Italy
Practice Relating to Rule 3. Definition of Combatants
Italy’s IHL Manual (1991) defines “lawful combatants” as:
a. members of the Armed Forces;
b. members of militia, of volunteer corps, of resistance movements, who belong to a Party to the conflict, operating outside or inside their own territory, even if this territory is occupied, provided they fulfil the following conditions:
1. being under a Head responsible for his own subordinates;
2. wear a uniform or a fixed distinctive sign recognisable from a distance;
3. carry arms openly;
4. abide by the laws and customs of war.
Italy’s LOAC Elementary Rules Manual (1991) states: “All members of the Armed Forces (except medical and religious personnel) are combatants.”
Italy’s Combatant’s Manual (1998) states: “Anyone who takes part in military operations or activities is considered a combatant.”