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| Does this picture shock you? Does it make you want to turn away? Don't! This is the reality that can't be swept away by the insignificant "debates" that the current administration takes joy in having. This is an illustration of what the enemy has in store for every American and every ally we have. A horrible, painful death. Drink in the horror of it and understand the nature of the beast we face. |
At the very top I don't want this to turn into a debate about whether or not the Hannibal Directive is real or not. Its part of the lore of the Israeli Defense Force and Israel's enemies act as if it is an established part of Israeli doctrine.
A refresher via Wikipedia.
The Hannibal Directive (Hebrew: נוהל חניבעל) (or “Hannibal Procedure” or "Hannibal Protocol"[2]) is a secret directive of the Israel Defense Forces with the purpose of preventing Israeli soldiers being captured by enemy forces in the course of combat. Israel has with several notable exceptions adhered to the principle of not negotiating with what it considers terrorists and this especially in hostage situations. This policy led to some notable successes, such as Operation Entebbe but also to loss of human life, as in the Maalot Massacre. In cases where Israeli soldiers were captured and no military solution was found, Israel was forced to negotiate with the captors about an exchange of prisoners. On several occasions this led to a highly controversial release of hundreds or even thousands of convicted or suspected terrorists in Israeli captivity.Fast forward to the situation we face today.
The order, drawn up in 1986 by a group of top Israeli officers, states that at the time of a capture the main mission becomes forcing the release of the captured soldiers from their captors, even if that means injury to Israeli soldiers.[3] It allows commanders to take whatever action is necessary, including endangering the life of a captured soldier, to foil the capture. However it does not allow for a soldier to be killed in order to prevent his capture, according to the IDF chief of staff, Benny Gantz.[1]
We have watched videos of ISIS beheading aid workers, journalists and people of all ages of different faiths (to include toddlers). We've heard reports of women raped, young ones being sold into slavery if they're boys and girls as young as 9 years old married off to ISIS fighters.
Finally we saw a Jordanian pilot burned alive.
The longer this "action" lasts against ISIS the bigger the likelihood of a US service member becoming a captive. Even if it must remain secret is it time for the US to adopt such a directive?
Should the US destroy the enemy especially if it means that a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine is killed in order to prevent his capture? Could such a move be considered merciful?
Man, I dunno. But what I do know is that napalming ISIS strongholds should be considered a proportional response to this travesty.
ReplyDeleteit probably doesn't matter. i'm sure the guys at the unit level...especially the bubbas in SOCOM have already had this conversation and if someone gets captured they're gonna call in fire on them so they don't wind up on YouTube and it will be something that everyone on the Company level down have already established, signed off on and is one of those quiet things that never gets out in the open. the Hannibal Directive is probably in play already. its just that senior leadership doesn't know about it.
DeleteIn my opinion, the "Hannibal Directive" is a "custom made" order. I must envy the Israeli military for actually having the cajones to put this down. I have strong belief that any other Western armed forces (US included) will not have this leeway. I mean, brass will not have this down in writing.
ReplyDeleteThis so-called "directive" will only exist between buddies or solders. It's like, "drop it (the bomb on top of me) now. If you were in my shoes, I'd do the same thing".
No general wants to front a US Senate Committee to justify the use of the "Hannibal Directive".
Sol, you are right at the unit level. We had a rule that my battle buddies, would pop me. I did not want my wife and children to see me on Al-Jezzera getting my head chopped off when I was down range. Two of my female soldiers, said the same. Now with ISIS burning and crucifying that is a no-brainer. It is amazing that the US has had so small of numbers of prisoners of war since 9/11. That is testament to the field units keeping their heads straight.
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