DHS: Bombers may use 'pregnancy prosthetics'

Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 4:17 PM ET
Filed Under:

By James Popkin, NBC News Senior Investigative Correspondent

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is reminding law-enforcement officials of the increased use of female suicide bombers worldwide, and warning that women terrorists might hide explosives in devices “that mimic the look of a pregnant woman.”

The unclassified DHS threat assessment, released Monday and obtained by NBC News, shows photographs of “pregnancy prosthetics,” hollowed-out devices that could hold explosive devices. The report says “female suicide bombers have used devices that make them appear pregnant to hide explosive devices.”

The DHS report states that terrorists are using female bombers more frequently, in part because these attacks generate “more widespread media exposure.” It adds: “Continued use of female suicide bombers-the most recent example being a 3 February 2008 attack at the main railway station in Colombo, Sri Lanka-indicates that terrorists judge this tactic as effective in increasing defenses and thwarting security measures.”

The report, marked “For Official Use Only,” is one of dozens of threat assessments issued jointly throughout the year by DHS and the FBI. The authors are quick to mention that there’s no immediate threat to the U.S.

“DHS and the FBI have no specific, credible intelligence indicating that terrorist organizations intend to utilize female suicide bombers against targets in the Homeland,” they write.

The report ticks off several recent attacks by women bombers in Iraq and Sri Lanka, and the recruitment of female suicide bombers in Chechnya, India, Pakistan, the Palestinian territories and Turkey.

Why the increase in women bombers? “DHS and the FBI assess that female suicide bombers may have an advantage over their male counterparts in accessing targets. The means to conduct a suicide attack vary widely, but a key element in maximizing the lethality of a suicide bombing is the bomber’s ability to get close to the target,” the report states. “Female suicide bombers may carry explosives devices in a backpack, briefcase, or purse, or hidden in an article of clothing worn close to the body, such as a vest, belt, long socks, or jacket.”

Comments

So when are they going to declare M4RTI4L L4W?

pete (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 2:51 PM)

In response to the x-ray ideas,
Pregnant women can NOT be x-rayed, due to the exposure to lead. They couldn't even use them on non-pregnant passengers. Each time someone went through the machine everyone in line would be exposed to the lead, too. That wouldn't be safe by any standards.

Cassie, Eastpointe, MI (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 3:38 PM)

For one there talking about this happening in Iraq/Middle East not here in America. Most of you are speaking as if this is going to happen here. We don't have any suicide bombers here...yet.

David, Houston, Texas (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 3:53 PM)

We wouldn't have to worry about suicide bombers in this country if it wasn't for the damn Zionist "Piglets". If Israel would get out of the occupied lands most of this would cease.  The "Nutcases " that cause these situations are the ones we should be on the watch for. Clean the government of these Neocons and their goy "Ninnys" (Bush) and ship them back to Israel where they belong. America deserves "MUCH" better.

Mo in Atlanta,Georgia (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 4:03 PM)

I'm going to guess that it's much less likely that women living in the USA are going to be much LESS likely to volunteer to be suicide bombers than those living in Pakistan, Palestine, or Sri Lanka, if only because the standard of living is better and there is less cause for an individual to feel that the only use for her life is as a political protest.

Hwa Shi-Hsia (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 4:07 PM)

"The report, marked “For Official Use Only,” is one of dozens of threat assessments issued jointly throughout the year by DHS and the FBI. The authors are quick to mention that there’s no immediate threat to the U.S."

This doesn't sound like official use to me.  I didn't have to enter a password to see it.  Where's the identification verification to see if I have the need to know for this?  Just shows how idiotic the media is nowadays...Reminds me of Geraldo in Iraq telling Baghdad exactly where he was at.  

Operational Security is a good thing here.  Any military members releasing this information could be charged with treason and shot.  Where's the check and balance for the media?

P C, Anchorage, AK (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 4:19 PM)

And Muslims get upset over the printing of some cartoons?  Can someone please clarify which is worse?  Suicide bomber... OR Cartoons... ???

John Smith, USA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 4:20 PM)

No, it's not a lie. It's also not new. This tactic has been used by several groups for a lengthy period of history - most notably by the LTTE (Tamil Tigers). It's one of the older tricks in suicide bombing. I really hope that this information, which is covered in any Terror 101 class in most Global Security academic programs, is not new to our security officers.

