July 20, 2023: What are cluster bombs and why is the US supplying them to Ukraine?
The United States supplying cluster bombs to Ukraine has caused concern among its important allies like Italy, Spain, Germany, and the UK, who are members of NATO. These countries have expressed opposition to the use of cluster bombs, which have been banned by over 100 nations due to the serious risk they pose to civilians.
Cluster bombs release smaller explosive bomblets that often fail to detonate, leaving behind dangerous remnants that can remain active for years and explode unexpectedly. Despite the UK complying with the ban, the US argues that providing cluster bombs is necessary due to Ukraine's diminishing weapon stocks.
NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) - NATO, which stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an alliance formed by several countries to work together, share resources and support each other in times of need. NATO countries agree to defend each other if any one of them is attacked, it serves to discourage possible attackers and keeps the member countries safer. There are currently 31 members(countries) in the organisation.
President Joe Biden has announced that the United States will supply Ukraine with cluster bombs as part of an $800 million military aid package. He reassured that the matter had been discussed with allied nations prior to the decision.
Peter Ricketts, former UK national security adviser, admitted feeling uneasy about the decision, acknowledging it as a challenging choice that arises during times of conflict. While expressing his discomfort, Ricketts recognized the underlying reasons behind the decision.
What are Cluster bombs and why are they banned?
Cluster bombs are a type of weapon that is designed to cause widespread destruction by releasing a large number of smaller explosive devices called bomblets.
They could be ground launched or air-dropped explosives.
These bomblets are packed together inside the cluster bomb and are scattered over a wide area when the bomb is dropped or launched. Each bomblet is like a small bomb on its own. Once released, they can explode upon impact or after a set time delay. The intention is to target a larger area and inflict damage on multiple targets simultaneously.
Now that sounds like any other bomb or weapon used during warfare with the intention of causing harm. So what's the problem with just another explosive device?
The reason behind the ban:
While other bombs or missiles are mostly targeted on certain areas or specifically cause damage to the enemy military, military establishments or commercial establishment to cripple the enemies military strength or economy and not causing intentional damage to civilians.
The Cluster bombs pose significant risks to civilian populations.
Many bomblets fail to explode upon impact and can become unexploded remnants that remain dangerous even after the conflict is over. These bombs can stay active for years and can be triggered by individuals who have no idea of what it is, such as children or farmers working in the area.
They can also detonate unpredictably, causing harm to civilians long after the initial attack.
Due to the potential harm they cause to innocent people, cluster bombs have been banned by more than 100 countries worldwide. The international community recognizes their indiscriminate nature and the long-lasting impact they have on civilian populations, which is why efforts have been made to eliminate their use and ensure the safety of communities affected by armed conflicts.
Which countries still use cluster bombs?
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, both Russia and Ukraine have been using cluster munitions. None of these countries have signed the treaty that prohibits the use of these weapons. While the United States has also not signed the treaty, it has previously criticised Russia for extensively employing cluster munitions. Russian cluster munitions are reported to have a high failure rate of 40%, meaning a significant number of them do not explode and pose a danger on the ground. In comparison, the average failure rate for cluster munitions is estimated to be around 20%.
Why is Ukraine asking the USA for them?
Ukraine is running critically low on artillery shells because they are being used up at a very fast rate, just like Russia. Unfortunately, Ukraine's allies from the West cannot provide replacements quickly enough. In the static battle lines of southern and eastern Ukraine, artillery has become a crucial weapon. Ukraine now faces the tough challenge of removing the Russian forces spread across a 1,000km battlefront. However, Ukraine doesn't have enough artillery shells, so they have asked the United States to supply them with cluster munitions. These would be used to target the Russian soldiers in defensive trenches.
The decision for the United States hasn't been easy, and many Democrats and human rights advocates strongly oppose it. The debate has been going on for at least six months.
Cluster munitions are considered a terrible weapon because they cause indiscriminate harm. They have been banned in many parts of the world for good reason.
This action by the US is expected to create some disagreement with its Western allies.