belligerents

Belligerents are the parties to an armed conflict that are recognized as sides in hostilities. The term is used in international humanitarian law to refer to the actors that participate in the fighting, which can be states or organized non-state armed groups. Belligerents are distinguished from neutral states and observers and from mere supporters or bystanders. Modern conflicts often lack formal declarations of war, but the existence of armed belligerents is determined by their actions and organization rather than by a label adopted in advance.

The legal framework governing belligerents is primarily the law of armed conflict or international humanitarian law (IHL). Belligerents must distinguish military objectives from civilians and civilian objects, and they must use force in a manner proportional to the military objective. Combatants generally have the right to participate in hostilities, while civilians retain protected status. Prisoners of war and other captured combatants must be treated humanely and, upon the end of active hostilities, should be repatriated or released. Belligerents are also prohibited from certain methods and means of warfare and from perfidy or targeting medical personnel and facilities. The status of non-state armed groups as belligerents can be recognized under IHL when they meet particular criteria, although recognition is often political as well as legal.

Notes on scope and practice: belligerent status does not imply universal legitimacy or statehood, and it can evolve with the course of a conflict or its resolution. The term remains a practical description of who is opposing whom in a conflict, guiding rights and protections under international law as long as the fighting continues.