4.13.VEHICLE CLEARANCE
4.13.1. INTRODUCTION
Armed groups make use of VBIED’s as they offer specific advantages. These include providing an easy method to transport large main charges, being easy to obtain, and not looking out of place in most environments. Vehicles present a complex set of challenges in MA IEDD due to their variation in design and the ease of concealment of IED components. Vehicle clearance is a combination of search (to find explosive hazards) and IEDD (to dispose of the explosive hazard). Threat assessment is once again essential. It ensures that the IED is not in a conflict situation, dictates the degree to which search needs to be conducted and also the most suitable disposal option. Vehicle clearance is an IMAS IEDD Level 3+ advance skills competency 5 and can be used in conjunction with other associated techniques and procedures such as the use of VBIED disruptors and extractors. This sub-section is not a prescriptive manual on how to conduct vehicle clearance, but serves to inform a logical methodology. It would not be possible to give one set procedure that covers every possible scenario, as the threat assessment and equipment available will differ. If these tasks are to be conducted, MA organisations should produce SOPs and technical notes that set out the specifics on how vehicle clearance is to be conducted with the equipment available to their IEDD teams.
ׁ WARNING. The guidance given here is specific to humanitarian IEDD and legacy IEDs, it is not appropriate for an active conflict scenario. In such contexts neither IMAS nor this guide can be safely applied and the work is the responsibility of the security forces.
4.13.2.WHY IS CONDUCTING VEHICLE CLEARANCE ‘GOOD PRACTICE’? Vehicles offer multiple opportunities for the concealment of IEDs, secondary devices and other explosive hazards such as SALW ammunition. This provides armed groups with lots of possibilities and therefore the threat can be diverse, ranging from the simple to the complex ‘come on’ 6 style situation. This makes the safe, effective and efficient clearance of a vehicle very difficult for an MA IEDD operator. By adopting dedicated systematic vehicle clearance procedures, an MA IEDD operator can counter these complexities and clear a vehicle in a structured manner. 4.13.3.CLEARANCE Prior to starting vehicle clearance, the IEDD operator must have conducted a thorough threat assessment (see Chapter 3, Section 2.7. IED Tactics – VBIEDs, for general information). This will inform the priority of clearance and how it will be conducted. The foundation of vehicle clearance is built on the principle of a structured and systematic procedure. The MA IEDD operator should work in ever decreasing stages, from far to close, top to bottom. This will aid in identifying larger threats first and prevent working solely in one area of the vehicle whilst a greater threat remains undetected in another part.
5 T&EP 09.31/01/2019, Annex B. 6 A style of attack where the target is lured into a specific area to be subsequently attacked.
IEDD techniques and procedures
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