Is it Patton that said "War is Hell"?
I don't recall a ceasefire.
There is no effort being made to single out or to spare "innocents" (aka people to attack from behind). Those who see fit not to fight are fully capable of escaping to anywhere the mechs aren't. It's not a country wide skirmish line, it's part of your city. Either way, as reports of death arrive, the "innocents" will flee.