The conflict in Syria has passed an important milestone as the International Committee of the Red Cross said it has concluded the armed conflict in Syria is now a full-blown civil war.
The Red Cross determination means the laws of war and of humanitarian law now apply to the conflict, which gives all parties involved rules that they are expected to follow.
“We are now talking about a non-international armed conflict in the country,” ICRC spokesman Hicham Hassan said.
The laws of war have a set of rules that have been determined by many international treaties over the years. These laws include:
Wars should be limited to achieving the political goals that started the war (e.g., territorial control) and should not include unnecessary destruction.
Wars should be brought to an end as quickly as possible.
People and property that do not contribute to the war effort should be protected against unnecessary destruction and hardship.
There is also protection for Red Cross and aide workers. Persons protected by the Red Cross/Crescent or white flag are expected to maintain neutrality, and may not engage in warlike acts; in fact, engaging in war activities under a protected symbol is itself a violation of the laws of war.
Violation of these laws can subject the violators to conviction of International War Crimes, which can be punished by substantial prison sentences or even death.
Previously, the ICRC had restricted its assessment of the scope of the conflict to the hotspots of Idlib, Homs and Hama, but Hassan said the organization had determined the violence has spread beyond those areas.
“Hostilities have spread to other areas of the country,” Hassan told The Associated Press. “International humanitarian law applies to all areas where hostilities are taking place.”
About Nick Chiles
Ethinic cleansing is now called a civil war? They are killing christians…..Just say it!
Russia and China have their own interests alright: Preserving the status quo at home.
If they allow regime change in Syria, they also invite regime change on their doorstep. Why would they do that?
Better yet, why are the rest of us expecting them to do so?
Forget about it.
Russia and China will not lift a finger in Syria. And we are not going to wait for them anymore.
Instead, we will put together our own coalition and take care of necessary business — just like we had done in Libya.
This time around, Russia and China had their chance to be part of the solution. They have sat it out — less they also rattle their own house of cards.
Fine.
But their inaction has also committed them to getting out of the way. They can do so and still save face.
Either way, we should move forward.