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Counter-terrorism facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Combined Task Force 151 - 090211-N-1082Z-111
Suspected pirates keep their hands up.

Counter-terrorism is all about stopping and fighting against terrorism. It's a big job usually handled by governments, their armed forces, police departments, and special teams trained for this purpose. Their main goal is to keep people safe from terrorist attacks.

What is Counter-Terrorism?

Counter-terrorism means taking action to prevent terrorist acts from happening. It also involves responding when attacks do occur. The people who work in counter-terrorism try to understand why terrorism happens and how to stop it.

How Does Counter-Terrorism Work?

There are different ways to do counter-terrorism. A very important part is to stop terrorism before it even starts.

Preventing Attacks

One way to prevent attacks is by gathering information. This means trying to find out about plans to commit terrorism. If a plan is discovered, the people involved might be arrested. Also, extra security can be sent to protect the place or people that were going to be attacked. This helps to keep everyone safe.

Responding to Attacks

Sometimes, a terrorist plan isn't discovered until it's already happening. When this occurs, police or special counter-terrorism soldiers are sent in. Their job is to try and stop the terrorists from completing their plan. This often means they have to face the terrorists directly.

Images for kids

  • Magav-Facebook--Yamam-0009

    Yamam, one of Israel's counter-terrorism units.

  • Verrazano-Narrows Bridge-NYC

    United States Coast Guard on counter-terrorism patrol in Upper New York Bay. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in the distance spanning The Narrows between Brooklyn (left) and Staten Island (right).

  • לוחמי הקומנדו הימי

    Shayetet 13, the Israeli naval special forces.

  • U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ryan Burks, a squad leader with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, provides security during a mission rehearsal at Camp Bastion, Helmand province 130527-M-QZ858-089

    U.S. Marines in Afghanistan

  • Operation Guardian of the Walls, May 2021. XVIII

    Iron Dome air defense system. It intercepts artillery rockets fired by terrorists onto Israeli cities and towns.

  • UTK PGK broke the door

    Royal Malaysia Police Pasukan Gerakan Khas officers

  • Transparent garbage bins at Central station

    Transparent garbage bin installed at Central station in Sydney so police can check its contents

  • FBI Hostage Rescue Team Agents bei einer Übung

    FBI Hostage Rescue Team agents

  • Véhicule intervention GIGN

    Assault car of the French GIGN.

  • SEK-Einsatz vom Schlauchboot (10584688934)

    SEK members of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) during an exercise

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Contraterrorismo para niños

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