"In military terms, this means that even those who have surrendered will be killed, explains Jacqueline Hellman, an expert in international law at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. The statement "alludes to a practice that is expressly prohibited," she told DW, adding that, as mere rhetoric, this is not punishable. But, she explained, such a statement could be classified as a war crime if it is formulated as an order and results in corresponding actions by the armed forces."
"In early March, he described the rules of engagement for US soldiers as "stupid" during a press conference on the war with Iran, casting doubt on rules intended to prevent war crimes. In mid-March, he declared "no quarter, no mercy for our enemies" in Iran."
Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense and former Fox News commentator, has made controversial statements regarding military engagement rules and enemy treatment. In March, he called rules of engagement "stupid" and declared "no quarter, no mercy for our enemies" regarding Iran, language that international law experts say alludes to prohibited practices. While such rhetoric alone is not legally punishable, it could constitute a war crime if formulated as an order resulting in corresponding military actions. Hegseth has faced previous accusations linking him to war crimes, including allegations regarding lethal strikes on suspected Venezuelan smuggling boats, though he has denied issuing kill orders and military officials have corroborated alternative accounts.
Read at www.dw.com
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