What are forbidden weapons in war?

The Rules of Engagement: Banned Weapons in Modern Warfare

Warfare has always been destructive, but international law draws a strict line against weapons that cause unnecessary suffering or strike indiscriminately. At the heart of these regulations is the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), an international treaty designed to restrict or prohibit specific military arms deemed excessively cruel.

Among the most prominent forbidden arms are landmines and booby traps. These devices pose a severe threat during conflict and for decades afterward, often harming unsuspecting civilians long after hostilities end. Similarly, incendiary devices are heavily restricted due to the horrific burns and lingering destruction they inflict on populated areas.

Modern additions to these prohibitions include blinding laser weapons, specifically designed to cause permanent loss of sight, as well as strict protocols for clearing explosive remnants of war. By banning arms that inflict undue agony or fail to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants, international treaties aim to preserve basic humanity even in the midst of conflict.