Attrition Warfare and Civilian Security in the 21st Century: Humanitarian Consequences of Prolonged Armed Conflicts

Abstract: Contemporary armed conflicts increasingly take the form of prolonged wars of attrition, in which military strategies focus on gradually exhausting the adversary rather than achieving rapid battlefield victories. This study examines how prolonged armed conflicts influence civilian security and societal resilience. The study employs a qualitative comparative approach and analyzes three contemporary conflict environments: Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza. The research explores four key dimensions of humanitarian impact: civilian exposure to explosive violence, forced displacement, disruption of infrastructure and food systems, and long-term psychological and social consequences. The findings indicate that attrition warfare produces cumulative humanitarian consequences that extend beyond immediate battlefield violence. Sustained military pressure gradually erodes economic, institutional, and social foundations of civilian life. Understanding the civilian consequences of attrition warfare is essential for improving international approaches to civilian protection and humanitarian governance.