Defense Secretary Mark Esper contradicts Trump and says U.S. military WILL NOT target Iranian cultural sites as he insists that the U.S. will 'follow the laws of armed conflict'
Daily Mail
January 7, 2020
Defense Secretary Mark Esper has contradicted President Donald Trump by saying the U.S. military will not target Iranian cultural sites.
The Pentagon chief on Monday distanced himself from Trump's assertions that he would bomb Iranian cultural sites despite international prohibitions on such attacks.
Esper insisted that the U.S. will 'follow the laws of armed conflict'.
When asked if that ruled out targeting cultural sites, Esper said pointedly: 'That's the laws of armed conflict.'
The split between Trump and Esper came amid heightened tensions with Iran following a U.S. drone strike that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani - the head of Iran's elite Quds Force.
Trump had twice warned that he would hit Iranian cultural sites if Iran retaliates against the U.S.
Esper's public comments reflected the private concerns of other defense and military officials, who cited legal prohibitions on attacks on civilian, cultural and religious sites, except under certain, threatening circumstances.
Specifically, the 1954 Hague Convention says nations must 'take all possible steps' to protect cultural property and shall refrain 'from any act of hostility, directed against such property.' It also says nations must not use cultural sites for any threatening purposes that would make such locations a military target.
1 comment:
Do used camel lots count as culturally sensitive locations?
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