An IED is a type of homemade or improvised bomb designed to cause harm, damage, or disruption. It is not built through standard, formal military manufacturing processes.
Basic definition
An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb that is fabricated in an improvised way, often using a mix of military, commercial, or homemade explosives combined with a triggering mechanism. IEDs are widely used by insurgents, terrorists, and other non‑state actors because they are relatively cheap to make and can be adapted to many situations.
Main components
Most IEDs share several basic parts: a power source (such as a battery), an initiator or detonator, an explosive charge, a container or casing, and some kind of switch or trigger. Builders may also pack the device with nails, ball bearings, or other fragments to increase injury, or add chemical, biological, or radiological materials to amplify effects.
Common forms and uses
IEDs can be hidden by roadsides, placed in vehicles, worn or carried by a person, or concealed in buildings and objects. They are often used to attack vehicles, patrols, crowds, infrastructure, or security forces, and can range from small pipe bombs to large charges capable of destroying buildings or armored vehicles.