Anon-belligerent is a person, astate, or other organization that does not fight in a given conflict. The term is often used to describe a country that does not take partmilitarily in awar.[1]
A non-belligerent state differs from aneutral one in that it may support certainbelligerents in a war but is not directly involved inmilitary operations.The term may also be used to describe a person not involved incombat or aggression, especially if combat or aggression is likely. In a situation ofcivil unrest such as ariot,civilians may be divided into belligerents, those actually fighting or intending to fight, and non-belligerents who are merely bystanders.
During World War II, Spain allowed and promoted theSpanish Blue Division of volunteers and conscripts to join the German forces on the condition that they would fight against the Soviet Union only and they would do it with German equipment and uniforms. At the same time, allied aircraft made emergency landings in Spanish territories (Melilla, Mallorca) and the Spanish government returned the crews home safely. The aircraft were either scrapped due to poor condition or repaired and allocated in the Spanish Air Force if not reclaimed, or after a negotiated purchase.[citation needed]
A notable example of a non-belligerent in an environment oftotal war was the United States' military support of theAllies inWorld War II, prior to their entry into the war following theJapanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The military support given by the Americans was through theDestroyers-for-bases deal in which the United States provide the United Kingdom "all possible assistance short of war" in the words ofWinston Churchill.
From September 1939 to June 1940, when it joined the war withGermany,Italy was a non-belligerent.[1]
Although officiallyIreland declared itself neutral in World War II, it can be disputed whether it was a non-belligerent or not,[2] asThe Cranborne Report drew up by theViscount Cranborne to the British War Cabinet noted regarding Irish-British collaboration. An example of such collaboration was the permission for Allied use ofIrish airspace for military means.
WhileSweden did not officially fight in theWinter War,a new Flying regiment was formed out of volunteers to aid Finland and took charge of defendingFinnish Lapland; the aircraft for the regiment came directly fromSwedish Air Force inventory.
TheArticle 9 of the Constitution of Japan denies the right of belligerence of states, in order to accomplish "international peace based on justice and order".[3]
TheUnited Kingdom's government showed support for the United States in theVietnam War, but the countrydid not send troops to fight in the war.
During the ongoingRussian invasion of Ukraine, the NATO states provide military equipment and economic support to Ukraine.
Along with the US, the political stance of theNetherlands during the2003 invasion of Iraq was described by politicians as "political support, but no military support".[4][unreliable source]