According to the first principle of the Law of War, you should

• A. Fight only enemy combatants
• B. Fight any armed person you encounter
• C. Target civilians who resist
• D. Treat all combatants the same as enemies

Answer: (A)

Discrimination between combatants and civilians is the guiding idea here. The first principle of the Law of War requires directing force only at enemy combatants and legitimate military objectives, while sparing civilians and other noncombatants from harm. So you should fight only those who are lawful military targets, not unarmed civilians or bystanders. Attacking civilians or treating all armed persons as enemies would violate this protection. Remember that civilians who directly participate in hostilities can become targets for the time they participate, but the overarching rule is to avoid harm to civilians and focus on enemy combatants.