A flying checkpoint or hasty checkpoint is a military and police tactic involving the set up of a hasty roadblock primarily by mobile truck-mounted infantry or police units in order to disrupt unauthorized or unwanted movement and/or military activity.[1]
Hasty checkpoints are set up to achieve surprise as opposed to a known permanently located manned checkpoint. They might established in locations where they cannot be observed by approaching traffic until it is too late to withdraw and escape without being observed. [2]
The unit establishing the checkpoint must carry the materials necessary to construct it. It might use a vehicle, or multiple vehicles, reinforced with concertina wire, or other objects as the main obstacle. The vehicles might be positioned to partially or entirely block the road or route. The search area might be the space between multiple vehicles. Sentries might be positioned at each end of the checkpoint and are covered by mounted or dismounted automatic weapon positions. A reaction force may be designated and concealed nearby.[2]
Vehicular and pedestrian traffic that approach with the intent of passing flying checkpoints can be asked to produce identification and submit to a search of their persons and/or vehicle. In some cases, people without proper identification or who arouse suspicion may be refused passage, detained, or arrested. Contraband may be confiscated. [3] A flying checkpoint must be functional within 15 minutes of the unit's arrival on-site, and establish security teams 50-100 meters on both side of the area to be controlled. Advanced observation posts may also be positioned further out, if desired. [3]
Hasty roadblocks and checkpoints are usually established for no more than a few hours, in order to decrease the possibility of insurgent attacks on them, as well as to maintain their effectiveness as a surprising, unexpected obstacle. [4]
In a 1983 dispatch from Beirut to the New York Times, Thomas Friedman described how militias in Beirut seemed to live the principle, "I have a checkpoint, therefore I exist."[5] He noted that ubiquity of the the phenomenon and of the words for the different types of checkpoints that had entered the Lebanese lexicon:
By now, all Beirut drivers know there are normal, fixed checkpoints, or hajiz, as well as mobile or flying checkpoints, known as hajiz tayyar (Template:Ar), which never stay in one spot for more than a few hours in order to maintain an element of surprise.[5]
|
See also: Israel Defense Forces checkpoint |
According to the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ), the Israeli military established 121 flying checkpoints in the West Bank and East Jerusalem between October 2006 until April 2007.[6] Most of the flying checkpoints are located in the northern part of the West Bank; in particular, the Nablus, Tubas and Jenin governorates.[6]
Palestinians attempting to cross flying checkpoints can wait anywhere between 20 and 90 minutes, and in some cases, even longer,[6] making it difficult to reaching their destinations be they hospitals, schools, or universities.[6]
Medical vehicles are often stopped and searched by Israeli soldiers at flying checkpoints. For example, in March 2002, an explosive device was found in a Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance.[7] The Red Crescent expressed shock at the incident, and began an internal investigation.[7] On January 11 2004, a PRCS ambulance not carrying patients was stopped and searched at a flying checkpoint near the village of Jit. The ambulance was escorted by military jeep to the Qadomin bus station where after 10 minutes the ambulance crew got their IDs back and were allowed to continue working. In another case, on the same day, an ambulance transporting a diabetic patient to the hospital in Tulkarm was stopped, searched, and allowed to proceed after the companion of the patient was arrested.[8]
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRC) has "...acknowledged their right to check ambulances, provided it does not unduly delay medical evacuations."[7]
Flying checkpoints were used in Operation Provide Comfort by the United States military in Iraq.[9] There, the mobile units had overhead support from attack helicopters and would move forward to key intersections in areas where armed Iraqi or guerrilla fighters were known to operate, setting up hasty roadblocks to disrupt unauthorized or unwanted military activity.[9]
Soldiers were designated to detain and search people, others to overwatch the checkpoint with air cover, mobile mortar support, and quick reinforcement forces and infantry carriers to provide backup in case of the need to maintain position or withdraw.[9]