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15.2.4 Neutrality Under Regional and Collective Self-Defense Arrangements. Regionaland collective self-defense agreements may affect States’ rights to maintain a neutral statusbecause the States may be required to provide assistance or take military action in collective selfdefenseuntil the U.N. Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain internationalpeace and security. 51 The obligations by a State under such an agreement may prevail over theState’s right under the customary law of neutrality to be impartial among the belligerents and toabstain from the armed conflict.15.3 OVERVIEW OF THE NEUTRALITY LAW’S FRAMEWORK OF RECIPROCAL RIGHTS AND DUTIESThe law of neutrality establishes a framework of reciprocal rights and duties for neutralsand belligerents.15.3.1 Neutral Rights. Belligerent States are bound to respect the sovereign rights ofneutral States (e.g., the inviolability of a neutral State’s territory). 52 The exercise by a neutralState of its rights under the law of neutrality may not be considered an unfriendly act by either ofthe belligerents. 5315.3.1.1 Inviolability of Neutral Territory - Prohibition on Unauthorized Entry.The territory of neutral States is inviolable. 54 The inviolability of neutral territory prohibits anyunauthorized entry into the territory of a neutral State, its territorial waters, or the airspace oversuch areas by armed forces or instrumentalities of war. 5515.3.1.2 Inviolability of Neutral Territory - Prohibition on Hostile Acts or OtherViolations of Neutrality. The inviolability of neutral territory also requires belligerent forces torefrain from committing hostile acts or other acts that, if knowingly permitted by a neutral State,would constitute a violation of neutrality in neutral territory (including neutral lands, neutral51 Refer to § 1.11.5.5 (Right of Collective Self-Defense).52 HAGUE XIII art. 1 (“Belligerents are bound to respect the sovereign rights of neutral Powers and to abstain, inneutral territory or neutral waters, from any act which would, if knowingly permitted by any Power, constitute aviolation of neutrality.”); 1956 FM 27-10 (Change No. 1 1976) 512 (“It is the duty of belligerents to respect theterritory and rights of neutral States.”).53 HAGUE XIII art. 26 (“The exercise by a neutral Power of the rights laid down in the present convention can underno circumstances be considered as an unfriendly act by one or other belligerent who has accepted the Articlesrelating thereto.”).54 HAGUE V art. 1 (“The territory of neutral Powers is inviolable.”).55 1956 FM 27-10 (Change No. 1 1976) 515 (“b. Application of Rule. The foregoing rule prohibits anyunauthorized entry into the territory of a neutral State, its territorial waters, or the airspace over such areas by troopsor instrumentalities of war.”).939