International humanitarian law
Serious violations of international humanitarian law are called war crimes. International humanitarian law, "jus in bello", regulates the conduct of forces when engaged in war or armed conflict. It is distinct from "jus ad bellum" which regulates the conduct of engaging in war or armed conflict and includes crimes against peace and of war of aggression. Together the "jus in bello" and "jus ad bellum" comprise the two strands of the laws of war governing all aspects of international armed conflicts.