Legal protection of civilians during international armed conflicts in Accordance with the Rules of International Humanitarian Law

Mahdi, Hajhar Hoshyar

doi:10.63677/jqlap.2026.168107.1530

Legal protection of civilians during international armed conflicts in Accordance with the Rules of International Humanitarian Law

https://doi.org/10.63677/jqlap.2026.168107.1530

Volume 17, Issue: 2 part 1
Summer 2026

Pages 307-324

AL-Qadisiya Journal For Law and Political Sciences

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Hajhar Hoshyar Mahdi

University of Jarmoo - College of Administration and Economics - Department of Administration

Abstract

This research addresses a pivotal topic in international humanitarian law: the protection of civilians during armed conflicts. It aims to clarify the fundamental concepts and legal guarantees provided by international conventions to civilians during times of war and conflict.
Main Sections:The first section focuses on fundamental concepts, providing a precise definition of a civilian in international humanitarian law and distinguishing them from a combatant. It also reviews the nature of international armed conflicts and their legal characteristics. This conceptual grounding is essential for understanding the scope of protection rules.
The second section examines the legal guarantees and mechanisms for protecting civilians, with particular emphasis on the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which form the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. This section discusses fundamental principles such as the distinction between civilians and combatants, the principle of proportionality, and the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks.
The research highlights the importance of respecting these international rules to protect innocent lives and minimize civilian suffering during conflicts, emphasizing the binding nature of these legal guarantees in all international armed conflicts.

Subjects