Humanitarian Interventions

Humanitarian Interventions — Point-Wise Notes

🚨 Definition:

• Use of military force by states or international coalitions to address severe human rights violations or humanitarian crises in another country.

✅ Justification:

• Based on global interdependence and the need for regional stability.
• Moral obligation to protect civilians and alleviate suffering.

🤔 Ethical Dilemmas:

• Violation of national sovereignty vs. responsibility to protect (R2P).
• Selectivity and potential geopolitical bias in choosing intervention sites.
• Risk of prolonging conflicts or causing unintended civilian harm.
• Accountability of intervening powers.

🗓️ Key Examples of Humanitarian Interventions:

• 1991 – Operation Provide Comfort (Northern Iraq, US-led): Protection of Kurds post-Gulf War.
• 1992 – Operation Restore Hope (Somalia, UN & US): Humanitarian aid and security in famine-stricken Somalia; ultimately unsuccessful due to complex local dynamics.
• 1994, 2004, 2022 – Haiti Interventions (US): Troops sent to restore order amidst political instability and gang violence; substantial humanitarian aid (~$300 million in last 3 years).
• 1994 – Operation Turquoise (Rwanda, French): Safe zones established for Hutu refugees after genocide; controversial for alleged political motives.
• 1999 – Operation Allied Forces (NATO in Kosovo): Air strikes stopped Serbian ethnic cleansing, protecting Kosovo civilians.
• 1999 – UN-backed Australian force in East Timor: Took control from Indonesia to stabilize the region.
• 2000 – UK intervention in Sierra Leone: Protecting citizens and supporting elected government against rebels.
• 2003 – United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL): Stabilization post-civil war.
• 2006 – UNIFIL expansion in Lebanon: Maintaining peace after 2006 Lebanon War.
• 2011 – NATO-led intervention in Libya: Civilian protection during Libyan Civil War; led to regime collapse and instability.
• 2013 – Operation Sangaris (French-led in Central African Republic): Stabilizing conflict and violence.
• 2014 – US-led coalition airstrikes against ISIS (Iraq & Syria): Combatting terrorism and protecting civilians.
• 2014 – International aid for Ebola outbreak in West Africa: Non-military humanitarian intervention.
• 2015 – Saudi-led intervention in Yemen: Attempted to restore government; resulted in severe humanitarian crisis.
• 2017 – Aid to Rohingya refugees (Myanmar): Led mainly by international organizations and neighbors.
• 2018 – Humanitarian missions for Venezuelan crisis.
• 2021 – Increased humanitarian aid after Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.