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ROE Case Study:Defending Against Suicide Attacks
United KingdomSri Lanka
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Yemen
Iraq
United States
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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
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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
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• ROE define:– When, where, how
much force– Who is authorized to
decide– to accomplish mission,
defend self & others– & minimize “friendly-
fire”
Strategic, Operational, Tactical Considerations
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• ROE must be constantly reviewed during operations
Strategic, Operational, Tactical Considerations
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Unit Self-Defense ROE
• Basis: UN Charter Article 51
• Requirements: Necessity & Proportionality
• Necessity: hostile act but also hostile intent ?
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• Proportionate Force– U.S. definition – “shoot-to-wound” or “shoot-to-stop”?
Unit Self-Defense ROE
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• 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
Unit Self-Defense ROE
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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
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• Warn, fire upon if necessary
• When possible use escalating measures
• Lethal force as last resort
ROE: Defending Against Suicide Attacks on Land
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Attacks on Land:Tactics, Techniques, Procedures
• Position• Fields of fire• Create barriers• Post signs• Shout warnings• Combat vehicles• Safe distance
Army FM3-21.9
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• Detection dogs
• Heavy clothing
• Hands in pockets
• Low-riding vehicle
• Order people out
• Public awareness
Attacks on Land:Tactics, Techniques, Procedures
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Airport Road
Route V
ernon overpass
Alert line
Warning line
•Blocking vehicle to alert line =118m
•Blocking vehicle to warning line = 83 m
•Length of ramp = 223m
N
Not to scale
Roadblock 541
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Airport Road
Route V
ernon overpassAlert line
Warning 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
Roadblock 541
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ROE for Convoy & PatrolAgainst Suicide Attacks
• Establish minimum safe distance
• Warn, fire upon if necessary
• When possible, use escalating measures
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ROE Against Suicide Boat Attack
• Set minimum safe distances
• Escalated warnings
• Open fire if necessary
• Tactics: – In port– Weapons– Foreign port– Picket boats
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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
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• Who decides to shoot?
• How much force?
• Use of warnings?
• Balance effective use of force against risk of mistake
Common Issues