text: Non-Hostile Relations Between Belligerents
  Local or Partial
  7-73. A local or partial armistice suspends military operations between certain portions of opposing forces
  and within a specified area (HR art. 37). It may suspend combat operations indefinitely or for a specified
  period of time, ranging from hours to days. The primary distinction between a local or partial armistice and
  a suspension of arms, discussed in paragraph 7-77, is the size of the units or area affected, and the broader
  interests than the local military requirements that are addressed in a suspension of arms.
  7-74. A partial armistice suspends operations between specified forces or within specified zones. It may
  apply only to operations of ground forces, for example, or naval operations in an area specified by longitude
  and latitude, or air operations above a specified parallel.
  7-75. A unilateral suspension of operations is not a partial armistice. A unilateral but conditional suspension
  of operations may be a partial armistice if there is tacit agreement by the opposing force. A partial armistice
  requires express agreement between the opposing forces or governments.
  7-76. A partial armistice may be a cessation of operations between two belligerents. A partial armistice
  always includes a large number of the forces involved in an armed conflict and a considerable portion of the
  conflict region. It is not an agreement merely to address some matter of local interest, as would be the case
  with a suspension of arms, but one of a more general character.
  Suspension of Arms
  7-77. A suspension of arms, also referred to as a suspension of fire, is a form of local armistice
  concluded between commanders of military forces for some local military purpose, such as to recover
  and bury the dead, to collect and care for the wounded and sick, to arrange for exchange of prisoners,
  or to enable a commander to communicate with his or her government or superior officer. A suspension
  of arms is not intended to have, and does not have, any legal or other effect on the war generally, or its
  political bases. It is intended to serve military interests of local importance only. An opposing commander
  with the competence to do so can agree upon a suspension of arms.
  AUTHORITY TO CONCLUDE AN ARMISTICE
  7-78. The degree to which opposing forces seek to suspend hostilities will determine what authorities are
  needed to conclude the armistice agreement. An armistice agreement must be concluded by authorities who
  are competent to agree to it and to enforce its terms. An armistice that includes more substantive and
  expansive terms must be approved by more senior authorities. For example, a commander would not have
  the authority to conclude an armistice agreement that binds units or areas that are not under his or her
  command. Similarly, if an armistice contains political terms, it must be made under authorization from the
  governments concerned or subject to approval by them (see DOD Law of War Manual, 12.11.2). In U.S.
  practice, any proposed final armistice would be coordinated with higher civilian authority.
  7-79. Commanders are presumed to have the authority to conclude a suspension of arms for forces or areas
  within their control. Regardless of the type of armistice entered into, commanders may not bind units or areas
  not under their command. Commanders negotiating an armistice agreement have the responsibility in the
  course of negotiations to inform the opposing force commander of any units or areas within the scope of the
  armistice over which they lack command authority. The opposing force commander has the right to accept
  or reject this as a condition for agreement.
  7-80. An armistice agreement is not a proper mechanism for resolution of political issues, such as territorial
  claims or permanent rights to be conferred on the local population. Higher authority may renounce terms of
  agreement related to political issues that exceed the commander’s authority. Renunciation of a non-military
  provision, however, does not constitute authority to revoke the remaining terms of the armistice
  FORM OF ARMISTICE
  7-81. No special form for an armistice is prescribed. It should, if possible, be reduced to writing to avoid
  misunderstandings and for reference should differences of interpretation arise. It should be drafted with the
  greatest precision and clarity.