Given the principles for declaring war or taking military intervention, ius ad bellum, a country must meet the following criteria in waging war, ius in bello:
1) Discrimination. Armed forces ought to fight armed forces, and should strive not to harm noncombatants purposefully. Moreover, armed forces should not wantonly destroy the enemy’s countryside, cities or economy simply for the sake of punishment, retaliation or vengeance. This criterion is increasingly important with the development of nuclear, chemical and biological weaponry. Responding to the horrors witnessed in World War II, Vatican II stated, “The development of armaments by modern science has immeasurably magnified the horrors and wickedness of war. Warfare conducted with these weapons can inflict immense and indiscriminate havoc (that) goes far beyond the bounds of legitimate defense. … Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation” (“Gaudium et Spes,” No. 80).
In the case of Syria, sarin gas has been used, killing innocent civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted, “No one doubts that poison gas was used in Syria. But there is every reason to believe it was used not by the Syrian army, but by opposition forces, to provoke intervention by the powerful foreign patrons, who would be siding with the fundamentalists. Reports that militants are preparing another attack — this time against Israel — cannot be ignored.” While such a claim needs to be verified, it cannot be ignored.
Also, the target, which many seem to discount, are the Christians. Patriarch Gregorios III of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church lamented that 450,000 Christians — nearly one-third of the total — have fled the country. (The same is true in Iraq and Egypt.) YouTube has a video of a priest being beheaded in Syria by Islamists. Numerous churches have been destroyed, including St. Elias Church in Izraa, one of the country’s oldest churches dating to A.D. 542. One must ask, “Who then is the real enemy? Do these forces want peace for all people, or simply an Islamic state where ‘the infidel’ has been eliminated?” The answers here, known now, should determine whether these rebel groups deserve support or whether they should be declared as the real enemy.
Also, while not technically part of the criterion of discrimination, no leader should forget that soldiers are not “boots.” Each person is precious to God and to others. To depersonalize the individual human cost of any act of war is callous.
2) Due proportion. Combatants must use only those means necessary to achieve their objectives. For example, no one needs to use nuclear missiles to settle a territorial fishing problem. However, furtively providing arms to the rebels exacerbates the violence; Melkite Greek Catholic Bishop Nicolas Antiba of Bosra and Hauran in Syria said, “I hope that (the United States and its allies) will leave us alone. If arms continue to come into the country, the situation will get worse.” Then, will the arms provided be exported by the rebel groups to incite conflict in other countries, like Jordan?
3) Mercy. Mercy toward civilians in general, toward combatants when the resistance stops (as in the case of surrender and prisoners of war), and toward all parties when the war is finished. Moreover, the victors must help the vanquished to rebuild with a stable government and economy so as to ensure a lasting peace. Will mercy be shown to all, especially the Christians, if the Assad government falls? Again, look at Egypt and Iraq.
While these principles are crucial, we must pursue a resolution through diplomatic channels. Pope Francis, at the vigil of prayer for peace Sept. 7, pleaded, “This evening, I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions, and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: Violence and war are never the way to peace. Leave behind the self-interest that hardens your heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive toward others, conquer your deadly reasoning, and open yourself to dialogue and reconciliation.” May our own American leaders heed these words.
Read Father’s answer to the question, “What is just war theory?“