Armed conflict refers to a situation in which organized groups, often states or non-state actors, engage in the use of armed force against each other or within a particular region. Armed conflict involves the deployment of military personnel, weaponry, and other resources to achieve specific political, ideological, or territorial objectives. Such conflicts can vary significantly in terms of scale, intensity, duration, and the parties involved.
Armed conflicts can therefore take various forms, including interstate wars, civil wars, insurgencies, and asymmetric conflicts. The impact of armed conflict on individuals and communities is profound, leading to human suffering, displacement, and long-term socio-economic consequences. Efforts are made at the international level to prevent and mitigate armed conflicts, protect civilians, and promote peace and stability through diplomatic, humanitarian, and peacekeeping initiatives.
Key characteristics of armed conflicts include:
- Use of Force: Armed conflict involves the use of lethal force by one or more parties involved. This force can range from small-scale confrontations to large-scale military operations.
- Organized Groups: Typically, armed conflicts involve organized groups, which may include national armed forces, rebel groups, insurgent movements, or paramilitary organizations.
- Political Objectives: The use of force in armed conflict is usually driven by political, ideological, or territorial objectives. Parties involved seek to achieve specific goals through military means.
- Violence and Hostilities: Armed conflict is marked by acts of violence and hostilities between the opposing forces. This may include battles, bombings, artillery shelling, and other forms of armed engagement.
- International or Non-International: Armed conflicts can be classified as international or non-international. International armed conflicts involve the use of force between two or more states, while non-international armed conflicts occur within the borders of a single state and involve non-state armed groups (NSAGs).
- Humanitarian Consequences: Armed conflicts often result in significant humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties, displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and disruptions to basic services such as healthcare and education. The majority of humanitarian crises in the world can be attributed to armed conflicts.
- International Humanitarian Law (IHL): The conduct of parties involved in armed conflicts is governed by International Humanitarian Law, also known as the laws of war. IHL establishes rules and principles to protect civilians, prisoners of war, and other non-combatants, and to regulate the means and methods of warfare.