WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — All US armed service branches have previously published works on the law of war as resources for their personnel. However, a Department-wide law of war manual has never before been published, the statement noted.
“The manual is the product of a multi-year effort by military and civilian lawyers from across the Defense Department to develop a department-wide resource.”
The new manual is designed to be used by US military commanders, legal practitioners and other military and civilian personnel regarding international law principles governing armed conflict, according to the statement.
“[It] provides a comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of the law of war for the practical use of operational lawyers and others at headquarters and in the field,” Defense Department General Counsel Stephen Preston was quoted as saying by the Department of Defense News.
Officials told the News that the mew war manual was the product of a multi-year effort by military and civilian lawyers across the Defense Department.