A Look At Russia's Rules Of Engagement In Syria

© Russia's Defense Ministry's Press and Information Department/TASS

Strategy Page: Murphy's Law: The Russian ROE In Syria

In the last year the U.S. led air coalition has use about 20,000 guided bombs and missiles against ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) targets in Syria and Iraq. Many of the pilots delivering these air strikes are dubious about their effectiveness. That’s because so many steps are required before a target can be hit. There are few American air controllers on the ground in Iraq and often none in Syria (where only special operations troops sometimes operate). The final release (of weapons) decision is made by an American general and only after lawyers and intel analysts have scrutinized the aerial evidence (sometimes augmented by reports from the ground) to ensure that situation complies with the ROE (Rules of Engagement). Pilots are supposed to keep quiet about what goes on out there and most are but there are a growing number of anecdotal reports of prime targets avoiding destruction because of timidity by those in charge of approving targets or the approval process going on for so long that the target opportunity disappeared.

WNU Editor: Russia's rules of engagement are quite simple. The ground observers call it in .... or .... if the pilot sees someone that walks like a terrorist, act like a terrorist, carries a gun like a terrorist, it is probably a terrorist .... hence, bombs away. But what I find interesting about this post from the Strategy Page is their brief summary on America's rules of engagement. It is quite an eye-opener.