Military operations in urban areas

Armies have traditionally avoided cities and siege operations. Fighting for and in cities
is costly, slow, and often inconclusive. But sometimes they are unavoidable, either
because they are located on main road or rail junctions or because of their value as
political and/or economic prizes. Urban expansion in both north and south has made
cities today the main theatres of military and humanitarian operations.
Armies’ structures, equipment, and doctrines are undergoing a process of
adaptation. Manoeuvre has given way to fire power and protection for the troops as the
decisive elements of military power. While heavy fire power does considerable damage
and causes civilians to flee their homes, operations using protection techniques are only
suitable for stabilization. Moreover, their success depends essentially on the willingness
of troops to make sacrifices, and on support from the public.