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Reading Urban Operations
Reading Urban Operations
In recent times, soldiers have often been deployed in unconventional scenarios, the
so-called Urban Operations, that is, war operations in urban areas. Aside from the
complexity of the urban landscape, one of the key factors in urban warfare is the
presence of civilians.
Cities are a three-dimensional battlefield: they include tall buildings (air level),
bridges, narrow alleys (ground level), sewage tunnels and sometimes a subway
system (underground level). The buldings provide cover and concealment, while
also providing excellent posts for snipers alleys and rubble-filled streets are ideal for
concealments, ambushes and booby traps. Defenders may have the advantage of
detailed lacal knowledge of the area they can hide in buildings set up as ready-made
fortifications, or move from one part of the city to another using underground tunnels
or through paths that are not on maps. Meanwhile, the attackers are more exposed
than the defenders as they must use the open streets more often, and are obviously
unfamiliar with the hidden routes known to defenders. Moreover, since urban attacks
occur mostly at close range (100 meters or less), smaller units (squads) are usually
the central players in urban conflict and they are more likely to fall into ambushes
laid down by small groups of defendants.
Anti-tank weapons or other devices can effectively destroy entire columns of modern
armour while artillery and air support can be severely reduced if the attacking party
wants to limit civilian casualties as much as possible, but the derending party does
not (or even uses civilians as human shields
A thorough knowledge of the area and possibly some experience from past
operations are mandatory while operating in urban areas. Due to their physical and
human complexity, such operations are highly demanding in terms of intelligence,
time, manpower, equipment, and supplies. Hence, a comprehensive and systematic
approach aiming to put out hostile elements and enable those elements essential to
the city's Good functioning is crucial.
Close combat in urban operations requires properly trained and equipped forces,
and has the potential for a high number of casualties. So, several Countries have
created simulated urban training zones, where their armed forces can be trained in
set-up scenarios, simulating urban warfare situations: the goal is to ensure that
soldiers are not surprised by anything they see.
In Urban Operations, it may sSometimes be difficult to distinguish civilians from
combatants such as armed militias and criminal gangs, and particularly from
individuals who are simply trying to protect their homes from attackers. So, any move
regarding the civilian population must be carefully taken into consideration before
getting into action: the rules of engagement (ROE) are very strict in order to limit
collateral damage such as structural damage and civilian casualties.
Additionally, the interaction of non-fighting civilians with friencly or hostile forces play
a crucial role in the outcomes of UOs. Understanding a wide variety of human factors
(lacal cultural, political, social, economic, and religious) is pivotal to mission success.
1. What is the main difference between combat in the open, and combat in an
urban zone?
2. Why are cities called 'a three-dimensional battlefield'?
3. Why are attackers more exposed than defenders?
4. What is the most employed military formation in urban operations?
5. What collateral damage is possible in urban combat?
6. What is the goal of urban warfare simulation training?