The “rules of war” are the laws of armed conflict or international humanitarian law : they are meant to limit suffering during war and protect people who are not fighting. They also set limits on how force can be used in attacks.

Core rules

  • Distinction: fighters must distinguish between combatants and civilians, and only attack legitimate military targets.
  • Proportionality: an attack must not cause civilian harm that is excessive compared with the expected military advantage.
  • Military necessity: force may only be used to achieve a legitimate military objective, not for wanton destruction.
  • Humanity: torture, cruel treatment, mutilation, and other unnecessary suffering are forbidden.
  • Protection of prisoners and detainees: captured fighters must be treated humanely under the relevant rules.

What the rules cover

These rules apply to both international and internal armed conflicts, and they regulate conduct during war, including weapons, targets, occupation, surrender, and treatment of civilians and prisoners.

Why they matter

The Geneva Conventions are a central part of these rules and have been ratified by all 196 states, and violations can be investigated as war crimes with individuals potentially prosecuted.

If you want, I can also give you a very short plain-English version or a table of the main principles.