A distinction used to exist in the traditional view of humanitarian law of armed conflict between international and non Ð international armed conflict. The previously mentioned observation is supported by the fact that the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Convention of 1949 dealt separately with international conflict and non Ð international conflict. Additional Protocol I dealt with international conflict, but Additional Protocol II dealt with non Ð international conflicts. However, as a result of the evolution in international human rights law, practical lessons that have been learnt from both international and non Ð international conflicts and opinio juris as well as the opinions of international organisations, the distinction between international and non Ð international conflicts is now much blurred. This essay presents a discussion about the distinction between international and non Ð international conflict in contemporary international humanitarian law.