WASHINGTON DC – We rightfully condemn terrorism but have to admire the planning that sometimes goes into attacks.
I would wager that most terrorist attacks are anything but methodically thought out. After all, it does not take a rocket scientist to take a knife or a gun and start stabbing/shooting people at random in a crowded venue (shopping mall, street festival, school…). Anyone with a grievance can do that.
There are, however, some plots that do require careful planning in advance to succeed. 9/11 is a good example. When I worked in security intelligence we thwarted actions that were months if not years in the making.
Today’s featured incident is a good example I think.
On this day in 1977
Beginning on March 9th of that year, three buildings in Washington, DC were besieged by 12 members of the Hanafi Movement, a Black Muslim group in the US capital. 149 people were held hostage for three days in the then District Building, the HQ of the B’nai B’rith and the Islamic Center of Washington. Two people were killed before the affair came to an end with the surrender of the terrorists after a 39-hour standoff.
That the toll was not higher was in part a tribute to the primary tactic U.S. law enforcement officials are now using to thwart terrorists—patience.
Time magazine
The hostage takers had three primary demands: they wanted the government to hand over a group of men who had been convicted of killing seven relatives – mostly children – of takeover leader Hamaas Khaalis; they wanted those that were convicted of killing Malcolm X; and they demanded that the premiere of the film Mohammad, Messenger of God be canceled and the film destroyed because they considered it sacrilegious.
For this they took innocent people hostage. Huh?
PS fun fact: D.C. Council member – and later mayor – Marion Barry was wounded in the affair by a shotgun pellet which pierced his chest, right above his heart, nearly killing him.
Read More Today in Terrorism
May 31, 1906: Spanish anarchist bombs royal wedding
On May 31, 1906 a Spanish anarchist threw a bomb hoping to hit King Alfonso XIII, killing 24 and wounding more than 100.
May 30, 2009: Anti-government group bombs TV station in Ecuador
On May 30, 2009 two pamphlet-bombs exploded outside an Ecuadorian TV station and ministry: no victims or significant damage ensued.
May 29, 2016: ISIS uses chlorine gas in terrorist attack
On May 29, 2016 35 civilians were wounded in an ISIS attack using rockets containing chlorine gas in Iraq’s Nineveh Province.
