Asymmetric Warfare in Syria: a Challenge to the International Humanitarian Law
Keywords:
Asymmetric warfare, International Humanitarian Law, modern warfare, Syrian conflict, United Nations, ISIS, Noninternational Armed ConflictAbstract
The article examines the application of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to the modern warfare, in particular, to the asymmetric conflicts. The purpose of the article is to find out what are the main challenges, which are faced by the IHL in the conditions of the modern warfare. The ongoing conflict in Syria, which started in 2011, is used as a case study. It shows the real challenges to the IHL and undermines its effective application during the armed conflicts. Thus, the IHL should be developed and modified in the scopes of new types of warfare.
References
Buffaloe D. Defining asymmetric warfare // A National Security Affairs Paper published on Occasion by The Institute Of Land Warfare, 2006. - no. 58. - p. 24.
Final report of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab republic [Internet resource]. – UN official website. – Access mode: https://www.un.org/.
Haran, V. P. Roots of the Syrian crisis // Institute of peace and conflict studies Special Report, 2016. - no. 181. – p.23.
Heinegg W.H., Asymmetric warfare: how to respond? // International Law Studies US Naval War Col., 2011. - vol. 87. – p.464.
Report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic [Internet resource]. – OHCHR official web site. – Access mode: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/IICISyria/Pages/IndependentInternationalCommission.aspx.
Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic [Internet resource]. – OHCHR official web site. – Access mode: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/Home.aspx.
Security Council Press Statement on Syria [Internet resource]. – UNSC official web site. – Access mode: https://www.un.org/press/en/2012/sc10564.doc.htm.
Syria report [Internet resource]. – Amnesty International official web site. – Access mode: https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/syria/.
UN General Assembly, Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction: Resolution adopted by the General Assembly, 17 December 2003, A/RES/58/52 [Internet resource]. – UNTC. – Access mode: https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-3&chapter=26&clang=_en
UNSC, Resolution 2118 [Internet resource]. – UNSC official web site. - Access mode: http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/doc/2118.
What Is International Humanitarian Law [Internet resource]. – ICRC official web site. – Access mode: https://www.icrc.org/en/document/what-international-humanitarian-law.