What is international armed conflict? How it is different from non-international armed conflict.

International armed conflict (IAC) and non-international armed conflict (NIAC) are two distinct categories of conflicts recognized in international law, primarily defined by the parties involved and the legal frameworks governing them.

International Armed Conflict (IAC)

Definition: An IAC occurs when there is a resort to armed force between two or more states. The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols provide the primary legal framework for IACs.

Key Characteristics:

1. Parties: Involves sovereign states engaging in hostilities against each other.
2. Legal Framework: Governed by international humanitarian law (IHL) applicable to IACs, primarily the four Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I. These laws regulate the conduct of hostilities, protection of combatants and non-combatants, treatment of prisoners of war, and protection of civilians.
3. Examples: Conflicts such as World War II, the Korean War, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Non-International Armed Conflict (NIAC)

Definition: A NIAC occurs within the borders of a single state involving sustained armed confrontations between governmental forces and organized armed groups, or between such groups themselves. Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II provide the legal framework for NIACs.

Key Characteristics:

1. Parties: Involves one or more non-state armed groups fighting against government forces or against each other within a state. These groups must have a certain level of organization and the conflict must reach a certain intensity to be classified as a NIAC.
2. Legal Framework: Governed by IHL applicable to NIACs, which is less extensive than the law governing IACs. Common Article 3 sets minimum standards of humane treatment, and Additional Protocol II provides further regulations on the conduct of hostilities and protection of victims.
3. Examples: Conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War, the Colombian conflict, and the Rwandan Genocide.

Differences Between IAC and NIAC

1. Parties Involved:

   • IAC: Between states.
   • NIAC: Between a state and non-state armed groups or between non-state groups.

2. Legal Protections and Regulations:

   • IAC: More comprehensive legal protections under the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I, including detailed rules on the treatment of prisoners of war and the conduct of hostilities.
   • NIAC: Fewer protections under Common Article 3 and Additional Protocol II, focusing primarily on fundamental humanitarian protections and basic rules of engagement.

3. Scope and Application:

   • IAC: Laws are universally applicable and recognized by states involved in the conflict.
   • NIAC: Application can be more challenging due to the non-state nature of some parties, and enforcement mechanisms are often weaker.

In summary, IACs and NIACs are distinguished by the nature of the parties involved and the legal frameworks governing them. IAC involves state-to-state conflicts with extensive legal protections, while NIAC involves internal conflicts with limited but essential humanitarian protections. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for the application of international humanitarian law and the protection of individuals affected by armed conflicts.