Siege warfare, an ancient military tactic, is currently impacting millions of civilians. The article highlights the devastating consequences of sieges in regions like Syria, Sudan, and Gaza. Despite advancements in modern warfare, siege tactics remain a significant and destructive force. The piece emphasizes the varying levels of attention given to these sieges depending on the observer's perspective.
4 months ago
Despite advancements in modern military technology, such as drones and artificial intelligence, the ancient tactic of siege warfare continues to inflict devastating consequences on millions of civilians globally 1. This method, which involves encircling and isolating a city or area to compel surrender, is currently causing widespread suffering in conflicts across Syria, Sudan, and Gaza 1.
Syria: The Suwayda Governorate In Syria's southern Suwayda Governorate, an estimated 400,000 predominantly Druze civilians have been under siege since July 2025, facing clashes between pro-government forces, Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes, and Druze militias 1. Pro-government forces have largely blocked humanitarian assistance, leading to severe shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies, with bread prices soaring to 50 times higher than in other regions 1. Despite the blockade, the Druze have established an independent civil and security administration, receiving some military and humanitarian support from Israel 1.
Sudan: El Fasher In Sudan's Darfur region, hundreds of thousands of people in El Fasher, the former regional capital, have been besieged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since May 2024 1. The city, a key strategic prize, is experiencing food prices almost 500% higher than elsewhere in Sudan, contributing to the world's worst humanitarian crisis with 25 million people facing extreme hunger 1. Humanitarian aid trucks are stalled due to RSF's refusal to guarantee safe passage, and civilians attempting to flee report extortion, robbery, and rape by RSF fighters 1. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have resorted to using humanitarian NGO shipping containers as defensive barriers and recruiting women as soldiers 1.
Gaza: An Enduring Blockade Gaza represents the longest and most widely recognized contemporary siege, intensified following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel 1. While Israel has inflicted significant damage, leveling at least 70% of Gaza's buildings and eliminating much of Hamas's leadership, its core objectives of recovering hostages and disarming Hamas remain unfulfilled 1. The civilian population faces spiking hunger and desperation, though aid distribution is complicated by factors beyond Israeli control, including Hamas theft, black market activities, and UN delays, with 87% of aid trucks failing to reach their final destinations since May 2025 1.
These three sieges, while differing in local political contexts, share commonalities in their devastating human cost and the weaponization of narratives surrounding the suffering 1. Belligerents often engage in a "political blame game," downplaying or exaggerating the crisis depending on their agenda, despite the undeniable reality of acute hunger and deprivation 1. The article highlights that Christians on the ground are also impacted, with churches desecrated and clergy killed in these conflicts 1. Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for solidarity with all human suffering, urging an avoidance of demonization and a hardening of hearts in the face of this cruel form of warfare 1.
What is the Church's teaching on siege warfare?
The Catholic Church's teaching on warfare, including aspects relevant to siege warfare, is primarily guided by the Just War tradition, which emphasizes moral principles for the legitimate use of force. While the Church does not explicitly detail "siege warfare" as a distinct category, its teachings on proportionality, discrimination, and the protection of non-combatants directly apply to such military actions.
Historical Context and Evolution of "War" Historically, the term "bellum" (war) for Scholastic thinkers encompassed a broader range of acts than the modern understanding of "war," including limited acts of self-defense and forcible humanitarian interventions . In this older sense, a single conflict could involve a "just war" waged by one side and an "unjust war" by the other, or even two unjust wars if neither party had a just cause . The contemporary Magisterium, however, often uses "war" in the modern sense, referring to the state or condition of mutual conflict, which it frequently condemns as sinful and an affront to reason .
Prohibition of Indiscriminate Attacks and Targeting Civilians A core principle in Catholic teaching is the strict prohibition against deliberately killing those not engaged in unjust aggression . This directly impacts siege warfare, as it often involves prolonged encirclement and bombardment of populated areas. The Church unequivocally condemns:
Pope Francis has recently emphasized that modern wars often indiscriminately strike civilian populations, noting that the distinction between military and civilian targets is frequently not respected . He stressed that civilian victims are not "collateral damage" but individuals who lose their lives, and grave violations of international humanitarian law are war crimes that must be prevented .
Proportionality and Self-Defense The Church recognizes the right of nations to use force for legitimate self-defense , . However, even in exercising this right, it is essential to adhere to a proportionate use of force . This means that the harm inflicted must be proportionate to the good achieved, and excessive force is not permissible. The American bishops, for instance, have stated that they cannot perceive any situation in which the deliberate initiation of nuclear warfare, however restricted, can be morally justified .
Duty to Protect the Innocent The right to use force for legitimate defense is linked to the duty to protect and help innocent victims who cannot defend themselves from aggression . In modern conflicts, where civilian populations are often targeted, international humanitarian law must be fully respected . Humanitarian aid must reach civilians and never be used to influence those receiving it, as the good of the human person takes precedence over the interests of the conflicting parties .
Condemnation of "Aggression" and "Violence" While the term "offensive war" as understood by Scholastics (e.g., to rectify a past wrong) is complex in contemporary teaching, the popes have consistently condemned "aggressive war" . "Aggression" in the modern context signifies an illicit resort to force driven by depraved intentions, such as war for gain, dominance, or national aspirations . Similarly, the Magisterium condemns "violence" when it signifies an illicit application of force, emphasizing that "violence is never a proper response" and is "unworthy of man" . This condemnation encompasses actions like private vengeance or disproportionate use of force without legitimate authority .
In summary, while the Church's teaching does not specifically outline rules for "siege warfare," its principles of proportionality, discrimination, and the absolute prohibition against targeting non-combatants or using indiscriminate force are directly applicable. Any military action, including a siege, must strictly adhere to these moral guidelines, prioritizing the protection of innocent lives and respecting international humanitarian law.