What is the definition of fratricide in military tactics?

Fratricide in military tactics refers to the unintended death or injury of friendly forces caused by one's own troops, often during operations against an enemy. The definition aligns most closely with the concept of intent to engage the enemy while inadvertently causing harm to allied personnel. This highlights the tragic reality that in the chaos of battle, actions intended to strike at an enemy can mistakenly lead to friendly fire incidents.

While intentional targeting of friendly forces is explicitly framed as an act of aggression and is not considered fratricide, accidental incidents also differ from the defined intent of targeting. The definition encompasses scenarios where there may be a clear objective against an enemy, yet the resulting actions inadvertently affect comrades. This concept underscores the complexities of battlefield scenarios where situational awareness and communication are critical to prevent fratricide.