military units have an inherent right to defend themselves.

That is the point of the mockery. There is no such as an inherently right to defend yourself except in the legal fiction that is international/military law.

That would be like me claiming I have the inherent right to defend myself.....even when I've just kicked down my neighbor's door while wielding a rifle.

Law that disregards context, motive, or logic is just a constructed fiction to justify intent.