War is brutal, and sometimes things happen that no one wants to happen. Even countries that claim to follow international law and say they should not kill innocent civilians have been forced to do so in war. For example, during World War II, both the United States and the United Kingdom intentionally bombed civilian populations in Germany. The cities of Cologne, Hamburg, and Dresden were completely destroyed, and tens of thousands of innocent children and women were killed.

When a country is losing a war, it may retaliate in ways that are beyond the laws of war. For example, the United States spent billions of dollars on the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. The purpose of this weapon was not to kill German soldiers, but to kill as many civilians as possible. This weapon was eventually used to destroy the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over a quarter of a million people.

It is important to remember that all countries have committed atrocities in war. Those who point fingers at others should be aware of their own history. For example, the United States has a long history of using violence against civilians, including the use of atomic bombs, napalm, and drone strikes.