Jus ad bellum, jus in bello and non-international armed conflicts

Abstract

Of all the calamities that can befall a people or a state, civil war has always been considered one of the worst. Setting son against father, brother against brother and neighbour against neighbour, civil war is a merciless struggle that is not limited to the clash of armed forces. Characterised by denunciations, acts of vengeance and the settling of scores, civil war unleashes the built-up tension and hatred within a society.