ROE Case Study:
Defending Against Suicide Attacks
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Pakistan
Yemen
United States
Afghanistan
1
Iraq
Introduction
• Rules of Engagement (ROE) critical to
effective defense
• Must comply with the law relevant in:
– internal disturbances & tensions
– internal armed conflict
– international armed conflict
2
Strategic, Operational, Tactical
Considerations
• Civilian leadership
approval of ROE
– weigh protection of civilians
& soldiers against
probability of incidental
injury and collateral damage
• Military commanders use
ROE to give guidance on
force to be used
3
Strategic, Operational, Tactical
Considerations
• ROE define:
– When, where, how
much force
– Who is authorized to
decide
– to accomplish mission,
defend self & others
– & minimize “friendlyfire”
4
Strategic, Operational, Tactical
Considerations
• ROE must be
constantly
reviewed during
operations
5
Unit Self-Defense ROE
• Basis: UN Charter
Article 51
• Requirements:
Necessity &
Proportionality
• Necessity: hostile
act but also hostile
intent ?
6
Unit Self-Defense ROE
• Proportionate Force
– U.S. definition
– “shoot-to-wound” or “shoot-to-stop”?
7
Unit Self-Defense ROE
• U.S. Self-Defense ROE:
– When possible, warn & give opportunity to
withdraw
– attack when only prudent means available
– pursue only if hostile act or hostile intent
continues
• Tactics,
Techniques, &
Procedures
8
ROE: Defending Against Suicide
Attacks on Land
• Checkpoint or
Roadblock
• Deliberate or Hasty
• Factors:
– Mission
– Enemy
– Terrain
– Troops Available
– Time
– Civilians
Army FM3-21.9
9
ROE: Defending Against Suicide
Attacks on Land
• Warn, fire upon if
necessary
• When possible use
escalating measures
• Lethal force as last
resort
10
Attacks on Land:
Tactics, Techniques, Procedures
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Position
Fields of fire
Create barriers
Post signs
Shout warnings
Combat vehicles
Safe distance
Army FM3-21.9
11
Attacks on Land:
Tactics, Techniques, Procedures
•
•
•
•
•
•
Detection dogs
Heavy clothing
Hands in pockets
Low-riding vehicle
Order people out
Public awareness
12
Incident at Roadblock 541:
Baghdad Airport Road, March, 2005
13
Terrain
Airport
Mansour District
Roadblock 541
14
Roadblock 541
15
Roadblock 541
Alert line
N
•Blocking vehicle to alert
line =118m
•Blocking vehicle to
warning line = 83 m
•Length of ramp = 223m
Airport Road
Not to scale
16
Incident at Roadblock 541:
Baghdad Airport Road, March, 2005
Giuliana Sgrena
Nicola Calipari
17
Roadblock 541
Alert line
•Blocking vehicle to alert
line =118m
•Blocking vehicle to
warning line = 83 m
•Blocking vehicle to
disabled vehicle stop
point = 38m
• Disabled vehicle stop
point to warning line =
45m
•Length of ramp = 223m
Airport Road
18
ROE for Convoy & Patrol
Against Suicide Attacks
• Establish minimum
safe distance
• Warn, fire upon if
necessary
• When possible, use
escalating measures
19
ROE Against Suicide Boat Attack
• Set minimum safe
distances
• Escalated warnings
• Open fire if
necessary
• Tactics:
– In port
– Weapons
– Foreign port
– Picket boats
20
ROE Against Suicide Planes
• Warn, fire upon if
necessary
• Tactics:
– Air defense
identification zones
– No-fly zones
– Integrate radar
– Combat air patrol,
anti-aircraft units
– Evacuate civilians
21
Common Issues
• Who decides to
shoot?
• How much force?
• Use of warnings?
• Balance effective
use of force
against risk of
mistake
22
Training Considerations
• General Training
• Scenario Briefings
• Situational Exercises
23
Conclusion
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