**NOTE:** This is **not** intended to be a politically biased question, only one where I want to be more informed about military tactics and the general guidelines surrounding combat. Thank you.
Is it actually possible for armies to reduce civilian casualties? Considering how effective weapons are (both missiles and chemical) and how dense civilian areas are, how do armies try to mitigate those casualties? What is the difference between an action that is considered a part of war or a war crime?
In: Technology
…if anyone tries to convince you that an army can’t reduce civilian casualties, then they have an agenda.
Peacekeeper troops for example often have a very strict engagement protocol (do not fire unless fired upon) and weapons with large blast effect or low accuracy (like for example artillery) are used very sparingly. KFOR (Kosovo peacekeeping force) for example were frequently targeted by snipers or mortars but during their deployment managed to not shoot children or journalists. Because they were professionals with a strict engagement protocol.
Meanwhile some nations (even during “peacekeeping operations”) go around blasting civilian neighbourhoods with artillery or attack helicopters.
Latest Answers