Reports from Kurdistan Province indicate that on March 10, Gogje village in Marivan County was targeted by an airstrike. According to local authorities and initial field reports, the attack caused extensive destruction of the village’s residential fabric, with approximately 80% of homes suffering total or partial damage. Damage to local infrastructure and insecurity for residents have also been reported as consequences of the incident.
Violation of Distinction and Proportionality Principles in the Attack on Gogje Village
Gogje village is a purely civilian residential area, and the widespread damage to homes and residents’ property raises serious concerns about compliance with the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. Under these principles, parties to any armed conflict are obliged to distinguish between military and civilian objects and refrain from attacking civilians and their property.
International humanitarian law, particularly in Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, prohibits attacks on civilian residential areas or civilian property (Articles 48 and 52). Even if a military objective exists in an area, any attack must observe the principle of proportionality, meaning incidental civilian harm must not be excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage (Article 51). Furthermore, parties must take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm (Article 57 of the same Protocol).
Criminal Responsibility and the Need for Independent Investigation
Widespread destruction of civilian property, if carried out without military necessity, may constitute a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and even qualify as a war crime; an issue also referenced in Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Given the scale of reported damage, an independent and transparent investigation is essential to clarify the nature of the targeted object, the extent of damage, and possible responsibility of the perpetrators. Compliance with the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians and their property, is an obligation that must be respected under all circumstances.
