ROE Case Study: Defending Against Suicide Attacks

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

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. Strategic, Operational, Tactical Considerations • ROE define: • When, where, how much force • Who is authorized to decide • to accomplish mission, defend self & others • & minimize “friendly-fire”

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

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

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

8. 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

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

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

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

14. Terrain Airport Mansour District Roadblock 541

15. Roadblock 541 “Route Vernon” Airport Road

16. Alert line Roadblock 541 N Warning line • Blocking vehicle to alert line =118m • Blocking vehicle to warning line = 83 m • Length of ramp = 223m Route Vernon overpass Airport Road Not to scale

17. Incident at Roadblock 541:Baghdad Airport Road, March, 2005 Giuliana Sgrena Nicola Calipari

18. Alert line Roadblock 541 • 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 Warning line Route Vernon overpass Airport Road

19. ROE for Convoy & PatrolAgainst 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. Common Issues • Who decides to shoot? • How much force? • Use of warnings? • Balance effective use of force against risk of mistake

23. Training Considerations • General Training • Scenario Briefings • Situational Exercises

24. Conclusion