Simon Ateba
@simonateba
ON THE BRINK OF WW3: This is why cluster munitions
@JoeBiden
will be providing to #Ukraine are banned by many US allies and why #Russia may retaliate with atomic bomb triggering World War Three.
1- Indiscriminate Effects: Cluster munitions are area weapons, meaning they scatter bomblets over a wide area. This makes it difficult to limit their effects to specific military targets and increases the risk of harm to civilians. The wide dispersal pattern and imprecise nature of cluster munitions make it challenging to discriminate between combatants and non-combatants.
2- Unexploded Ordnance: Cluster munitions have a high failure rate, with a significant number of submunitions failing to explode upon impact. These unexploded bomblets can remain active for long periods, effectively turning into landmines. They pose a persistent threat to civilian populations, causing casualties and hindering post-conflict recovery efforts.
3- Humanitarian Impact: The use of cluster munitions has resulted in significant civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries. Children are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of unexploded submunitions due to their curiosity and limited awareness of the risks. The long-lasting humanitarian impact of cluster munitions can impede the safe return of displaced persons, agricultural activities, and overall societal recovery.
4- Damage to Infrastructure: Cluster munitions can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, and utilities. Their wide dispersal pattern and explosive power make them destructive, affecting not only military targets but also critical civilian infrastructure essential for communities to function.
5- Legal and Moral Concerns: The use of cluster munitions raises legal and moral concerns. While not all countries have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, there is growing international consensus on the need to limit or eliminate their use due to the humanitarian harm they cause. Their use can be seen as a violation of international humanitarian law and may lead to condemnation by the international community.
The US will provide cluster bombs to Ukraine and defends the delivery of the controversial weapon