What document dictates the necessity of conducting Collateral Damage Estimation (CDE)?

The necessity for conducting Collateral Damage Estimation (CDE) is primarily dictated by the Rules of Engagement (ROE). The ROE provide the legal and policy framework that governs the use of force during military operations, including considerations for minimizing collateral damage to civilian life and property. The ROE stipulate that military forces must take necessary precautions to avoid causing excessive harm to non-combatants and to ensure that the intended military objective justifies any potential collateral damage. This requirement underscores the ethical and operational imperative for commanders to assess and mitigate potential harm to civilians as part of their military planning and decision-making processes.

While documents like Joint Operation Plans and International Law may inform broader operational strategies and legal obligations, it is the ROE that directly mandates the conduct of CDE as a crucial step in the planning and execution of military operations.