Regulating the conduct of urban warfare: lessons from contemporary asymmetric armed conflicts

A survey of contemporary armed conflicts indicates that major military powers are
increasingly facing militarily weaker adversaries and being drawn into unconventional
engagements in cities, towns, and villages. Given the asymmetry of military
capabilities in such conflicts, it is submitted that higher standards of reasonableness
be imposed upon military commanders of major military powers to ensure constant
care for civilian populations, and furthermore that civilian populations be spared more
effectively from the effects of urban warfare by applying customary law ab initio, in
order to avoid gaps in protection that may arise from the premature classification of
armed conflicts.