Recent years have seen a disturbing trend of assailants using vehicles to carry out attacks on innocent civilians. These attacks have ranged from terror incidents linked to radical religious beliefs to those allegedly perpetrated by white nationalists or far-right activists.
One such incident occurred in New Orleans when an Army veteran rammed a 6,000-pound pickup truck into a crowd of revelers, resulting in a tragic massacre. This attacker, who had served in Afghanistan, was found to have an ISIS flag on the truck during the attack.
Radical Islamist terror groups like ISIS and AQAP have advocated for the use of vehicles as deadly weapons. In fact, AQAP published an article in 2010 titled “The Ultimate Mowing Machine,” encouraging followers to use heavy vehicles to “mow down the enemies of Allah.”
One of the reasons why some individuals choose vehicles as weapons is the ease of access – no special training is required. National Security Analyst Peter Bergen highlighted this point, stating that anyone can rent or buy a vehicle and use it as a weapon.
Furthermore, vehicle attacks have a profound psychological impact due to the graphic aftermath they leave behind. The sight of covered corpses and scattered belongings in popular areas can instill fear and uncertainty among the public.
While some vehicle attacks target specific groups or events, others have indiscriminately targeted everyday pedestrians. The motives behind these attacks vary, with suspects ranging from ISIS followers to white nationalists.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics used by individuals seeking to cause harm and instill fear in communities. As authorities continue to investigate these attacks, the need for vigilance and preparedness remains paramount in ensuring public safety.
