What does the LOAC principle of distinction require?

• A. It requires that combatants differentiate between military targets and civilians/civilian objects.
• B. It requires civilians to evacuate the area.
• C. It allows targeting of civilian objects in absence of military objectives.
• D. It imposes no constraints on targeting.

Answer: (A)

Distinction in LOAC means directing military force only at legitimate military objectives and protecting civilians and civilian objects from attack. This requires actively differentiating between targets that contribute to the military effort and those that do not, so civilians and their property are not attacked simply because they are nearby. Even when a target is military, precautions must be taken to avoid or Minimize civilian harm, and any use of force must be weighed against the expected civilian impact in relation to the military objective (the proportionality idea). In short, attacks must be aimed at military targets, not at civilians or civilian structures.

Civilians evacuating or not is not what this principle dictates, and the principle does not permit attacking civilian objects or claim there are no constraints on targeting.