With cell phones it is a bit more complicated because it takes a coded signal to make a cell phone ring.
On the other hand they may be able to use microwaves to burn out the electronics. But they would also burn out any other electronics close by.
Crazy idea time...
Cell phones have to periodically “register” with the local cell. Basically say “I’m here, this is my ID, etc.” That way they can get incoming calls. ie. when you call it, the cell system’s computer says “Oh, Habib? His phone is in cell xyz.” and routes the call out that cell tower. Hence the “cell” system, instead of broadcast.
So at any given time, the cell system knows which phones are by which towers...
So suppose I’m sending a convoy down the road from the airport to the green zone. How about I ask the cell system to ring every phone in range of every tower along that route? You, me, and the rest of the normal people get a non-caller-ID ring and hang up... Habib and his buddies placing the IED get toasted when it prematurely detonates...
Seems like it could work...