Use of IEDs by Regime Opposition in Syria Rises Sharply
The number of improvised explosives used by rebels in Syria has increased sharply this year, suggesting to some military experts that more outside help is reaching regime opponents and the conflict may widen.
In the restive city of Homs, citizens try to flee relentless fighting between the Syrian regime and opposition armies. Adding to the danger is wider use of improvised explosive devices.
In the restive city of Homs, citizens try to flee relentless fighting between the Syrian regime and opposition armies. Adding to the danger is wider use of improvised explosive devices.
“If they can sustain this trend, that indicates some external support,” Army Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, commander of the Pentagon’s lead organization to combat improvised explosives, told USA TODAY.
The monthly number of IEDs reported in Syria jumped 134% from December to January, according to the Pentagon’s Joint IED Defeat Organization.
The numbers that percentage is based on remain classified.
However, unclassified numbers released by the agency show that IED usage in Syria has been steadily climbing since the revolt started last year, reaching about 38 in December. These unclassified numbers are based on media and other “open sources.”
The presence of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, and the heightened level of fighting suggests that Syria has moved beyond a citizen revolt, analysts say.
“We have reached a point where it is an insurgency,” said Joe Holliday, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War.