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    Eliseth Kyroz Skyvell
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    Urban operations involve combat in dense urban areas which provide a complex three-dimensional battlefield of buildings, alleys, tunnels and subways that defenders can use for cover and concealment while exposing attackers. Close quarters combat in urban areas typically involves small units at ranges under 100 meters and requires specially trained forces while carefully considering rules of engagement to limit civilian casualties and collateral damage to infrastructure. Thorough intelligence and understanding of human factors is important for mission success in urban operations due to the presence of civilians and complexity of the urban environment.

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    Urban operations involve combat in dense urban areas which provide a complex three-dimensional battlefield of buildings, alleys, tunnels and subways that defenders can use for cover and concealment while exposing attackers. Close quarters combat in urban areas typically involves small units at ranges under 100 meters and requires specially trained forces while carefully considering rules of engagement to limit civilian casualties and collateral damage to infrastructure. Thorough intelligence and understanding of human factors is important for mission success in urban operations due to the presence of civilians and complexity of the urban environment.

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    17 views2 pages

    Reading Urban Operations

    Uploaded by

    Eliseth Kyroz Skyvell
    Urban operations involve combat in dense urban areas which provide a complex three-dimensional battlefield of buildings, alleys, tunnels and subways that defenders can use for cover and concealment while exposing attackers. Close quarters combat in urban areas typically involves small units at ranges under 100 meters and requires specially trained forces while carefully considering rules of engagement to limit civilian casualties and collateral damage to infrastructure. Thorough intelligence and understanding of human factors is important for mission success in urban operations due to the presence of civilians and complexity of the urban environment.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    URBAN OPERATIONS

    1. Read the text on Urban Operations and answer the questions.

    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?

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