WOMEN IN TERRORISM

1. WOMEN IN TERRORISM Frances Lynne Saunders, Department of Geological, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City North Carolina, USA Data Collection and Analyses • Results • The results of this study were: • Some have shown the suspected traits of lost love ones, the women studied come from varying economic and sociological backgrounds. • The profiles of these attackers vary in age, level of education, and societal standing. • Due to cultural bias toward the rights and privacy of women, female attackers are less likely to be suspected or have there property searched. • Women can more easily disguise the ethnic background or country of origin using a wide array of accessories. • Against the beliefs of many cultures women are more violent than there male counterparts, often using imbedded projectiles and other material to increase the destructive intensity of the bombs. Abstract The involvement of women in terrorism has increased in recent history for their involvement has created new difficulties concerning the development of profiles by which to screen possible suspects. These difficulties arise from the women’s ability to disguise their origins and the added ability to conceal bombs within personal belongings. The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth look into the motives and methods related to recent terrorist attacks perpetrated by female assailants, and to give some perspective as to the unpredictable nature of terrorism as a whole. Recent articles relating to these terrorist acts were found via the internet on major news sites and archived periodicals. Interviews were conducted with professionals and colleagues regarding the psychological stability of these female attackers. The diversity of the subject’s background makes it impossible to attribute a single profile to the women involved in these attacks. Terrorism is a complex problem in which the world as a whole is at risk for any type of attack from any section of the populace. To counter the problem effectively it is necessary to view the world from eyes outside its culture setting aside stereotypes and traditional misconceptions. American educated, Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash “Dr. Germ” a mother of four children was one of Saddam Hussein’s top research in the area of biological weapons. She is one of the world’s most notorious female terrorist. Conclusion Most of the women involved in these acts have either a loss of a loved one, or have been convinced that they are doing their country a favor by committing these acts of terrorism. However, the backgrounds of the women involved are spread across all economic levels. The diversity of the subjects background makes it impossible to attribute an individual profile to the women involved in these attacks. Profiling suspects is made even more difficult by a women's ability to disguise her origin and cultural preconceptions regarding their privacy and demeanor. Due to the ill treatment of women in the Muslim cultural they are viewed as more expendable then there male counterparts. This could be one of the reason in the recent increase in number of female suicide bombers. Purpose of Study The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth look into the motives and methods related to recent terrorist attacks perpetrated by female assailants, and to give some perspective as to the unpredictable nature of terrorism as a whole. Recommendations for Further Study Strategic purposes for gorilla terrorism verses conventional warfare. Boarder security at the ports. International airline security. There has been an increase in terrorist activity involving women. Most significant is the use of women as suicide bombers. Hypothesis Statement At the onset of the study it was my belief that these women were motivated by feelings of grief or as a result of brain washing via religious groups. References BBC NEWS, Iraq's women scientists Published: 2004/09/22 taken from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3679040.stm on the date of 06/28/05 Associated Press, Russia plane crashes caused by explosives Updated: Aug. 30, 2004 taken from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5810127/ on 06/27/05 Jean V. Hardisty, Terrorism: taken from http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/women/html/wh_036700_terrorism.htm on 06/27/05 Yoram Schweitzer, Suicide Terrorism: Development & Characteristics April 21, 2000 taken fromhttp://www.ict.org.il/articles/articledet.cfm?articleid=112 on 06/25/05 Israeli Media, The Exploitation of Palestinian Women for TerrorismApril 18, 2002 taken from http://www.embassyofisrael.org/articles/2002/April/2002042201.html on 06/25/05 MUNIR AHMAD, for the Associated Press, Treatment of Women in the Third World taken from http://secondsightresearch.tripod.com/zine/id26.html on 06/24/05 Nabi Abdullaev for ISN Security Watch, Women to the forefront in Chechen terrorism taken from http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=9781%20 on 10/29/05 Terrorism Unveiled, Women Terrorists January 13, 2005 taken from http://www.terrorismunveiled.com/athena/2005/01/women_terrorist.html on 10/30/05 Literature Search Articles relating to terrorist acts were found via the internet on major news sites and archived periodicals. Interviews were conducted with professionals and colleagues regarding the psychological stability of these female attackers. Women from any aspect from Muslim society can potential be recruited as a suicide terrorist regardless of education, wealth, or political standing. • Methodology • Literature assembled was reviewed for content that would; • give insight to the psychological stability of the attackers • would show ties to religious organizations or groups that have a history of terrorist activity. • would highlight factors in the subjects past that would provide reason for the revenge. • show differences in the methodology between the male verses female attackers. • factors with in societies world wide that would allow females an advantage in the commission of terrorist acts. Acknowledgements Mr. Brian Campbell, ECSU Dr. Lloyd Mitchell MS, RS, PhD And those I interviewed