Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Website: http://www.idf.il/1520-en/Dover.aspx
Type: Military
The Combat Engineering Corps was established in 1947. It is considered crucial in the battlefield, because it is the only IDF force trained to break through obstacles such as mine fields, tunnels, and dirt mounds.
Engineering soldiers are specially trained to deal with a variety of challenges including using mines, as well as the neutralisation of explosives and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) weapons.
One of the main purposes of the Corps is to counter explosives on missions, overcoming enemy traps and obstacles, enabling the IDF to complete its missions.
Sayeret Yahalom (special operation engineering unit) is the Engineering Corps’ special forces unit and one of the most elite units in the IDF. The purpose of the unit is maneuvering operations involving dangerous weaponry, engineering reconnaissance, and dealing with tunnel threats and weapons hideouts in enemy territory, using technologically advanced equipment.
Sayeret Yahalom is an elite combat engineering unit of the Israeli Engineering Corps of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). They specialise in special engineering missions, such as those including:
- Commando and Counter-Terrorism missions.
- Accurate demolitions and planting of pinpoint explosives.
- Defusing bombs, landmines and unexploded ordnance (Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)).
- Maritime sabotage and obstacles breaching.
- Searching and destroying smuggling tunnels.
- Developing advanced methods and tools for demolitions and EOD.
- Teaching and training engineering corps soldiers and other Special Units in demolitions and EOD.
They are highly trained in EOD and C-IED methods and are involved in training other units of the IDF in these areas.
They are said to be in command of many of the most modern and advanced tools for this work, such as robots and vehicles including the IDF Caterpillar D9 bulldozer.
This profile is part of AOAV’s investigation into counter-IED (C-IED) actors around the globe. To see the list of all C-IED actors recorded by AOAV, see here. To see those engaged in the Middle East, the Sahel, North Africa or other highly impacted countries please see here, here, here, and here respectively. This research was made possible by funding from the NATO Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE). To read the full report, ‘Addressing the threat posed by IEDs: National, Regional and Global Initiatives’, see here.
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