2. LESSONS
A. Asymmetric Threats – Need for Continuous Attention and
Improvement (Lesson #2645)
Observation.
The UN has made noteworthy strides toward protecting its personnel on peacekeeping
missions; however, deployments to operational environments with an array of asymmetric
threats require continued vigilance and better protection measures.
Discussion.
Over the 2001-2018 timeframe, peacekeeping operations have witnessed a noticeable
increase in the total number of fatalities linked to actions from asymmetric threats. One
mission in particular has seen an inordinate number of fatalities – namely, the UN
Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). With asymmetric
threats becoming common in peacekeeping environments, it is imperative that the UN
continue to improve its preparedness, capacities, and capabilities to counter such threats.
Besides the responsibility to protect their own personnel and resources, numerous UN
peacekeeping missions have also been tasked to protect civilians or stabilize the security
situation – sometimes within environments of ongoing violence/conflict. Conflict parties
and/or “spoilers” of the peace have been active in/around peacekeepers (MONUSCO/
Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNMISS/South Sudan, others) and sometimes against
peacekeepers (MINUSMA/Mali and AMISOM/Somalia). In such environments, peace-
keepers have been confronted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines, suicide
bombings, mortar attacks, ambushes, armed riots, hostage situations, and other acts of
violence.
The June 2015 Report of the High-Level Independent Panel on United Nations Peace
Operations (“HIPPO Report”) concluded:
“… where asymmetric threats are present in the operating environment,
UN missions must be provided with the necessary capabilities and training.
In addition, an appropriate concept of operations and rules of engagement
are required to protect itself and deliver its mandate, including through a
preventive and preemptive posture and willingness to use force tactically to
protect civilians and UN personnel. Troop- and police-contributing countries
must be fully appraised of the conditions of the operating environment and
threat assessments and deploy with the requisite capability and political will
to confront such contingencies with full respect for clear and unified UN
command and control.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon concurred with the HIPPO findings. In his 2 September
2015 report on the implementation of the recommendations of the HIPPO report, he
indicated that as peacekeepers deploy in asymmetric threat environments, they must be
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