Subterranean warfare, has been a vital component of military tactics since ancient times, and is proving to be increasingly relevant in modern conflict scenarios. This tactic utilizes underground spaces in urban environments to gain an advantage in addressing challenges of combating non-state actors and terrorism. By integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and unmanned ground vehicles, it enhances situational awareness and decision-making, setting it apart in today’s technological landscape. Consequently, subterranean warfare plays a significant role in present-day military operations, particularly in asymmetric conflicts and urban warfare scenarios. As covert operations beneath the surface become a crucial determinant of conflict outcomes, the development of advanced subterranean warfare tactics will be essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the evolving context of conflict.
Non-state actors and insurgents have been known to employ underground tunnels and networks as a means of gaining strategic advantage in modern conflicts. These advantages include the ability to move undetected due to the low-visibility, which allows them to evade capture and launch surprise attacks on their enemies. Additionally, tunnels serve as secure locations for storing weapons, ammunition, and supplies, thus ensuring continuity of operations.
In situations where military pressure is exerted, insurgents can leverage the underground to hide and shift positions constantly, thereby maintaining the tempo of activities. Non-state actors and insurgents utilise underground tunnels for smuggling weapons, goods, and people across borders, bypassing traditional security measures and checkpoints. Insurgents also use tunnels and networks for propaganda purposes, hosting secret meetings, training camps to indoctrinate new members, and as communication hubs.
The restricted space and unpredictable layouts of underground networks render it challenging for soldiers to navigate proficiently. This hindrance not only affects their speed of movement but also impairs their overall operational performance.
Communication in subterranean environments can be harshly impaired due to factors like poor signal penetration, limited line-of-sight, and the presence of noise and vibrations. This impedes commanders’ ability to coordinate their forces and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the battlefield.
Furthermore, achieving situational awareness in subterranean warfare is extremely difficult due to the absence of natural light, restricted visibility, and the complexity of underground networks. It is arduous for soldiers to identify potential threats, locate their own troops, and navigate through the environment. To operate effectively under such conditions, specialised training and equipment are indispensable for overcoming the unique physical and psychological challenges inherent in subterranean warfare.
Also, the intricacy of underground networks can make it challenging for military forces to locate and neutralise all threats. The presence of numerous interconnected tunnels, chambers, and concealed passages offers enemy forces ample opportunities to evade detection and launch surprise attacks.
The evolution of technology has significantly facilitated the identification and location of subterranean hideouts. Ground-penetrating radar, thermal imaging, and advanced seismic sensors enable the detection of tunnels and underground structures. Drones equipped with cameras and surveillance tools provide valuable intelligence on the location and activities of insurgents and terrorists operating within underground networks.
Effective communication and navigation are pivotal for successful subterranean warfare. Military forces must utilise specialized equipment, such as radio systems designed for confined spaces and GPS devices capable of functioning underground. Additionally, troops must undergo training in navigating complex tunnel systems using maps, markers, and other tools to maintain situational awareness and prevent disorientation.
In modern conflicts, specialized military units, such as Israel’s Kfir unit, are trained to excel in subterranean warfare. These forces, possessing advanced technologies and skills, effectively navigate and combat in underground environments. They play a pivotal role in detecting and neutralizing subterranean threats and acquiring critical intelligence.
The Kfir unit’s involvement in the “Tunnel Storm” operation in 2013 exemplifies their expertise in subterranean warfare. The mission targeted tunnels meant for smuggling between Gaza and Egypt. By leveraging their advanced technologies and specialized skills, they navigated complex tunnel systems, identified hidden passageways, and neutralized threats. Their ability to maintain situational awareness in dark and confined spaces enabled precise and efficient mission execution.
The success of the “Tunnel Storm” operation underscores the importance of specialized units like Kfir in addressing the unique challenges posed by subterranean warfare. Their expertise and dedication in overcoming these challenges have proven invaluable in ensuring a strategic edge in the face of evolving threats.
In confronting the complex challenge of eliminating entrenched Hamas militants and dismantling their command-and-control infrastructure within an extensive network of underground tunnels, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) employed the Kfir Brigade. This specialized Arabic-speaking special forces unit was trained for intricate anti-terror operations. The IDF considered various options, such as physical assault, chemical gases, or flooding the suspected militant tunnels. Flooding the tunnels could involve laying pipelines from the sea, utilising scarce aquifers, or transporting water in tankers to prevent depleting limited potable water resources intended for the local population. By flooding the tunnels, ammunition, equipment, and stored provisions would have been submerged, impacting Hamas’s operational capabilities and sustainability.
Punit Shyam Gore
