Introduction
To the squad leader from platoon sergeants: this is a decision briefing. It is unclassified. The problem is to raise awareness of information to provide all types of support for the battalion while reducing civilian casualties. Essentially, the nature of the protection of civilians is like risk management, namely risk reduction from the effects of war. In this regard, it is recommended to draw up two action plans, in which the risks of ongoing operations are minimized, and in the second, risks are accepted for missions. Firstly, it is necessary to carry out preventive educational work among the population, especially in displacement, when citizens are forced to seek support from army units. Secondly, the question of military advantage is open; in this regard, the methods of warfare must be prudent, following the principle of proportionality (ATP 3-07.6 Protection of Civilians, 2015). Finally, within the framework of the plans, it is necessary to prevent any manifestations of discrimination to avoid conflict within the population.
Facts and Assumptions
Afghanistan is an unsafe place for the civilian population due to the fighting. According to statistics, since 2001, about 104,000 people have died in Afghanistan; more than 31,000 of them were civilians. Since then, another 41,000 civilians have been injured. The leading cause of civilian casualties was ground fighting between militants and troops in residential areas. A fierce struggle is being waged against the terrorist organization’s ISIS and the Taliban in this area. The use of mortars and artillery poses a threat to the civilian population due to the inaccuracy and large radius of destruction of the listed guns. First of all, it is necessary to create a safe environment. In addition, direct operations to protect and eliminate the risk of limiting the actions of other actors also aimed at supporting the civilian population, which corresponds to two main ways to protect civilians.
Solution and Analysis
The solutions are presented in the form of two action plans. The first is precautionary to create a safe environment for the mission. The second of these is reactive concerning ongoing operational activities. However, both plans correlate with each other and converge on the point of necessary educational and preventive activities for fellow citizens to offer them options for action in case of unforeseen circumstances. Further, the plans differ: the plan for the mission requires the evacuation of civilians from a combat zone three times larger than the radius of destruction of the alleged weapons. Since the movement of citizens also poses a risk, it is necessary to allocate more human resources than usual for the evacuation to prevent sabotage and of representatives of a terrorist organization into the group. The second plan contains fewer concrete actions and involves allocating resources to support the population in the provision, conduct of hostilities, and risk mitigation by the population itself.
Comparison and Conclusion
In comparing the two plans, one should rely primarily on the information available to the battalion commander. If an operation is planned shortly, it is necessary to start the first plan in advance to avoid risks to the civilian population through evacuation. On the other hand, if the operation is delayed and the area itself is not the closest to the epicenter of hostilities, it is necessary to take the time to educate citizens on all critical issues and allocate various types of assistance and support in case of future hostilities. The decision of the briefing remains with the squad leader, as it requires additional information (FM 6-0 Commander and Staff Organization and Operations, 2014). The main recommendation is to make a decision as soon as possible since, in the current conditions, the risks for the population are growing quite quickly, and it is essential to prevent potential conflicts, the introduction of terrorist representatives, and unrest within the population.
References
ATP 3-07.6 Protection of Civilians. (2015). Web.
FM 6-0 Commander and Staff Organization and Operations. (2014). Web.