The thing to remember is that a democracy can never provide you with anything close to perfect security. That is the core price of freedom: Vulnerability. Ironically, if you sacrifice your freedom for security you just get even more vulnerability.

Phoinix, Chicago (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 4:42 PM)

Just a reminder that within the past two weeks the enemy did use some women who were supposedly mentally challenged to carry out a suicide bombing. As to whether they dressed as or were actually pregnant, I don't recall from the article which was on MSNBC, Fox, CNN, etc.  But it is so ridiculous and stupid on the part of our country to even say anything about any moves on our part, i.e. visits of our dignitaries to the war areas, the idea of this pregnancy suit, where we are going to check out the presence of Bin Laden, .. well, just anything that tells them anything.  I forget who it was that said, "Loose lips sink ships" ... Government officials sure have loose lips!

Patricia, San Benito, Texas (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 4:45 PM)

I am shocked at those people who are saying things to the effect of "why are you trying to scare us more?" GET OVER YOURSELVES. We need to be prepared. If you tell your child that the person she meets on the internet might not be nice, and that she shouldn't tell them alot about herself, are you just doing that to scare her? NO. You want her to be aware. This is similar, on a larger scale. And incidentally, MllK (post above mine), I am no huge fan of George Bush, but it seems pretty ridiculous to browse the web searching for disconnected articles to critiscize him on.

Yael, New York, N.Y. (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:42 PM)

This is some interesting information, but as we all know, one determined nutcase is impossible to stop.  Everyone take a deep breath and remember this. "A people who willingly trade liberty for security get--and deserve--neither"  Mr. Benjamin Franklin.  Anyone remember him?

Sidney Davis III - Chicago, IL (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:53 PM)

Tohse o us who recall Viet Nam and the wartime atroities practiced there or reportedly practiced will remember the children who walked up to soldiers with grenades strapped to their bodies. No one searched the children or their mothers. I think it was about a hundred over the thirty year war that died in this fashion, not counting the women and children massacred by soldiers following orders from governments that didn't give a blasted damn. We're at the cross roads again with medical exams for the pregnant the obese and the rotound, shall we extend that to include children carrying toys and backpacks women with babies in arms carrying diaper bags. It's not enough that we're terrified about our food water drugs and passtimes now we're worried about out wives and mothers killing us or our sons and daughters carrying bombs to blow us up. When is it going to stop? It's right out of Asimov'e or Clarke's universes where the whole race dies because of some common dream the men had. They killed the children out of fear to protect them from the rage to come and found that they were the rage and had slain the world. Are we going to do the same?

J A rOBINSON New Plymouth, New Zealand (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:53 PM)

Have the 911 attacks been forgotten? I bet they thought their chance of being struck by lightening was higher too, until it happened. Be glad that we are an information society and they put this information out. It's not to strike panic, it is to make us aware.

TLuv LA CA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:54 PM)

To Frank Wagner Have over 3000 people died of lightning strikes in the US since 9/11

Cary Riley St. Louis MO (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:56 PM)

Using pregnant prosthetics, pregnant women, and people with Downs Syndrome.  The terrorists are really morally bankrupt, and constantly demonstrate, this is a political fight that blasphemes Allah and denigrates his prophet, and uses the ignorant for political gain.  How many children of the terrorist leaders are suicide bombers?

DZ, Arl,Va (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:58 PM)

Thank you MSNBC and Homeland Security for giving terroists a great idea for smuggling explosives undetected.  

kirsten in utah (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:04 PM)

Our government is trying to help and give us security, it looks like most of the comment that I see is against it.
I have a plan they should have two lines and two planes , those who want the security go the checkpoint and travel safe. Those who do not believe in what the homeland security is doing travel free in a different plane, at their own risk.

Bijou@msn.com (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:14 PM)

This war is turning into Vietnam so quickly....they are such a disgusting low people that they are more than willing to use mentally & physically challenged people, women....and next WILL be the small children and babies.  They do not value the lives of others....except their own!

Malachite1976, Sharpsburg, GA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:17 PM)

God forbid something like this happened in the U.S., the same people that are on here complaining that the government published a report on this would be the same exact people that would be up in arms that the government didn't publish a report on this....

If you don't like it here, I hear Canada is nice.

