US includes controversial cluster munitions in aid to Ukraine again.
The Biden Administration Provides Ukraine with Controversial Munitions
The Biden administration has made the decision to supply Ukraine with a type of munition that has been banned in over a hundred countries due to the risks it poses to civilians. This marks the second time this week that Ukraine will receive these munitions.
In July, President Joe Biden agreed to provide Ukraine with 155 mm cluster artillery ammunition, which contains submunitions that explode in the air above a target, releasing smaller bomblets over a wider area. However, these submunitions can become landmines if they fail to detonate, posing a long-term threat to civilians even after a conflict ends.
“That includes additional ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS systems, anti-armor capabilities, artillery, ammunition, and more [dual-purpose improved conventional munition], which have helped Ukraine make gains and crucially also helped Ukraine defend against counterattacks,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday.
The cluster munitions were included in a $325 million aid package announced on Thursday, despite the controversy surrounding them. This is the first time they have been included in aid packages since July.
“They were included in this one because Ukraine has found them to be very effective for their counteroffensive, and we and the Ukrainians believe that giving them another tranche will help build on the momentum they have achieved in recent weeks on the battlefield,” a national security council spokesman told the Washington Examiner.
According to a report from the Cluster Munition Coalition, over 300 people were killed and more than 600 were wounded by cluster munitions in Ukraine in 2022. Shockingly, civilians accounted for 95% of the casualties caused by these munitions.
The decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions was made in part due to the depletion of the U.S.’s own stockpile throughout the war in Ukraine and Russia’s use of them. However, human rights groups have criticized this decision, citing the threat they pose to civilians.
“Unexploded submunitions pose a long-term, unpredictable threat to the population, with the potential to cause death or physical harm, as well as significant psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” said Alice Jill Edwards, the U.N. special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
While more than 120 states are part of the Convention of Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use and stockpiling of these munitions, the United States is not a signatory. Despite concerns, it has been stated that Ukraine is using the munitions effectively and impacting Russia’s defensive formations.
Overall, the decision to provide Ukraine with these controversial munitions has sparked debate and raised concerns about the potential harm to civilians.
Is it possible for the international community to find alternative means of supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts without resorting to the use of cluster munitions
5 million military aid package to Ukraine, which also includes anti-armor capabilities and artillery ammunition. While the Biden administration argues that these munitions are necessary to help Ukraine defend against counterattacks, the decision has been met with criticism from human rights organizations and other countries.
The use of cluster munitions is highly controversial due to the significant risk they pose to civilians. When these munitions are deployed, they disperse smaller bomblets over a wide area. While the intention is to target military installations and infrastructure, the reality is that many of these bomblets fail to detonate upon impact, effectively becoming landmines.
According to the Cluster Munition Monitor, an international monitoring network, over a hundred countries have banned the use of cluster munitions due to the indiscriminate harm they cause to civilians. These weapons have a high rate of dud bomblets, which continue to pose a threat to civilians long after a conflict has ended. The remnants of cluster munitions have been known to explode upon contact, causing severe injuries and death to unsuspecting individuals, including children.
Given the well-documented risks associated with cluster munitions, many argue that it is irresponsible for the Biden administration to provide Ukraine with these controversial weapons. Human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have criticized the decision, calling for the immediate halt of the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine.
In response to criticism, the Biden administration has emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities and its ability to withstand potential counterattacks. National security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the additional ammunition provided to Ukraine, including the controversial cluster munitions, has been instrumental in Ukraine’s defense against counterattacks.
While it is crucial to support Ukraine’s defense efforts, it is equally important to consider the potential harm that the use of cluster munitions can inflict on civilians. The international community must work together to find alternative means of supporting Ukraine’s defense without resorting to weapons that have been deemed unacceptable due to the harm they cause to non-combatants.
In conclusion, the decision by the Biden administration to provide Ukraine with controversial cluster munitions raises concerns among human rights organizations and other countries. While the intention may be to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities, the use of these weapons poses significant risks to civilians. It is critical for the international community to address these concerns and find alternative solutions that prioritize the protection and well-being of innocent civilians in conflict zones.
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