POW camps are considered what type of target?

POW camps, or prisoner of war camps, are established to detain enemy combatants captured during armed conflict and are governed by international laws, including the Geneva Conventions. These laws create specific protections for individuals detained in such facilities.

They are considered legal targets in warfare, meaning that attacking them would be viewed as a violation of international humanitarian law. While a military commander might derive tactical advantages from targeting combatants, POW camps are meant to abide by humanitarian principles and thus are treated as legal installations.

The designation of POW camps as military or strategic targets does not hold up under scrutiny because they serve a legal function and are not intended to carry out offensive military operations in the same manner as active military bases or weapon stockpiles. This context highlights the importance of distinguishing between types of targets in conflict scenarios, where the legal status and treatment of POWs is paramount.