McClatchy Newspapers.
WASHINGTON — The
two explosions that killed three people and wounded more than 170 Monday
in Boston were dramatic, the deadliest bombing in the United States
since April 19, 1995, when a truck loaded with fertilizer blew up
outside the federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168. But the
method of attack wasn’t particularly surprising to anti-terrorism
experts: a homemade bomb that officials refer to as an IED, or
improvised explosive device.
In fact, in the last six months, there have been 172
IEDs reported in the United States, according to a government count that
an official revealed Tuesday in answer to questions about U.S.
preparedness. The official shared the figures, which were gathered
before Monday’s explosion, only on the condition that neither the
official nor the official’s office be identified.
The official
shared information in an email that indicated most American IED attacks
were small: “Homemade fireworks, childish pranks and other such
non-terror related activities.”
But the information also notes that American officials have long
understood the threat, and includes a warning that’s been distributed to
other agencies: “Expect IED attacks by Homegrown Violent Extremists
(HVEs) and individuals to continue throughout the United States. High
profile events will present additional targets for HVEs and other
individuals.”
