chunk1

ABSTRACT. This article analyses whether the military operation against the “Islamic State” in Syria led to a modification of the right to self-defence in customary international law. It outlines the arguments presented by some States in favour of a right to self-defence against the IS as a non-State actor. It also explains that, in contradiction with the traditional temporal understanding of the right to self-defence, some of the States intervening in Syria assert a right to react to imminent armed attacks or even to a simple threat of armed attacks committed by the IS. This article shows that there is limited international acceptance of a broad right to self-defence as a justification for the military involvement in Syria. It concludes that neither a right to self-defence against a non-State actor, nor a right to self-defence in reaction to potential future attacks, has crystallised in customary international law. However it acknowledges that the fight directed against the IS in Syria constitutes another step towards the emergence of a customary right to self-defence against non-State actors in response to current or future armed attacks.

Keywords: right to self-defence; right to anticipatory self-defence; right to pre-emptive self-defence; State; non-State actor; “Islamic State”

How to cite: Couzigou, Irène (2017), “The Fight against the ‘Islamic State’ in Syria: Towards the Modification of the Right to Self-Defence?,” Geopolitics, History, and International Relations 9(2): 80–106.

Received 30 April 2016 • Received in revised form 15 December 2016
Accepted 16 December 2016 • Available online 28 December 2016

doi:10.22381/GHIR9220174

IRENE COUZIGOU
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Law School,
University of Aberdeen

Home | About Us | Events | Our Team | Contributors | Peer Reviewers | Editing Services | Books | Contact | Online Access

© 2009 Addleton Academic Publishers. All Rights Reserved.

 
Joomla templates by Joomlashine