11.3 END OF OCCUPATION AND DURATION OF GC OBLIGATIONS
The status of belligerent occupation ends when the conditions for its application are no
longer met. Certain GC obligations with respect to occupied territory continue for the duration
of the occupation after the general close of military operations.
End of Occupation. Belligerent occupation ceases when the conditions for its11.3.1
application are no longer met.81 In particular, as discussed below, the status of belligerent
occupation ceases when the invader no longer factually governs the occupied territory or when a
hostile relationship no longer exists between the State of the occupied territory and the
Occupying Power.82
Belligerent occupation ends when the Occupying Power no longer has effectively placed
the occupied territory under its control.83 For example, an uprising by the local population may
prevent the Occupying Power from actually enforcing its authority over occupied territory.
Similarly, the Occupying Power’s expulsion or complete withdrawal from the territory would
also suffice because the former Occupying Power generally would not be able to control
sufficiently the occupied territory.
dod law of war manual