CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
The reported deployment of a cluster bomb by Iran during a recent missile attack on Israel has once again brought global attention to the controversial and highly destructive nature of these weapons. The use of such munitions, particularly in populated areas, has raised ethical, humanitarian, and legal concerns.
About Cluster Bombs
Cluster bombs, also known as cluster munitions, are a type of explosive weapon system that disperses numerous smaller submunitions often referred to as bomblets over a wide area either before impact or upon explosion. These weapons are typically delivered through aircraft or launched via artillery and missile systems.
Once released, the bomb casing opens mid-air, scattering bomblets over an area that can span several hundred square meters, roughly equivalent to several football fields. These bomblets are designed to detonate either on impact or with a timed delay.
Dangers Posed By Unexploded Ordnance
One of the most pressing dangers of cluster munitions lies in their high failure or "dud" rate. A significant percentage of bomblets fail to explode as intended, remaining active and highly dangerous long after a conflict has ended. These unexploded ordnances effectively become landmines, posing serious risks to civilians, especially children, and complicating post-war recovery efforts.
Estimates of dud rates vary depending on design and conditions but can range from as low as 2% to as high as 40%. In densely populated regions, this failure rate significantly increases the threat to human life.
Military Function vs. Civilian Risk
Cluster bombs are engineered to inflict damage on a wide range of targets, including enemy personnel and lightly armoured vehicles. Some modern designs, such as the U.S.-produced Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM), combine anti-personnel and anti-materiel capabilities.
However, their inability to differentiate between combatants and non-combatants makes their use in urban or civilian-heavy zones particularly controversial. The widespread dispersal of bomblets means that even a targeted strike can cause indiscriminate harm, often resulting in civilian casualties and long-term socioeconomic disruption.
International Ban And Convention On Cluster Munitions
In response to the humanitarian impact of these weapons, the international community adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in 2008, which came into force in 2010. This landmark treaty prohibits the use, development, stockpiling, transfer, and production of cluster munitions.
As of 2025, 111 countries and 12 regional entities have ratified or acceded to the convention. According to the United Nations, approximately 99% of the declared global stockpiles of cluster bombs have been destroyed under the treaty’s mandates.
Despite this progress, several key military powers including Iran, Israel, the United States, Russia, China, and India have not signed the agreement. These countries argue the strategic utility of cluster munitions in military operations, though their stance continues to attract criticism from humanitarian and disarmament organizations.
Conclusion
The alleged use of a cluster bomb in the Iran-Israel conflict serves as a stark reminder of the lingering dangers of such weaponry. While the CCM has significantly reduced the global stockpile and deployment of cluster munitions, the absence of major powers from the treaty continues to hinder global disarmament efforts. The humanitarian toll of these weapons calls for renewed international dialogue on their prohibition and for expanding adherence to the treaty, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions.
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