After Action Review

Abstract

The London Bombings of 2005 and the Oklahoma Bombing of 1995 are the events of the same nature. Both of these events caused havoc in the countries taking the lives of a number of innocent people and injury many others, while causing huge damage to the property and land in both countries. Both were estimated to have caused loss millions of pounds and dollars to the government of the United Kingdom and the United States respectively. This paper aims to compare and contrast both of these events in order to identify the similarities and differences amongst them.

7 July 2005 London bombings

The bombings, which took place, in London on July 5 occurred as a result of four consecutive terrorist bombs. British suicide bombers had their hands behind setting of these bombs which exploded on a bus and the London Underground. 52 people died as a result of this bombing. Soon after the event a massive response emerged from the emergency services, after which the entire system of London's public transport was shutdown. A number of security alerts were announced throughout the country, in the following days of the bombings, as well as in some other cities outside the United Kingdom (www.martinfrost.ws).

Security Responses in London

Within few minutes of emergence of explosion reports, the Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, was activated. It functioned 24/7 throughout the week.

In the hours proceeding to the bombings, The London Underground was shutdown. It remained closed until the next day and that also with lesser service.

The Piccadilly and the Circle Line, which connected Holloway Road, to Hyde Park remained closed. Various other lines remained dislocated in the affected areas. Security alerts also served as the cause of disruption.

During July 7, the Bus system of London was suspended completely. All the buses were returned to bus stations for security check purposes. On, July 8, services resumed to their normal schedule; however, the services in affected areas remain closed.

Major buildings of London including Buckingham Palace, the US Embassy and the Houses of Parliament were sealed as a result of security responses. Apart from this, noteworthy land marks such as the Westminster Abbey and the London Eye were also closed. Various concerts and theatre productions in the West End were postponed. Moreover, The Bank of England initiated financial continuity plans, in order to keep the financial system in function.

Legal Reaction

The Home Secretary of the UK, Charles Clarke, declared an anti-terror bill in the parliament, which also gained support from other parties. This bill was declared as a law by the end of 2005. Criminal acts leading to terrorism which may include looking for or offering terrorist training in the home country or overseas, the access to any websites comprising of knowledge related to terror tactics and bomb-making were termed as indirect encouragement to terrorism by this law.

Terrorist act 2006 was the name given to this law. One thing, which is worth-mentioning, is that despite gaining support from the other parties, this law gave rise to a controversy, as a result ...