A CRITICAL STUDY ON THE EVOLUTION OF MEANS AND METHODS OF WARFARE AND IHL

AUTHOR – SREE LAXMI A J, LLM (INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANISATION) SCHOLAR AT DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS

BEST CITATION – SREE LAXMI A J, A CRITICAL STUDY ON THE EVOLUTION OF MEANS AND METHODS OF WARFARE AND IHL, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (11) OF 2025, PG. 433-442, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

ABSTRACT

War has been an inescapable part of human experience throughout history. The nature of warfare has undergone significant transformations, driven by advances in technology and tactics. A long-standing commitment to reducing the brutality of war has driven humanitarians across the globe to establish safeguards, resulting in the groundbreaking 1864 Geneva Convention and the emergence of modern International Humanitarian Law. IHL is a comprehensive set of norms that regulate the conduct of warfare and aims at protecting human rights during armed conflicts. The atrocities committed during World War II led to a renewed effort to establish clear rules for the conduct of war. The Geneva Conventions were revised and expanded in 1949. The four Geneva Conventions and their three Additional protocols form the core of modern IHL. IHL seeks to humanize the conduct of war, prioritizing the protection of human life and dignity, and alleviating the suffering caused by conflict. Modern warfare has become increasingly complex, with non-state actors, cyber warfare, and artificial intelligence changing the nature of warfare. The impact of modern warfare on IHL is significant. New technologies such as drones and automated weapons raise questions about accountability and the ability to distinguish between military targets and civilians. Modern warfare has also introduced new areas of concern such as Cyberwarfare, Urban warfare, Siege warfare, increasing role of Non-State Actors and Asymmetric warfare. It is crucial to foster a culture of respect for IHL among States and Non-State Actors through diplomatic efforts, capacity-building initiatives, and training programs

Key Words – Warfare, Armed conflict, Humanitarian, War