...list’, in theory, does not create clear problems for IHL. That said, this is far from simple when several states are involved, and various sources of intelligence are being collated. A recent example of this, and of the challenge of being the intelligence source to start the targeting cycle, is found in 2016 over
Syria. In conducting airstrikes near Deir ez-Zor, coalition forces mistakenly targeted what were referred to as: “forces aligned with the government of
Syria.” This strike involved aircraft from Denmark, Australia, the UK and the US, with...