IEDs

An improvised explosive device (IED) is a homemade or repurposed explosive device used to cause destruction through a blast, fragmentation, or both. IEDs are assembled from a variety of explosive materials and casings and are designed to be adaptable to different delivery methods and environments. They are distinct from standardized military munitions in that they are often created outside formal weapons programs and can be assembled from locally available components.

Common deployments include concealed roadside devices, bombs placed in vehicles (vehicle-borne IEDs), and devices carried or hidden for remote or attacker-activated detonation. A typical IED may be detonated by a remote switch, a timer, a pressure or trip mechanism, or a device triggered by the target. The range of designs contributes to the unpredictability and lethality of IED incidents.

In modern conflicts and terrorism, IEDs have been used by various actors to degrade civilian infrastructure, disrupt transportation, or exert coercive pressure. Their asymmetrical nature makes them a recurring security concern for both military personnel and civilian populations.

Prevention and response rely on counter-IED (C-IED) measures, including intelligence gathering, route clearance, and the work of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams. Protective infrastructure, rapid medical access, training for first responders, and public awareness also play roles. International humanitarian law restricts attacks that deliberately target civilians, and IED use in such contexts can constitute war crimes or acts of terrorism depending on circumstances.