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Are Suspect Terrorists Legitimate Targets of ‘Signature’ Drone Strikes? Challenges to the Principle of Distinction in the US ‘Global War on Terror’

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  • Michele Piccolo

    (Exchange Study Program in International Security and Law Syddanks Universitet (SDU) Joint Master’s Degree in International Security Studies, Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari Sant’Anna Pisa Università degli Studi di Trento)

Abstract

The US has initiated its drone strike policy as one of the main operations in its ‘Global War on Terror’ against Al-Qaeda and its affiliates. Armed drones have been implemented in the US military deterrence to eliminate suspect terrorists. This paper analyzes the so-called ‘signature’ drone strikes that have been covert by the classified protocols of their operators: the CIA. The term ‘suspect terrorists’ joined to ‘signature’, and the secrecy of the policy has led to raising questions on the legality of the whole US practice under international humanitarian law (IHL). Specifically, the paper aims at assessing the status of the US ‘signature’ drone strikes policy vis-à -vis the principle of distinction. It will focus on understanding whether these individuals are legitimate targets in light of IHL, assuming, without questioning, the existence of a non-international armed conflict between the US and Al-Qaeda.

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  • Michele Piccolo, 2023. "Are Suspect Terrorists Legitimate Targets of ‘Signature’ Drone Strikes? Challenges to the Principle of Distinction in the US ‘Global War on Terror’," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(2), pages 468-476, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:7:y:2023:i:2:p:468-476
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