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For example, if a commander determines that taking a precaution would result inoperational risk (i.e., a risk of failing to accomplish the mission) or an increased risk of harm totheir own forces, then the precaution would not be feasible and would not be required. 39Similarly, taking a precaution would not be required if it is assessed not to yield ahumanitarian benefit. For example, issuing a warning before an attack would not be requiredwhen civilians are not present. 40 Moreover, it would not be required to use distinctive emblemsto identify civilians and civilian objects as such, if enemy forces are likely to use thatinformation to direct attacks against those civilians and civilian objects. 41Since what precautions are feasible depends greatly on the context and other militaryconsiderations, it would be inaccurate to conclude that specific precautions are required as ageneral rule. For example, there is not a general requirement to use precision-guidedmunitions. 42 Nonetheless, military commanders must make reasonable efforts to reduce the riskof harm to civilians and civilian objects.5.3.3.3 Requirements to Take Precautions Regarding Specific Weapons. Inaddition to the general obligation to take feasible precautions to reduce the risk of harm to thecivilian population and other protected persons and objects, it is specifically provided thatprecautions be taken in connection with certain types of weapons:• mines, booby-traps, or other devices; 43• incendiary weapons; 44• laser systems; 45 and• explosive ordnance. 4639 U.S. Comments on the International Committee of the Red Cross’s Memorandum on the Applicability ofInternational Humanitarian Law in the Gulf Region, Jan. 11, 1991, DIGEST OF UNITED STATES PRACTICE ININTERNATIONAL LAW 1991-1999 2057, 2063 (“‘Feasible precautions’ are reasonable precautions, consistent withmission accomplishment and allowable risk to attacking forces. While collateral damage to civilian objects shouldbe minimized, consistent with the above, collateral damage to civilian objects should not be given the same level ofconcern as incidental injury to civilians. Measures to minimize collateral damage to civilian objects should notinclude steps that will place U.S. and allied lives at greater or unnecessary risk.”).40 Refer to § 5.11.1 (Effective Advance Warning Before an Attack That May Affect the Civilian Population).41 Refer to § 5.14.4 (Using Distinctive and Visible Signs to Identify Protected Persons and Objects as Such).42 Refer to § 5.11.3 (Selecting Weapons (Weaponeering)).43 Refer to § 6.12.5.3 (Obligation to Take Feasible Precautions to Protect Civilians From the Effects of Mines,Booby-Traps, and Other Devices).44 Refer to § 6.14.3 (Restrictions on the Use of Incendiary Weapons).45 Refer to § 6.15.2 (Feasible Precautions in the Employment of Laser Systems to Avoid the Incident of PermanentBlindness).46 Refer to § 6.19.2 (Using Explosive Ordnance); § 6.19.3 (Abandoning Explosive Ordnance).191