Ira Allen, Vermont (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:18 PM)

MYSPACE

:P (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:20 PM)

I'm not sure about how one would go about determining which bellies were pregnant, which plastic, and which merely "supersized". However, pointing any kind of radiation-emitting device (x-ray, for example) at a developing baby should be legally defensible grounds for an immediate, physical, fatal response. If detection is necessary, perhaps this would be a good gig for a bomb-sniffing dog?

Don'tWantBabyWithSuperPowers, Seattle, WA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:20 PM)

It's interesting to read the security naysayers.  In one breath Bush is responsible for 9/11 due to lax security, in the next, Bush is picking on us due to increased security.  Here's reality folks:  There is a very large, intelligent group of highly motivated people out there who want to kill YOU because YOU are American.  It will be interesting to see what YOU have to say when YOU get your way and our vigilence and security is reduced and someone YOU know is killed.

Dan, Susanville, CA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:25 PM)

Good grief!  Bush is to blame now even when our government is trying to protect us.  To be serious, I think the whole idea is stupid.  But to tell the truth I'm afraid to go any place.  These people are all nuts and want us dead.  We can not live that way.  But when you catch them, by all means treat them gently, and HORRORS,  do not use the death PENALTY.  After all they only want to kill a few thousand of us.  Give me a break.      

Lorraine Taube Brockway Township Michigan (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:31 PM)

I think this just goes to show how far the terrorists are willing to go to accomplish their plans.  It would be an intrusion of our privacy if pregnant women had to have scans done to prove their pregnancy (and I'm all for fighting for our rights) but we have to make some sacrifices.  Also it would be a lot easier to tell if some one is pregnant (without a scan) if they weren't wearing a long dress and head scarf because you can hide a lot of stuff under those without looking like you're pregnant.  Go PAUL!

jane doe, seattle, wash (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:40 PM)

First you complain about not enough security and then too much.  Well as the old saying goes, you can't please all the people all of the time.  We are at WAR.  Remember?

Lorraine Taube Brockway Township Michigan (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:41 PM)

What has happened to us Americans? We all cry for a little inconvenience, like spoiled rich kids! It's about time all of you complainers grew up and faced the real world, not the way you "dream" or wish it should be, kiddies. They won't give up! just remember that.

Edward Telts, Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:43 PM)

Well, I for one sincerely believe almost all of us will outlive our ancestors and that Ghanghis Khan, the Catholic Inquisition, Plague,starvation and many other things were far scarier than the perils that we face today. So if you want to be afraid, be very afraid but just leave the rest of us alone.

Michael S. Shelton, Burbank, Wash. (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:44 PM)

To all the fanatics that say this should not be released or that the fear factor is being turned up; shut your mouths and open your eyes and ears to the world around you/us. I would be rather be informed and alert than ignorant and aloof. "If it happens, it happens so get over it and live life." WHAT? If it happens, you would be DEAD and wouldn't be able to "live" life(Obviously not a college graduate). The world does not consist of North America. As to the comment that DHS thinks most Americans are stupid, most Americans ARE STUPID ! Stupid people don't know they're stupid till someone tells them(or bombs them). As for the comment "Close the Borders" What do you think we've been trying to do? Oh, let in the ILLEGAL immigrants, they'll be okay. As they send money home, use our medical and educational systems to their benefit, etc. As for this being Bush's fault, I wonder if the Democrats win the election it will all be cleared up the next day and The Democratic president will be in a photo op with the President of Iran holding a bouquet of dasies shaking hands and smiling and all will be forgiven(DONT THINK SO). The Democratic party is too divided amongst themselves. Quit your whinning and take what life gives you and make the best of it. I have served in the military and bust my hump everyday for what is mine. I have nothing given to me or feel that something is owed to me. Wipe your tears, pick yourselves up by your bootstraps and make your way in life.

Robert Wrobel, Chicago, IL (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:44 PM)

Doesn't it strike anyone funny that they are capitalizing 'homeland'? Seems I remember a regime that capitalized 'fatherland' once upon a time. They also controlled their population through fear and loathing of an ethic/religious group. Seems our government does learn from the past, just the wrong lessons.

Dan, America (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:48 PM)

Sonograms at the airport? There is evidence that ultrasound imaging can affect fetuses. Ultrasounds are for medical use only, and many women opt out of them altogether.

