Jihadists Do Not Abide By Rules of Engagement

Submitted by Mike Ramirez (United States), Jul 2, 2014 at 00:12

Dr. Pipes, in your article's itemized comment line, (2), it states in part: "...to agree on some basic terms of combat, such as not using waterworks as a weapon of war."

While there once was a time when Rules of Engagement (ROE) were agreed upon and expected to be followed as set forth by the Geneva Convention, the reality is that we are now engaged with an ideological threat that compels the jihadist mentality to use all forms of strategies to win. While the agreed upon ROE were also designed to minimize harm to civilians as well as afford civil treatment to prisoners of war, the jihadist mentality has no sense of respecting civilians, including women and children nor is there given consideration for prisoners of war who are quickly shot and/or beheaded. Nor is there respect for protection of natural resources or useful facilities constructed for the well being of society.

Remember all the oil wells and refineries deliberately set ablaze by Saddam Hussein's army? Additionally, the continued fear of jihadists poisoning public water supplies is also at the front of threats that could happen. The point is that this is a different type of war and the jihadist enemy-combatant is not going to follow any ROE that benefits their enemy. This is especially allowed and considered admirable when the belief is that becoming a martyr and killing as many infidels as possible is the highest honor and that the result will be immediate entry into their "paradise".

Sure, we can try to set certain ROE but with the actions we presently see by the jihadist combatants how realistic will it be to ask them to fight fair and "play by the rules" ?

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