War, Armed Violence Takes Alarming Toll on Civilians

From Voice of America:

A new survey by the International Committee of the Red Cross shows war and armed violence take an alarming toll on civilians in conflict-affected countries around the world. More than 4,000 people were surveyed in eight countries - Afghanistan, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia and the Philippines. The study is being released to mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Solferino on June 24, 1859.

Nearly 40,000 soldiers were killed or wounded in the Battle of Solferino. But, only one civilian was killed. Today's conflicts are very different.

To begin with, there is no such thing as a one-day battle. The majority of modern day conflicts is long-lasting and go on for two, three or four decades. Furthermore, it is civilians that suffer the brunt of deaths and injuries.

Read more ....

My Comment: The articles impression that war against civilians is a "recent" phenomena .... as well as most wars lasting for decades before any resolution .... is completely wrong. A number of wars throughout history lasted for decades if not longer. From the 100 years war in Europe, to even the American revolutionary war, these conflicts took many years before they were resolved. As to civilian casualties .... well .... if a nation's army failed in their duty, the first victims were always the civilians. From the sacking and complete destruction of Troy, Carthage, and Jerusalem in ancient times, to the mass extermination of peoples in Afghanistan by the Mongols, to the religious wars in Europe .... mass genocide and extermination of peoples have always occurred throughout recorded history.