An asymmetric conflict is characterized by the imbalance between the military capacity of the warring parties (e.g. in terms of weapon technology, equipment, intelligence information and number of troops).
OUTLINE
Chapter 2, I. 5. International Humanitarian Law in asymmetric conflicts
Chapter 13, XII. Factors contributing to violations of International Humanitarian Law
DOICUMENT
CASES
ICRC, IHL and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflicts (Part B.)
Israel, Report of the Winograd Commission (Paras. 38-45)
Syria, Press conference with French President Francois Hollande and Russian President Vladimir Putin
Sri Lanka, Naval War against Tamil Tigers
Italy, Use of force against ambulances in Iraq
ICRC, Statement - War in Cities ; What is at Stake?
BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESOURCES
Suggested readings:
BENVENISTI Eyal, “The Legal Battle to Define the Law on Transnational Asymmetric Warfare”, in Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law, Vol. 20, No. 3, 2010, pp. 339-359 COURMONT Barthélémy & RIBNIKAR Darko, Les guerres asymétriques: conflits d’hier et d’aujourd’hui, terrorisme et nouvelles menaces, Paris, Dalloz, 2nd ed., 2009, 427 pp. GEISS Robin, “Asymmetric Conflict Structures”, in IRRC, Vol. 88, No. 864, December 2006, pp. 757-777 GROSS Michael L., “Asymmetric War, Symmetrical Intentions: Killing Civilians in Modern Armed Conflict”, in Global Crime, Vol. 10, No. 4, November 2009, pp. 320-336 HEINTZE Hans-Joachim, “Terrorism and Asymmetrical Conflicts: a Role for the Martens Clause?”, in GIEGERICH Thomas (ed.), A Wiser Century?: Judicial Dispute Settlement, Disarmament and the Laws of War 100 Years After the Second Hague Peace Conference, Berlin, Duncker and Humblot, 2009, pp. 429-434 KNOOPS Geert-Jan Alexander, “The Duality of the Proportionality Principle within Asymmetric Warfare and Ensuing Superior Criminal Responsibilities”, in International Criminal Law Review, Vol. 9, No. 3, 2009, pp. 501-529 LAVOY Peter, Asymmetric Warfare in South Asia: the Causes and Consequences of the Kargil Conflict, Cambridge, CUP, 2009, 407 pp. PAULUS Andreas & VASHAKMADZE Mindia, “Asymmetrical War and the Notion of Armed Conflict: a Tentative of Conceptualization”, in IRRC, Vol. 91, No. 873, March 2009, pp. 95-125. PFANNER Toni, “Asymmetrical Warfare from the Perspective of Humanitarian Law and Humanitarian Action”, in IRRC, No. 857, March 2005, pp. 149-174 ROGERS Anthony P. V., “Unequal Combat and the Law of War”, in YIHL, Vol. 7 (2004), 2006, pp. 3-34. SCHMITT Michael N., “Asymmetrical Warfare and International Humanitarian Law”, in The Air Force Law Review, Vol. 62, 2008, pp. 1-42 SCHRÖFL Josef, COX Sean Michael & PANKRATZ Thomas (eds), Winning the Asymmetric War: Political, Social and Military Responses, Frankfurt am Main, P. Lang, 2009, 366 pp. VAN BAARDA Ted, VERWEIJ Désiree, The Moral Dimension of Asymmetrical Warfare: Counter-Terrorism, Democratic Values and Military Ethics, Leiden, Boston, M. Nijhoff, 2009, 529 pp.