AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURE, SCOPE AND RESPONSES TOWARDS ADDRESSING THE SCOURGE OF ASYMMETRIC WARFARE

Abstract

Humanitarian law is the law of war. At best, it is the law of armed conflict1. The increasing growth in technology in armed conflict has created the need for improvement on the body of law and rules regulating warfare. Asymmetric warfare appears to be but not a new form of armed conflict and without mincing words, it has proved the body of law relating to armed hostility to be very inadequate and incapable of the innovations, methods and approaches in this form of warfare. This paper aims at finding out the nature and scope of asymmetric warfare and further to ascertain the possible responses adopted by states, regional domains and at global arena towards addressing this specie of warfare. The paper also works at looking at the strategies adopted by parties to the war and the content of the body of law prevailing in other warfare distinct and different from asymmetric and the challenges why such body of laws may not be viable or why such body of laws may be necessary for it to be adopted in this class of warfare. Conclusions and recommendations are also made to the extent that it is suggested that asymmetric warfare being special specie of warfare should be approached dynamically for positive result towards realizing the landable goals of humanitarian law.