Improvised bombs, similar to those designed by the IRA, are turning up in the Middle East and Colombia, writes Jim Cusack, Security Editor
Crude pipe bombs examined by a United Nations explosive expert working with the Red Cross in Jenin refugee camp are said to resemble exactly the type of devices found in Northern Ireland in the early part of the "Troubles".
A former British army Royal Engineers officer, who worked in bomb disposal in Northern Ireland, was reported yesterday as saying the devices were identical to IRA-made pipe bombs he dealt with.
However, the description given of the devices suggests they could be similar to what were the crudest of bombs ever designed by the IRA, most of which were used in the early 1970s. The devices incorporate an explosive mix in a metal pipe that is ignited with a light-bulb filament and detonated by command wire. However, military sources say these devices are now found widely around the world. Details of these pipe bombs are even found on the internet.
Only loyalist terrorist groups in Northern Ireland use them now. The IRA long ago moved on to manufacturing much more sophisticated devices.
Sources point out, also, that the exchange of technical information on bomb-making between the IRA and other terrorist and guerrilla groups around the world has been going on for 30 years.
It has long been known that the IRA has links in the Middle East, particularly with the PLO and the Hizbullah in Lebanon stemming from the early 1970s.
The IRA sent members to Lebanon both to train and learn from the guerrilla groups there.
It is believed that the IRA/Hizbullah relationship led to the development of roadside mine and "secondary" mine attacks. This tactic - where a diversionary bomb is detonated to attract more military targets to an area and then followed by a more devastating bomb - was used by Hizbullah against Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in south Lebanon and against the British army in Northern Ireland.
The most devastating example of this secondary bomb tactic was at Warrenpoint, Co Down in August 1979 when 15 British soldiers died in two large explosions.
This tactic has now transferred Colombia. It was used in an attack two weeks ago in the city of Villavicencio killing 12 young people attending a disco.
A small primary bomb was detonated near a disco, apparently with the intention of drawing police into the area. However, when the second 50 kg bomb in the boot of a car detonated, it killed 12 teenagers instead of the intended targets. No claim of responsibility was made but it is believed either FARC or the other Colombian guerrilla group ELN (National Liberation Army) was responsible. ELN attempted to kill Colombia's Finance Minister, Mr Rudolf Hummes, near Villavicencio in January.
Last week's Congressional hearings in Washington heard claims that the IRA has been training Colombian guerrilla forces in the building and use of improvised explosive devices and mortars, probably in exchange for large amounts of money.
Both FARC and ELN control large sections of Colombia's cocaine trade and have millions of US dollars available to pay groups willing to assist them. Senior security sources here say they believe the IRA has been involved in training FARC for up to three years and concur with the Congressional hearing's evidence that up to 15 IRA figures have visited the country.