Subterranean warfare
Subterranean warfare or underground warfare is warfare conducted underneath the ground surface. It predominantly includes tunnel warfare, which is conducted in tunnels and underground cavities, both natural (such as caves) and artificial (such as sewerage and subway systems).
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Underground military facilities play a key role in many nations, and there are more than 10,000 underground military facilities worldwide. As such, underground warfare is a nearly inevitable component of modern conflicts.[1]
Combatants often go underground to counteract overmatch such as that faced when taking on a superpower. Underground environments generally protect from surface attacks and aerial attacks such as airstrikes and artillery barrages, and are also generally dark, enclosed, and well-protected, making them difficult for even experienced forces to effectively fight in.[2]
History
Subterranean warfare was occasionally carried out during World War II. Examples are the defense of the Adzhimushkay quarry, or the use of the Odessa Catacombs during guerilla warfare by Soviet partisans.
In 21st century the issue of readiness to subterranean warfare was raised before the U.S. military in view of Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip.[3] A December 11, 2013 request for information entitled "Technologies to enhance warfighter capabilities in subterranean environments" states in part:[4]
In an effort to defeat United States (US) intelligence and weapons technologies and to gain tactical and operational advantages both Military and irregular threats have begun relocating, and redeploying functions into subterranean operational environments (SbT OE). The growing use of tunnels and underground facilities (UGF) by military and irregular forces to gain a tactical advantage is becoming more sophisticated and increasingly effective, making the likelihood of US Forces encountering military-purposed subterranean structures on future battlefields high. The Middle East is full of ancient and modern underground systems that can be used as assets for the enemy forces. In the US, both the northern and southern borders of the nation have had tunnels discovered connecting the US to Canada and Mexico being used by criminal elements for human smuggling, drug running, and other illegal activities.
Director Robert Ashley of the Defense Intelligence Agency stated in 2018 that the United States Department of Defense is considering making "underground" a new domain, in anticipation of a future increase in urban warfare.[5]
References
- Richelson, Jeffrey T. "U.S. Intelligence: Hiding of Military Assets by "Rogue Nations" and Other States a Major Security Challenge for 21st Century". gwu.edu. George Washington University. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
- South, Todd (27 February 2019). "The subterranean battlefield: Warfare is going underground, into dark, tight spaces". Military Times. Todd South. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- Hamas tactics highlight U.S. military’s preparation for tunnel warfare, Dan Lamothe, July 21, 2014
- "99--Technologies to enhance warfighter capabilities in subterranean environments" (retrieved May 30, 2016)
- Tucker, Patrick (June 26, 2018). "'Underground' May Be the U.S. Military's Next Warfighting Domain". Atlantic Media.