The cluster munitions issue has long been debated in global politics, with activists and human rights advocates arguing that these weapons pose extreme danger to civilians. Debates continue over whether such weapons should be restricted or banned outright, given the potential for massive civilian harm and long-lasting danger in affected areas.
Acknowledged as a type of explosive device, cluster munitions have been prohibited in many parts of the world due to their widespread impact and the lingering danger they create for noncombatants. Their use has been linked to civilian deaths and severe injuries, drawing strong condemnation from humanitarian groups and many governments alike.
What are cluster bombs?
Cluster bombs first entered modern warfare during the mid-20th century. They are designed to deploy numerous smaller submunitions over a broad area, with the goal of hitting dispersed targets such as military formations on open ground. The mechanism involves a container that opens in flight, releasing a large number of submunitions that spread across a wide radius, sometimes extending several hundred meters from the point of release.
Some submunitions explode on impact, while others fail to detonate and remain buried. These unexploded remnants can pose a serious risk to civilians long after combat ends, with the potential to cause casualties when people encounter them years later. International humanitarian organizations have warned that traveling through affected territories can become deadly due to these hidden threats.
Researchers from arms control organizations note that buried ammunition can endanger military personnel returning to liberated areas as well as local communities, underscoring the enduring hazard posed by these weapons.
Has it been used in Ukraine?
Human rights monitors and research groups have documented that such weapons have appeared in the conflict involving Ukraine, and that their use has been observed on multiple sides. Investigations have noted incidents where cluster munitions contributed to casualties, drawing international concern over civilian harm in populated areas.
Reports from human rights bodies and United Nations observers indicate that both sides have been implicated in the use of cluster munitions in various eastern regions, highlighting the complexity and danger of urban warfare where civilians are most at risk.
Why were they banned?
The primary reason for the global ban is the indiscriminate nature of these weapons and the civilian harm they cause. The international community has emphasized that their effects extend far beyond military targets, impacting schools, homes, and hospitals and complicating post-conflict recovery.
In 2008, an international treaty known as the Convention on Cluster Munitions was adopted, entering into force in 2010 after enough countries ratified it. The treaty aims to end the use, production, and transfer of cluster munitions, with provisions addressing lingering remnants and the long-term risks to civilians. A broad group of nations has supported the agreement, including several NATO members.
At the treaty’s entry into force, led by United Nations officials and heads of the international community, the move was hailed as a step toward global disarmament. Some major powers, however, did not join the agreement, leaving room for continued debate about the best path to reduce harm in modern warfare.
What is the USA’s position?
The United States has navigated a cautious path on cluster munitions. The country stopped certain uses in earlier conflicts and shifted toward destruction of dud ordnance and abandoned stockpiles for humanitarian reasons in the past. Later administrations weighed strategic considerations with nonproliferation and civilian protection goals, resulting in complex policy debates within the defense and foreign affairs communities.
In recent discussions, government officials and defense analysts have highlighted concerns about the civilian risks associated with shipments of cluster munitions. Critics argue that such deployments could worsen civilian harm in war zones and complicate relief and recovery efforts for communities seeking to rebuild.