As a pregnant woman I would gladly show my belly to someone in the name of security. Feel it and look at it all you want. But I would not submit to a sonogram exam administered by a TSA employee. Please, I don't even trust those people with my laptop.

Mary, Pullman Wash (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:55 PM)

Marty from Iowa- FYI:  X-rays are contraindicated in pregnancy, i.e., cause harmed and DEAD babies.  Those harmed and dead babies can also cause severe health risks and damage to the mother carrying them as well.  I broke my toe while pregnant, and did not, was advised NOT to risk a potentially damaging x-ray.  They're reserved for cases of very serious injury/illness in pregnant women, and are conducted with huge precautions in the form of lead aprons and blankets. Do we need to put our unborn and pregnant women, our society's most sensitive beings, at risk, for the sake of "terrorist protection"?  Idiocy. I am sure plenty of terrorists feign obesity for the same reason.  This is pure idiocy. Oh, and another FYI: many of these suicide bomber women are not given a choice to perform their sacrificial duties, but are forced by husbands, fathers, uncles, brothers, etc...you get the picture. THESE WOMEN DON'T, IN MOST CASES, HAVE VOICE OR A CHOICE.  

Christine, Pennsylvania (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:00 PM)

Why do these discussions/comments continue to degrade into politics.  It has nothing to do with this or any other administration.  It is plain and simple.  There is a minority of people who will make ANY sacrifice to force their views/lifestyle/religion upon the rest of the world.  Terrorists tactics are simply that "spread terror, instile fear, disrupt normality, etc.." using any method at hand.  Today it is pregnant women, tomorrow (God forbid) nuclear weapons. Whether anyone likes it or not, the world and the way we lived forever changed on 9/11.  Unfortunately, our constitution, and subsequent bill of rights were not written at time when we were fighting a hidden eneny (with absolutely no morals).  Remember what Zawahri (al queda second in command) said; "we will kill you with your freedoms".  Thats the world we live in.  I hate living in fear, but I also cherish life and my children's lives. We must continue to be viligant.

Les C. NYC, NY

lpc@eellp.com (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:12 PM)

All you people who are ridiculing this story should look at the news once in a while. These things are happening overseas. It is not paranoid to prepare for such tactics.

Ron, Moline, IL (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:19 PM)

Well, Bin Laden attacked the WTC in the first Clinton term. He did nothing to try and catch Bin Laden, and even turned down opportunities to do so. That makes all of this HIS fault, doesn't it? Sounds to me like that may be the most inept administration in history.

Ron, Moline, IL (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:22 PM)

people, people, rememeber we are in 2008. we usually use ultrasound to confirm pregnancy, seldom x-ray. and as for being revealing, female clothing is generally more revealing than that. I for one am glad they are taking measures for safety. one usually doesn't get a second chance if a plane is blown out of the air.

jane doe, midwest (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:25 PM)

No pregnant women can not use the airport x-ray thing, or the wand, it could cause harm to the baby.

The last time I flew when pregnant, I chose to get a pat down so as to not risk harm

And before some one says that the security methods are safe, even to many ultra sounds can harm the baby. this is why they limit them.

Shelly (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:40 PM)

seems like the dhs is full of guys that would rather be hollywood terror genre writers than worry about real police work. unfortunately one of them is a family friend. the list of things that dhs is doing, but 'can't talk about' is aparently endless. this is just another example of the quality of their work. if this is seriously a threat, exactly which bombing was it where this tactic was used? or, which groups have they intercepted messages from concerning this method? i'm not holding my breath for the answer...

dc, cape coral, florida (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:54 PM)

I have a mother who has an artifical leg and when returning on a flight from Germany she was put in to a room and asked to remove her leg. I think it is far more embarrassing to be asked to remove your pants and then your leg, than to be asked to have someone examine you stomach. When I asked her about it she said that she was glad to do it. She would rather have them searching everyone and have our fellow americans be safe than to be upset by a few awakward moments.

Teresa, Sonora, CA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:57 PM)

The article was merely a heads up for anyone who chooses to heed the warning.  Though we continue to live our lives, there is still a real threat out there.  The standard security procedures may inconveniece us, but if those security policies weren't in place we'd be alot worse off.  

Thank you for bringing it to our attention!  

Is all the anger and bitterness necessary?

