1
DOD Personnel and Military Casualty Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center, Casualty
Summary by Reason, October 7, 2001 through August 18, 2007, available at
[http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/gwot_reason.pdf].
2
The suicide attacks on American hotels in Jordan in November 2005 represent the first known
case where Iraqis have conducted suicide bombings against the United States outside of Iraq.
Brent Sadler, Jordan Confirms Al Qaeda Behind Hotel Blasts, CNN, November 12, 2005.
3
DOD Personnel and Military Casualty Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center, Casualty
(continued...)
Order Code RS22330
Updated August 28, 2007
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
in Iraq and Afghanistan:
Effects and Countermeasures
Clay Wilson
Specialist in Technology and National Security
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
Since October 2001, improvised explosive devices (IEDs, roadside bombs, and
suicide car bombs) have been responsible for many of the more than 3,000 combat
deaths in Iraq and many of the more than 240 combat deaths in Afghanistan.
1
Vehicle-
borne IEDs and car bombs are now used to strike police stations, markets, and mosques,
killing local citizens as well as U.S. troops. U.S. forces counter the devices through
utilizing intelligence sources and by disrupting portions of the radio spectrum that
insurgents use to trigger IEDs. However, insurgents quickly adapt to countermeasures,
and new, more sophisticated IEDs are increasingly being used in both Iraq and
Afghanistan. Department of Defense (DOD) officials have also charged that Iran may
be supplying new IED technology to insurgents in Iraq. There is growing concern that
IEDs might eventually be used by other insurgents and terrorists worldwide.
2
This
report will be updated as events warrant.
Background
Improvised explosive devices, also known as IEDs, roadside bombs, and suicide car
bombs, have caused over 60% of all American combat casualties in Iraq and 50% of
combat casualties in Afghanistan, both killed and wounded.
3
Some observers speculate
