Legal Definitions - bombardment

In international law, bombardment refers to a sustained attack launched from a distance, typically from land, sea, or air, using powerful weapons like bombs, missiles, or artillery shells, with the intent to destroy targets within an enemy's territory or controlled area.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Naval Attack on Coastal Defenses

  During a conflict, a fleet of warships positions itself several miles off an enemy's coast and begins firing large-caliber shells at the enemy's coastal radar installations and anti-ship missile sites. The shells travel a significant distance before impacting and destroying the targets.

  This illustrates bombardment because it is an attack launched from the sea (warships), using projectiles (shells), aimed at destroying enemy targets (radar and missile sites) from a distance.

• Example 2: Air Strikes on Military Infrastructure

  An air force deploys bomber aircraft to drop precision-guided bombs on an enemy's strategically important bridge and a large fuel depot located deep within their territory. The aircraft release their ordnance from high altitudes, ensuring the bombs travel a considerable distance to their targets.

  This demonstrates bombardment as it involves an attack from the air (bomber aircraft), utilizing bombs, with the objective of destroying enemy infrastructure (bridge, fuel depot) from a significant range.

• Example 3: Artillery Barrage on Enemy Positions

  Ground forces set up long-range artillery batteries several kilometers behind their front lines. They then fire a continuous volley of artillery shells and rockets towards an enemy's fortified command center and troop concentrations, aiming to neutralize these positions before an advance.

  This is an example of bombardment because it is an attack originating from land (artillery batteries), employing projectiles (shells and rockets), designed to destroy enemy targets (command center, troop concentrations) at a considerable distance.