Eye in the Sky: An Examination of the Rules of Conflict in Unforeseen Events

"Eye in the Sky" was a thought-provoking film that uncovered and explored the
complexities of warfare and armed conflict. It presented the intricate dynamics of military
operations and the difficult positions decision-makers face in achieving certain objectives.
The narrative of the film revolved around Operation Cobra, which was a mission to
capture high-profiled terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. This operation involved the collaboration of
military and intelligence personnel from the United Kingdom (UK), the United States, and
Kenya. Initially, the plan was for Kenyan Special Forces to capture the high-valued individuals
and have them tried at their home countries. However, things quickly escalate when surveillance
footages captured the targets and what looked to be a plot for a suicide bombing attack. With the
imminent threat posed by the presence of suicide vests and explosives, Colonel Katherine
Powell, the head of the operation, instigated for the mission to authorize the use of lethal force.
As they seek clearance and authorization to launch the Hellfire missiles at the target, Colonel
Powel and the Government Committee of the UK face the challenge of reaching a unified
decision regarding whether granting clearance is the appropriate course of action. One of their
biggest dilemmas revolved around the potential collateral damage, which was a young girl
selling bread near the targeted site. The committee officials engage in a heated debate over
whether to proceed with the missile strike. They are faced with a critical decision of whether to
eliminate the suicide bombers, a move that could result in the death of the girl but potentially
save around 80 people, or to postpone or suspend the attack to spare the life of the girl despite
the risk of increased collateral damage.
Turning to the topic of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), it is of common
understanding that in times of the existence of hostilities, certain rules and regulations are still to
be upheld to ensure that the impact is kept to a minimum. ‘Eye in the Sky’ was a film that
significantly touched on the application of these principles. It incorporated the subjects of ethics,
warfare, and international legal norms.
One of the important IHL principles highlighted in the film was on the rules of
engagement. These were principles of proportionality and necessity that were strongly
considered in the decision making process of the operation. In the aspect of proportionality, it
was emphasized in the earlier portions of the film that Operation Cobra was a capture mission
and not a shoot to kill. The objective was for Kenyan Special Forces to capture the high-value
targets and have them prosecuted in their home country. This was a good observation of the
principle of proportionality as this alternative puts high value on preserving human life, avoiding
causing unnecessary harm to civilians. The missile attack only became favored when there was a
complete change of the premise in the mission.
With the objective shifting to a “shoot to kill,” it was still evident that the members of the
operation still upheld the IHL principles. First, it was pointed out that the Hellfire drone was only
equipped with low collateral damage estimate (CDE) weapons. It was only because of the
explosives that the impact radius became higher. Second, the missile placement was strategically
placed in the compound that would have the least collateral damage. Third, they have done
multiple measures to remove the child from the area. All these constitute actions that respected
the rules of warfare, making efforts to reduce collateral damage in the best possible manner
given the resources and circumstances they had.
On the other hand, while it is a recognized principle that the UN Security Council
generally prohibits the use of force, there are specific exceptions to this rule, which justifies the
necessity of the attack. In the film, the existence of the suicide vests and explosives have become
grounds for imminent danger. It was established that taking action is necessary to prevent a
potential mass casualty event, mitigating the imminent harm posed by the suicide vests. Article
51 of the United Nations Charter, provides justification for this action. One provision in the
article states that the use of force may be permitted as part of anticipatory self-defense. It is
constituted in this provision that there must be imminent danger to be able to use force. The
existence the suicide vest and explosives have become grounds for this circumstance, hence,
authorizing the armed attack.
Another significant IHL concept that was stressed in the film was on the protection of
civilians. Although it was a debate centering on having one instance of collateral damage to
potentially save the lives of many, it was still an undeniable fact that the protection of the
innocent was given priority in the operations. Aside from this, it can also be remembered that the
initial capture operation was halted due to the potential toll of casualties if the mission were to
proceed. There were also multiple efforts done to keep the impact of the missile attack to a
minimum such as the multiple CDE assessments and keeping the child out of the impact zone.
The movie "Eye in the Sky" offers a variety of learnings that can be applied in people’s
everyday lives. For instance, it highlights the crucial significance of international cooperation,
demonstrating how collaborative efforts among nations contribute to a more positive global
environment. The movie also sheds light on the difficult situations our military personnel have to
go through, emphasizing the need for a balance between ethical considerations and logical
decision-making. There’s also the importance of accountability, emphasizing that actions carry
consequences, and meticulous planning is crucial in military operations. And finally, in a world
where conflicts are inevitable, it is paramount that the laws of war, especially the preservation of
life, are strictly upheld, minimizing unnecessary suffering and harm to civilians, if not
completely eliminated.