Canada plans mock IED attacks in Washington, D.C.

Canadian authorities plan to build a sham Afghan village in Washington, D.C., then attack it with IEDs and fake Taliban fighters, in an effort to illustrate what it's like to be a Canadian soldier deployed to the country.

On Sept. 23 and 24, during a two-day military conference, the Canadian embassy will set up the dramatic assault on its courtyard. The demonstration will include armed soldiers and explosive displays, with U.S. generals and members of the U.S. Congress expected to be looking on.

Globe and Mail writer Paul Koring reported: "'If this works the way I want it to, more Americans will know what Canada is doing in Afghanistan,' said Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas Martin, a military attaché at the Canadian embassy."

Koring added: "Whether they will send jumpy tourists and Washingtonians on Pennsylvania Avenue fleeing in fear remains unknown, but embassy officials say they have a green light from the Secret Service, the State Department and the D.C. fire marshal."

Canadian officials also said they hope U.S. Marines will take place in the dramatic rendition, which will see them attacked by explosives as they arrive in the mock village.

The Canadian embassy is located between the White House and U.S. Capitol. Col. Martin also added that the explosions will "absolutely" be heard on Pennsylvania avenue, where the president lives.

"Hmm..." begins Joshua Keating at Foreign Policy magazine. "[Loud] explosions on Pennsylvania Avenue with armed soldiers and 'Afghans' running around. What could possibly go wrong?"

"That Air Force One Manhattan flyover doesn't seem quite so bad anymore," he added.

"It is difficult to imagine, regardless of however much effort the Canadian Embassy eventually puts into warning the public that this is merely a simulation – and we should note that so far, there's been almost none – that tourists and D.C. residents alike in the area will not be shaken up by this," noted Washington blog dcist.

Over 100 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since U.S.-led forces invaded the country in 2001.