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.
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