The International Committee of the Red Thingy Cross says Syria is now in a state of civil war, a definition it suggests could change the rules of engagement in the violence-ravaged country and help lay the ground for war crimes prosecutions.
| Now you've done it, Pencilneck, you've gone and angered the Red Thingy... |
The ICRC ruling marks a significant moment in the Syrian uprising, which during the past year has changed from a series of anti-regime protests into a full-blown insurrection. It had previously said that localised states of civil war existed in Homs, Hama and Idlib. The ICRC is considered to be a guardian of the Geneva convention, which prescribes the rules of warfare. The declaration signals that the Geneva-based organisation regards all civilians and detainees as protected under international law.
Alexis Heeb, an ICRC spokesman in Geneva, said: "Now there are many places in Syria that fulfil requirements to be a called a non-international armed conflict, and the situation is fluid and constantly evolving.
"What matters is that humanitarian law applies across the country, and that means civilians and those no longer taking part in the conflict are protected." |