Latest news with #ArmsControlAssociation
NDTV
a day ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Israel-Iran Conflict: How 'Cluster Bomb' Works, Why It's Controversial
New Delhi: Israel has alleged that Iran fired a missile with cluster bomb warhead on a civilian area. The missile started releasing the bomblets at an altitude of 23,000 feet (7 km). The Iranian missile scattered at least 20 bomblets across a radius of 8 km. Here are 5 points about cluster munitions One of the small munitions struck a home in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing some damage, Times of Israel reported. There were no reports of casualties from the bomb. Cluster bombs are controversial because they indiscriminately scatter submunitions, some of which can fail to explode and kill or injure long after a conflict ends. Iran and Israel declined to join a 2008 international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster bombs that has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities. After extensive debate, the US in 2023 supplied Ukraine with cluster munitions for use against Russian forces. Kyiv says Russian troops have also fired cluster munitions. "They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts," Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group, told news agency Reuters.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
What Is A Cluster Bomb? Weapon Behind Iran's June 19 Missile Strike On Israel
A missile fired by Iran towards Israel on June 19 has raised concerns about cluster bombs, a weapon known for causing serious harm to civilians. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that at least one of the projectiles launched as part of the barrage contained a cluster bomb warhead, marking the first reported use of such munitions in the ongoing conflict. What is a cluster bomb? A cluster bomb is a weapon designed to release smaller bombs or 'submunitions' over a wide area. Instead of detonating in a single explosion, the bomb opens mid-air — often at high altitude — scattering multiple smaller explosives across a broad target zone. In Iran's June 19 attack, the Israeli military reported the missile's warhead detonated at around seven kilometres above ground, releasing approximately 20 submunitions across an eight-kilometre radius in central Israel. These munitions are not guided or self-propelled. They just fall to the ground and are intended to explode on impact. Why are cluster bombs controversial? The controversy lies in their indiscriminate nature and their tendency to leave behind unexploded ordnance. Because many of these munitions fail to explode upon landing, they can remain active, posing a grave danger to civilians who unknowingly come near or in contact with them. 'They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts,' said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association. What damage did the June 19 attack cause One of the submunitions from the Iranian missile struck a home in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing material damage, The Times Of Israel reported. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The Israeli Home Front Command later issued a public safety advisory through X (formerly Twitter), warning residents to be alert. It said, 'This morning we experienced a missile strike capable of dispersing small munitions over a relatively wide area. It is possible that some of the munitions will remain on the ground and not explode. Do not touch any fallen objects or suspicious objects. Immediately call 100.' הבוקר חווינו פגיעה של טיל בעל יכולת פיזור של חימושים קטנים המתפזרים בשטח רחב יחסית. יתכן שחלק מהחימושים יישארו על הקרקע ולא יתפוצצו. לא נוגעים בנפלים או בחפץ חשוד, מיד מתקשרים 100. — פיקוד העורף (@PikudHaoref1) June 19, 2025 How cluster bombs differ from traditional missiles While a standard ballistic missile detonates in one concentrated blast, cluster munitions are designed to spread destruction across a wider area. A senior Israeli military official told The Times of Israel that although each individual munition is less powerful, such a missile poses a threat to a much wider area than Iran's other ballistic missile warheads. This makes them dangerous in populated zones, where the smaller munitions may hit civilians, homes, or infrastructure. Are cluster bombs banned? The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty, bans the use, stockpiling, transfer and production of cluster bombs. A total of 111 countries and 12 other entities have signed on. But key military powers, including Iran, Israel and the US, have refused to join the treaty. In 2023, following debate, the US supplied cluster munitions to Ukraine to aid in its defence against Russian forces. Kyiv alleges that Russia has also used cluster munitions in the ongoing war. Like Iran and Israel, both the US and Russia have declined to sign the treaty.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Iran Fires Cluster Bomb-Bearing Missiles At Israel As Conflict Enters 8th Day
