pillage

Pillage is the act of looting or plundering, especially by armed forces or organized groups during war, occupation, rebellion, or civil disorder. It involves taking valuables by force from individuals, communities, or institutions, often without regard to ownership, legality, or proportionality. Pillage can target homes, markets, religious sites, cultural property, and public infrastructure. It is distinct from civilian looting in civil unrest in that pillage usually implies organized or sanctioned violence by combatants or authorities.

Legal status: In international humanitarian law, pillage is generally prohibited as a form of wartime wrongdoing, and is considered a war crime in many jurisdictions. Treaties such as the Hague and Geneva frameworks prohibit the pillage of occupied territories and protected property, and later conventions address the protection of cultural property. Individuals accused of pillage may be subject to international and national prosecution.

Historical context: Pillage has appeared in many periods, from ancient sackings to medieval campaigns to early modern wars. Some commanders historically allowed or tolerated pillage as a means of securing supplies or morale, but this practice often attracted condemnation and was later prohibited in formal military law.

Impact: Pillage harms civilians by destroying livelihoods, triggering displacement, and eroding trust in institutions; it can also cause long-term damage to cultural heritage and local economies, and can provoke retaliatory violence.