A “complex attack” is one in which more than one element is involved, e.g. instead of just opening fire with a rifle, first setting off explosions and then opening fire. In Iraq, a common version was to use an IED to disable an American convoy, and then hit it with a team using small arms fire once the American soldiers dismounted. Here, an attention-drawing fireworks attack drew out law enforcement, who were then ambushed by shooters.
Sort of standard, isn't it? An attacker has to get the initiative somehow, if they want to succeed. The IRA used to call in a road accident, so they could ambush the responders. etc. There are no end of ways to use "bait". I have not read any confirmation, but it sounds like the firefighters attacked in Idaho were responding to a "bait" fire.
ReplyDeleteThe problem society wise is this eventually makes the responders reluctant to respond, thus hastening the collapse of the social order.
And the use of extra-legal teams (kill squads) to defeat this sort of thing has it's own set of problems, as they will get used to a lack of limits and operate to their own ends.