Iran fired at least one missile at Israel that scattered small bombs with the aim of increasing civilian casualties, the Israeli military said on Thursday, the first reported use of cluster munitions in the seven-day-old war. Israeli military officials provided no further details. Israeli news reports quoted the Israeli military as saying the missile's warhead split open at an altitude of about 4 miles (7 km) and released around 20 submunitions in a radius of around 5 miles (8 km) over central Israel. One of the small munitions struck a home in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing some damage, Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel Fabian reported. There were no reports of casualties from the bomb. Cluster bombs are controversial because they indiscriminately scatter submunitions, some of which can fail to explode and kill or injure long after a conflict ends. The Israeli military released a graphic as a public warning of the dangers of unexploded ordnance. "The terror regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximize the scope of the damage," Israel's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, told a briefing. Iran's mission to the United Nations and Israel's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group. Noting that Iranian missiles can be imprecise, he said that Tehran should know that cluster munitions "are going to hit civilian targets rather than military targets." Iran and Israel declined to join a 2008 international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster bombs that has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities. After extensive debate, the US in 2023 supplied Ukraine with cluster munitions for use against Russian occupation forces. Kyiv says Russian troops also have fired them. The three countries declined to join the Convention Against Cluster Munitions.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Iran fired cluster bomb-laden missile to boost civilian harm: Israel
Iran fired at least one missile at Israel that scattered small bombs with the aim of increasing civilian casualties, the Israeli military said on Thursday, the first reported use of cluster munitions in the seven-day-old war. Israeli military officials provided no further details. Israeli news reports quoted the Israeli military as saying the missile's warhead split open at an altitude of about 4 miles (7 km) and released around 20 submunitions in a radius of around 5 miles (8 km) over central Israel. One of the small munitions struck a home in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing some damage, Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel Fabian reported. There were no reports of casualties from the bomb. Cluster bombs are controversial because they indiscriminately scatter submunitions, some of which can fail to explode and kill or injure long after a conflict ends. The Israeli military released a graphic as a public warning of the dangers of unexploded ordnance. 'The terror regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximize the scope of the damage,' Israel's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, told a briefing. Iran's mission to the United Nations and Israel's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group. Noting that Iranian missiles can be imprecise, he said that Tehran should know that cluster munitions "are going to hit civilian targets rather than military targets." Iran and Israel declined to join a 2008 international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster bombs that has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities. After extensive debate, the U.S. in 2023 supplied Ukraine with cluster munitions for use against Russian occupation forces. Kyiv says Russian troops also have fired them. The three countries declined to join the Convention Against Cluster Munitions. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay in Washington; additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem; Editing by Howard Goller)
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israel says Iran fired cluster bomb-bearing missile
Iran fired at least one missile at Israel that scattered small bombs with the aim of increasing civilian casualties, the Israeli military said on Thursday, the first reported use of cluster munitions in the seven-day-old war. Israeli military officials provided no further details. Israeli news reports quoted the Israeli military as saying the missile's warhead split open at an altitude of about 4 miles (7 km) and released around 20 submunitions in a radius of around 5 miles (8 km) over central Israel. One of the small munitions struck a home in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing some damage, Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel Fabian reported. There were no reports of casualties from the bomb. Cluster bombs are controversial because they indiscriminately scatter submunitions, some of which can fail to explode and kill or injure long after a conflict ends. The Israeli military released a graphic as a public warning of the dangers of unexploded ordnance. 'The terror regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximize the scope of the damage,' Israel's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, told a briefing. Iran's mission to the United Nations and Israel's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group. Noting that Iranian missiles can be imprecise, he said that Tehran should know that cluster munitions "are going to hit civilian targets rather than military targets." Iran and Israel declined to join a 2008 international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster bombs that has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities. After extensive debate, the U.S. in 2023 supplied Ukraine with cluster munitions for use against Russian occupation forces. Kyiv says Russian troops also have fired them. The three countries declined to join the Convention Against Cluster Munitions. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
