Which type of force is often restrained during warfare to protect non-combatants?

Indiscriminate force refers to the use of weaponry or tactics that cannot be aimed at specific military targets, which often results in widespread destruction and civilian casualties. During warfare, there is an acknowledgment of the need to protect non-combatants, which is one of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. By restraining the use of indiscriminate force, military operations can aim to minimize harm to civilians and comply with ethical and legal standards.

In contrast, conventional forces are typically deployed with specific goals and strategies in mind, aiming to engage in direct conflict, which may not always consider the impact on non-combatants. Strategic force tends to focus on broader military objectives and might involve targeted actions that could still inadvertently affect civilian populations. Retaliatory force is often employed as a response to an attack, which does not inherently address the concern of protecting non-combatants, as it might lead to further violence and escalation of conflict without regard to civilian safety. Therefore, recognizing the necessity to protect non-combatants is a key reason why indiscriminate force is restrained in warfare.