Suicide bombing

A suicide bombing is an attack using a bomb in which the individual(s) carrying the explosive materials composing the bomb intend(s) and expect(s) to die upon detonation (see suicide).

Usage and related terms

The usage of the term "suicide bombing" dates back to at least 1940. An August 10, 1940 New York Times article mentions the term in relation to German tactics. A March 4, 1942 article refers to a Japanese attempt at a "suicide bombing" on an American carrier. The Times (London) of April 15, 1947, page 2, refers to a new pilotless, radio-controlled rocket missile thus: "Designed originally as a counter-measure to the Japanese 'suicide-bomber,' it is now a potent weapon for defence or offence."

Related Topics:
1940 - August 10 - New York Times - German - March 4 - 1942 - The Times

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The quotes are in the original and suggest that the phrase was an existing one. An earlier article (Aug 21, 1945, page 6) refers to a kamikaze plane as a "suicide-bomb."

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The term in the context known today (an attacker blowing up himself or a vehicle to kill others) was not used until 1981, when it was used in an Associated Press article to describe the bombing of the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut.

Related Topics:
1981 - Associated Press

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Nonetheless, in order to assign a more positive or negative connotation to the act, suicide bombing is sometimes referred to by different terms. Islamists often use the terms isshtahad or martyrdom operation for the act itself, while the suicide bomber is called a shahid (pl. Shahiddin, literally 'witness' and usually translated as 'martyr'). The term denotes one who died in order to testify his faith in Allah, for example those who die while waging jihad bis saif; it is applied to suicide bombers, by the Palestinian Authority among others, in part to overcome Islamic strictures against suicide. This term has been embraced by Hamas, Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Fatah and other Palestinian factions engaging in suicide bombings. (The title is by no means restricted to suicide bombers; Muhammad al-Durrah, for example, is among the most famous shahiddin of the Intifada, and even a few non-Palestinians such as Tom Hurndall and Rachel Corrie have been called shahid.)

Related Topics:
Martyrdom operation - Allah - Jihad bis saif - Palestinian Authority - Hamas - Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades - Fatah - Muhammad al-Durrah - Tom Hurndall - Rachel Corrie

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Some have attempted to popularize the term "homicide bombing" as a synonym for "suicide bombing" in order to de-emphasize the self-sacrificial connotations of suicide bombing and emphasize that suicide bombers are committing murder as well as suicide. The first such use was by White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, in April 2002. http://www.wordspy.com/words/homicidebombing.asp

Related Topics:
Murder - White House Press Secretary - Ari Fleischer - 2002

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This phrase has not gained widespread popularity, although News Corp outlets Fox News and the New York Post have adopted it. Some people criticize that homicide bombing is an inaccurate phrase and it should not be used to describe suicide bombings, on the grounds that the term "homicide bomber" would refer to those who kill other people with bombs but not themselves, such as someone who leaves a booby-trap or tosses a grenade.

Related Topics:
News Corp - Fox News - New York Post - Booby-trap - Grenade

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