Choose your weapons – An analysis of precautionary measures in attack in urban settings
Publish date: 2025-03-28
Report number: FOI-R--5684--SE
Pages: 63
Written in: Swedish
Keywords:
- international humanitarian law; precautions; means and methods; weapons effects; explosive weapons; incidental civilian harm
Abstract
Urban conflict is a key issue of concern for the international community. The use of weapons with wide area effects in populated areas is today one of the major causes of civilian harm in armed conflict. The careful selection of weapons has been exemplified as an area that can lead to less incidental harm to civilians and civilian objects, whilst achieving the same military results. This report therefore analyses the obligation to implement all feasible precautions in the choice of means and methods of warfare in the planning and deciding of attacks under Article 57(2)(a)(ii) API. The report first details the legal standard to be implemented under Article 57(2)(a)(ii) API and defines the term "feasible". It goes on to analyse whether measures commonly identified as precautions can be classified as measures further to Article 57(2)(a)(ii) API. The report demonstrates that there has been less focus on good practices in what improvements could be made in the choice of means and methods of attack, and that the main measures to avoid and reduce incidental civilian harm are better described as measures to safeguard civilians from military operations and/or precautions from effects of attacks.