International Regulation of Private Military and Security Companies

... forces of a party to the conflict [ 5 ]. If a state failed to notify of including militarized and police groups into its armed forces, they shall not be considered combatants. This requirement may apply to PMSC personnel taking part in an armed conflict. International law also recognizes as combatants persons “who, on the approach of the enemy, spontaneously take up arms to resist the invading troops without having had time to organize themselves … if they respect the laws and customs of war” [ 6 ]. However, this does not apply to PMSC personnel since they take part in an armed conflict on a contractual basis. Members of resistance movements also enjoy combatant status. The International Committee of the Red Cross ...