I am interested but uninformed in this area, so I am wondering if there are rules in warfare. For Example, I am considering scenarios such as prohibiting the bombing of civilian structures.
In: Other
One thing to add to the other comments is while they’re right that enforcing the laws of war on a country that doesn’t want to follow them is difficult, that doesn’t mean they don’t have power.
For example, usually in a war, even if you win you’ll have to live alongside the people you’ve defeated and your neighbours. This is generally harder if they consider you to have committed war crimes. This is one reason why some form of rules for warfare go back to at least Ancient times.
Most wars end with some kind of negotiated settlement, and committing war crimes can make this harder. Would you strike a deal with someone like that? Can you trust them? For example, Ukraine was negotiating with Russia when the massacre at Bucha was revealed, and this is said to have ended Ukrainian willingness to make concessions.
Answer: in addition to what others are saying, there is a concept called “military necessity.” The IRC casebook includes examples (https://casebook.icrc.org/a_to_z/glossary/military-necessity#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Cprinciple%20of%20military%20necessity,prohibited%20by%20international%20humanitarian%20law.)
Basically, if there are legitimate military objectives, then some other restrictions are void. For example, if the enemy has a sniper in a church steeple, it is allowed to fire on the church. Similarly, if the enemy is storing weapons in a school, it is ok to bomb the school, but one should not do it when students are there
Certainly, it’s called the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) or International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The Red Cross provides good explanations [here](https://www.icrc.org/en/war-and-law%E2%80%83).
Most important principles in IHL:
1. Principle of distinction: military objectives may be specifically targeted, civilian objectives not. Those working as medics, the wounded and those who have surrendered may not be targeted.
2. Principle of proportionality: any attack is going to lead to casualties. A state should only attack if the anticipated military advantage outweighs the risks of civilian casualties, as judged before the attack happens.
3. Principle of precaution: a state should do everything it reasonably can to reduce the impact of hostilities on civilians. Certain weapons are therefore not allowed, since these likely cause unneccessary suffering.
Latest Answers