Eck & Hultman’s great study about the deliberate killing of civilians finds rebels are nearly six times as likely to target civilians than government forces during territorial conflict. The authors find the results puzzling since rebels often rely on local populations for support and protection. Their explanation is that the disparity in the targeting of civilians is caused by the prevalence of ethnic-based rebellions using cleansing-like strategies to assert authority over a territory.
Eck, Kristine, and Lisa Hultman. 2007. “One-Sided Violence Against Civilians in War: Insights from New Fatality Data.” Journal of Peace Research 44(2):233-246.
Picture: Ivan Bohun, a Ukrainian Cossack colonel.
Christopher R. Albon is a political science Ph.D. specializing in armed conflict, public health, human security, and health diplomacy.
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