Western Front, Aerial Bombardment and Related Claims, Partial Award-Eritrea's Claims

Ethiopia bombed a not-yet-fully-operational Eritrean power station that, during its testing phase, had already supplied power to a nearby naval base and port and was slated to power the entire country once complete, at a time when Eritrea's existing power plant was failing. Eritrea claimed the bombing was unlawful because the station was not a legitimate military objective; a witness for Eritrea conceded the new station was going to be a major asset because the existing plant was on its last legs.

Whether an object qualifies as a legitimate military objective under international humanitarian law when it makes an effective contribution to military action and its destruction offers a definite military advantage.