"U.S. Department of Defense Implements New Guidelines to Minimize Civilian Harm in Military Operations"

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has issued a new instruction that formalizes policies and procedures for preventing and mitigating civilian harm in military operations. The instruction, developed as part of the DOD's Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, emphasizes the importance of protecting civilian populations and responsible use of military force. It establishes pre- and post-strike measures, appoints a senior DOD civilian official to oversee compliance, and encourages the improvement of military capabilities to reduce risks to civilians. The instruction also covers assessments of civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations, investigations of alleged incidents, and integration of these efforts into multinational operations and security cooperation. Continued research and discussion on civilian harm mitigation and response are also called for.