Military Objectives

What Are Military Objectives?

Any object which — by its nature, location, purpose, or use — makes an effective contribution to military action and whose destruction, capture, or neutralization offers a definite military advantage.

When NOT to Attack

Civilians: What Is Prohibited

Civilians must not be: - Made the object of attack - Used as shields or hostages - Subjected to intimidation or terrorism (acts or threats of violence with the primary purpose of spreading terror)

Civilians: What Is Permitted

Military operations short of violence — that are militarily necessary — remain permitted:

• Stopping and searching civilians for weapons
• Temporarily detaining civilians for mission accomplishment, self-defense, or their safety
• Collecting intelligence (including interrogation)
• Restricting or directing civilian movement for their protection
• Seeking to influence enemy civilians with propaganda

Commander Obligations

Feasible precautions must be taken when planning and conducting attacks.

Commanders must decide in good faith based on information available. Even when information is imperfect, commanders may direct and conduct operations — so long as they make a good faith assessment.

The law of war provides specific protection to certain objects:

Specifically Protected

• Medical units or establishments
• Transports of wounded and sick personnel
• Military and civilian hospital ships
• Safety zones established under the Geneva Conventions
• Religious, cultural, and charitable buildings
• Monuments
• Prisoner of war camps

Loss of Protected Status

Collateral Damage Rule

An attack on protected objects near lawful military objectives — that suffer collateral damage when the nearby objectives are lawfully engaged — does not violate the law of war.

*Subject to adherence to the principle of proportionality.*

Enemy Military Aircraft

Parachuting Airmen

• Parachuting from a disabled aircraft, offering no resistance → may NOT be attacked
• Resisting in descent, or downed behind own lines and continuing to fight → MAY be subject to attack

Rules of engagement often include additional guidance consistent with law of war obligations.

Enemy Nonmilitary Aircraft

Generally not subject to attack — unless used for a military purpose.

Civil Aircraft as Immediate Threats

A civil aircraft may be considered an immediate military threat if:

• It initiates an attack (qualifies as military objective)
• It approaches a military base at high speed
• It enters enemy territory without permission
• It disregards signals or warnings to land or proceed

Military Medical Aircraft

Used exclusively for: - Removing the wounded and sick - Transporting medical personnel and equipment

Exception: A medical aircraft found violating agreements could be lawfully attacked — but only after all other means of control (directing aircraft to land and submit to search) have been exhausted.