Why small guns have been critical to layered CUAS architectures
Multiple countries have been deploying small arms as the last line of drone defence due to their multiple operational and tactical advantages.
Western air strikes in Syria illegal: German parliament experts
The air strikes unleashed in Syria by Western allies in mid-April were a violation of international law, jurists at the German parliament said in a report 20 April.
'The use of military force against a state, as a sanction against the violation of an international convention by this state, is an infringement of the prohibition of the use of violence in international law,' said the Bundestag experts in a reply to a question filed by the far-left Die Linke party.
The Bundestag experts referred in particular to the UN declaration from their 1970 general assembly which stresses 'the duty of States to refrain in their international relations from military, political, economic or any other form of coercion aimed against the political independence or territorial integrity of any State'.
The UN Security Council had also rejected armed retaliation, calling it 'incompatible with the objectives and the principles' of the United Nations.
The legal motive put forward by the UK, which joined in the air strikes alongside the US and France, was also 'not convincing' according to the Bundestag experts.
London said it was 'both right and legal' to launch strikes to alleviate humanitarian suffering.
But the experts said there were questions over 'whether the military attacks are really appropriate to prevent further suffering' in Syria.
On 14 April, the US, UK and France fired missiles meant as a response to what the trio of nations said was evidence Damascus had used chemical weapons a week earlier.
Purported footage of victims foaming at the mouth after the 7 April attack sparked an outcry and prompted the West to launch its biggest military action yet against Assad's regime.
But the military action was carried out without the approval of the UN Security Council, where Assad's ally Russia has a permanent seat and veto.
Germany did not join in the air strikes but Chancellor Angela Merkel called the military action 'necessary and appropriate'.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Why small guns have been critical to layered CUAS architectures]()
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering hints at export success for AME assault rifle family]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering hints at export success for AME assault rifle family
The Singapore-based technology company unveiled its new rifle family at this week’s airshow. Chen Chuanren spoke with the ST Engineering’s head of small arms to find out more about how the weapons have been refined.
-
![High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?]()
High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?
Any potential ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission would be months in the planning, but with tensions high in the region given the US’s push for Greenland, NATO countries will need to continue to emphasise their commitment to the region, analysts have said.
-
![Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack]()
Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack
Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the Venezuelan armed forces “will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defence”.
-
![As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues]()
As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues
The UK’s defence spending commitments remain uncertain as the government’s Defence Investment Plan, which had been due by the end of 2025, is yet to be published.
-
![How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?]()
How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?
Disruption of infrastructure in Europe, whether by cyberattack, physical damage to pipelines or uncrewed aerial vehicles flying over major airports, as has happened more recently, is on the rise. What is the most effective way of countering the aerial aspect of this not-so-open warfare?
