their families' futures.

Last updated: June 21, 2004.