Spain
Practice Relating to Rule 54. Attacks against Objects Indispensable to the Survival of the Civilian Population
Section C. Attacks in case of military necessity
Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996) provides that the prohibition of attacks against objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population does not apply where derogation of the prohibition is required by imperative military necessity.
The manual allows one derogation from the prohibition of attacks against objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population if the defence of the national territory against the danger of an invasion imperatively so demands.
Spain’s LOAC Manual (2007) states:
Objects indispensable to survival may be destroyed, removed or rendered useless as a method of defence against invading forces if there is an “imperative military necessity”.
The manual further states:
However, if such objects are attacked, it must be ensured that the civilian population is not deprived of food or water to the extent that it suffers starvation or is forced to move.