Spain
Practice Relating to Rule 4. Definition of Armed Forces
Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996) states that all armed forces have to be organized, have a commander responsible for the conduct of his or her subordinates and an internal disciplinary system which ensures compliance with IHL.
Spain’s LOAC Manual (2007) states that all armed forces have to be organized, have a commander responsible for the conduct of his or her subordinates, and an internal disciplinary system which ensures compliance with IHL.
Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996) states that members of the Guardia Civil are lawful combatants.
Pursuant to Spain’s Military Criminal Code (1985), the Guardia Civil is an armed military body that exclusively falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence, in times of siege warfare or when called upon to carry out missions of a military nature.