What is considered the primary effect of a blast from an IED?

The primary effect of a blast from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is fragmentation. When an IED detonates, it produces a shock wave that generates shrapnel and debris. This fragmentation can cause severe injuries to individuals within range, as the sharp and fast-moving pieces can penetrate skin and cause significant trauma. The design of many IEDs intentionally incorporates materials that create sharp fragments to maximize their lethality and damage.

While other effects such as vibration, psychological impact, and fire do occur during an IED explosion, they are secondary compared to the immediate and direct threat posed by fragmentation. Vibration may contribute to the overall impact of the blast but does not have the same potential to cause injury as fragmentation. The psychological impact is significant in terms of fear and trauma among those affected, but it does not equate to the physical harm caused by flying debris. Fire may result from the explosion as well, but it is a consequence rather than the primary mechanism of injury in an IED blast.