1 ROE Case Study: Defending Against Suicide Attacks United Kingdom Sri Lanka Pakistan Afghanistan Yemen Iraq United States

2 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

3 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

4 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

5 ROE must be constantly reviewed during operations Strategic, Operational, Tactical Considerations

6 Unit Self-Defense ROE Basis: UN Charter Article 51 Requirements: Necessity & Proportionality Necessity: hostile act but also hostile intent ?

7 Proportionate Force – U.S. definition –“shoot-to-wound” or “shoot-to-stop”? Unit Self-Defense ROE

8 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

9 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

10 Warn, fire upon if necessary When possible use escalating measures Lethal force as last resort ROE: Defending Against Suicide Attacks on Land

11 Attacks on Land: Tactics, Techniques, Procedures Position Fields of fire Create barriers Post signs Shout warnings Combat vehicles Safe distance Army FM3-21.9

12 Detection dogs Heavy clothing Hands in pockets Low-riding vehicle Order people out Public awareness Attacks on Land: Tactics, Techniques, Procedures

13 Incident at Roadblock 541: Baghdad Airport Road, March, 2005

14 Airport Roadblock 541 Mansour District Terrain

15 Roadblock 541 Airport Road “Route Vernon”

16 Airport Road Route Vernon 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

17 Incident at Roadblock 541: Baghdad Airport Road, March, 2005 Giuliana SgrenaNicola Calipari

18 Airport Road Route Vernon overpass Alert 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

19 ROE for Convoy & Patrol Against Suicide Attacks Establish minimum safe distance Warn, fire upon if necessary When possible, use escalating measures

20 ROE Against Suicide Boat Attack Set minimum safe distances Escalated warnings Open fire if necessary Tactics: –In port –Weapons –Foreign port –Picket boats

21 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

22 Who decides to shoot? How much force? Use of warnings? Balance effective use of force against risk of mistake Common Issues

23 Training Considerations General Training Scenario Briefings Situational Exercises

24 Conclusion

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