Melissa F, Levittown, NY (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:57 PM)

Are we going to continue to spend billions to counter every possible scheme that our highly-paid "security consultants" can dream up?  Why couldn't the terrorists just attack the line waiting to get through the screening process killing more people than you would have on one plane.  Government just needs to maintain a fiction to protect us from so that it can justify getting bigger and bigger.

Mike, Pittsburgh, PA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:57 PM)

Be afraid, be very afraid. Anyone, anywhere can be a terrorist. Even my two-year old could be a terrorist. And be sure to vote for McCain. He's the ONLY one who can protect American from terror. The Dems can't, period.

john jones, plano texas (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:07 PM)

I sense an awakening here in the straight forward comments from other readers... what a relief! For the first time in a long time I have hope that we are waking up to the fact that this is all fear based herd control and it's failing miserably. Thanks everyone!

Tim, Los Angeles, California (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:08 PM)

I agree with the person from Sri Lanka.  This has been known for a long time so just take it as a "you've been warned."  And hey MIIK, the terrorists slipped into the US under Clinton's watch.  They got flight training under Clinton's watch, they also made two other attempts against the World Trade Center under Clinton's watch AND the opportunity to kill Bin Laden, who those attempts were already linked to, was wasted by CLINTON because he could not be bothered during his golf game to give the final order until it was too late.

jane doe, Fairfax, Virginia (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:14 PM)

at least they're, DHS, thinking through all the scenarios; give these people a break, they're trying to keep all of us who travel often safe and all you stupid people do is ridicule the DHS.
start acting like adults and for God's sake, all you wack-jobs out there...please keep yourselves locked in your basements and bombshelters! you're making the rest of us rational folk look bad!

sick and tired of the idiots in this country (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:21 PM)

Never forget that one of the main goals terrorists aim for is to cause strife by provokingresponse. The people who scream "that darn government!" whenever terrorists get caught or a plot gets caught out by security are playing into the hands of that.

David Powell, Ocean City NJ (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:35 PM)

I think the government needs to do whatever it takes to protect the US. If the average joe/jane doesn't like how they are protecting us because the media of officials aren't giving us enough information so we can continue to critize them, then tough.  At least you will still be alive to gripe and complain.  With all of the faults in America, it is still the greatest country on earth.

Wendy, DeKalb Texas (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:36 PM)

Maybe, just maybe if the US of A would stop traveling around the world to other countries and devastating them with unjust wars, torture and exploitation of resources nobody would want to kill all of you. Think about it, one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter.

Former American, North Battleford SK Canada (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:29 PM)

As soon as there is a democrat in the Whitehouse, we'll have a friendly reminder... as Clinton ignored the first Trade Tower attack, and a new president steps in, the government will be unprepared, as 9/11, and the defeat of America in Iraq with withdrawal, the fun will begin for the extremist, who are already here, waiting for people to not care.  If one or two people open their eyes, they might see something.  Time will tell, don't blame the media or the government, they're trying to do their jobs, as worthless they are, you can help. God Bless America (even if Americans don't)

Phil, Augusta, Maine (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:42 PM)

FYI, this has been out for some time, only its been considered "for official use."  These articles aren't meant to scare anybody, it's to keep the public informed as to how the terrorists could attack next!  You keep knocking TSA, stop blaming the people trying to do their jobs to keep you safe.  Yes, some of the rules are rediculous, but deal with it or don't fly!  Also know, some of the tools TSA has are outdated compared to what 'they' are practicing on to see what they can and cannot get through security checkpoints.  TSA is doing the best they can with the tools they have to work with!

anonymous, USA (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:48 PM)

People keep blaming Bush for everything, gosh he is one powerful dude! Let's not forget congress is just as guilty! As forpregnant terrorists or any other kind, they're real, people. When are you going to wake up & realize they are here, now in every town in America teaching radical islam ideals to their kids & any unhappy, disenfranchized who aren't getting enough TLC from the government. Great civilizations fall from within, remember? Stop illegal immigration, profile to your hearts content! When are you going to realize you cant "talk" to these people. They just want us dead.

slc, Tucson, AZ (Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:57 PM)

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Deep Background is NBC News’ investigative blog. It covers national security, terrorism, spies, Iraq, and politics, as well as government waste, fraud and abuse. It is edited by NBC News Senior Investigative Producer Jim Popkin.

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