Wars are particularly described as conflicts which take place between nations or groups that highly involve the use of armed forces and violence. Wars are devastating actions which can have devastating impacts on societies and result in loss of life, destruction and as well as political changes. Wars can be caused by a variety of factors and involve multiple parties. These are often complex and not attributed to a single group or individual.
“(People) may experience displacement losses of lives, depression, loss of homes, factories, school, workplaces.,” said a political science teacher. She also mentioned that wars can also result in worsening the situation of the affected country. Marwa Asghar Ali, a hard-working and effective student, strongly advocates wars and stated, “Wars always result in health problems for the civilians as the wars are pull of destructions and distractions.” My mother who was a government teacher echoes my political science teacher’s words by strongly saying that wars highly result in high depression, which creates a fearful environment for the civilians. She always said, “Wars are incredibly awful activities that always have devastating consequences and long-lasting trauma.” “However, in the list of these consequences poverty, diseases and economic issues are the most terrifying ones which created bad situations for the civilians of the affected country,” said my elder sister who is a nursing student studying in Nursing College.
Additionally, in the past, all wars eventually brought suffering for the civilians as here are some of the wars that had significant and severe impacts on the civilians; World War Two, the Syrian Civil War, the Vietnam War, the Rawand Genocide War, Afghanistan War, Israel-Palestine war and many others. World War Two: World War Two started on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. The war lasted for six years on September 2, 1945, with the shameful surrender of Japan. The invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939 was a major trigger event that led to the outbreak of the war. It was highly terrifying which resulted in significant loss of life, displacement, and destruction. It was a tragic and complex situation that had impacted many lives within the country.
Wars have a profound impact on civilians, caught amid conflict. Innocent people including children, adults, and old often bear the brunt of violence displacement and loss.
Syrian Civil War: The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 and is still ongoing. It started as a result of various factors which include political unrest, social and economic grievances and the desire for political reform. This ongoing conviction has resulted in widespread displacement, destruction and loss of lives. It was a highly terrible and tragic conflict which has resulted in devastating consequences for many people who were involved.
Vietnam War: The Vietnam War began in 1955 and ended in 1975. It started as a result of the Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. The conflict arose from a desire to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. The war had significant political, economic and social ramifications for both Vietnam and the United States. It resulted in the loss of countless lives, the displacement of many people and the destruction of infrastructure. The consequences of the war had far-reaching impacts and it was a tragic situation with long-lasting effects.
Rwandan Genocide Wars: The Rwandan Genocide war occurred in 1994 and lasted approximately for about 100 days. It started as a result of long-standing ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi populations in Rwanda. The assassination of the Rwandan president sparked widespread violence and led to the systematic killing of around 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis as compared to Hutu. The reasons behind the genocide are complex and intertwined with historical, political and social factors. It led to the loss of many lives, displacement of people and damage to infrastructure. It was a tragic event with devastating consequences for the people. Afghanistan War: The Afghanistan war began in 2001 and is still ongoing. It started in response to the September 11 attacks on the United States. The U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan to remove the Taliban regime, which was harbouring Al-Qaeda. The war aimed to promote stability and democracy in Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan has been a devastating and tragic conflict with significant consequences. It has caused immense suffering for the people of Afghanistan and has had far-reaching effects on the region.
Israeli-Palestinian War: The recent Israeli-Palestinian War has a long and complicated history that dates back many decades. The roots of the war can be traced to the early 20th century, with various events and circumstances contributing to the ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. It originated from a complex mix of historical, political, and religious factors. It involves competing claims to the same land and disagreements over borders, settlement and the status of Jerusalem. It is indeed a complex and heartbreaking situation. It is causing immense suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians and it has a profound impact on the lives of people in the region. It is a devastating and heartbreaking conflict.
Ultimately, wars have a profound impact on civilians, caught amid conflict. Innocent people including children, adults, and old often bear the brunt of violence displacement and loss. They may face the risk of injury or death, lack of access to necessities like food, water and healthcare and the destruction of their homes and communities as now Israel and Palestine are the clean examples, Palestine needs access to basic facilities. The effects can be long-lasting and cause physical and emotional trauma that takes many years to heal. It is highly heartbreaking to see the suffering of civilians in war-torn areas.
Overall, stopping wars is a complex task that requires diplomatic efforts, dialogue, and understanding between conflicting parties. It often involves negotiations, peace agreements and international mediation. Additionally, addressing the root causes of conflicts, promoting tolerance and fostering economic development can contribute to long-lasting peace. It is a challenging process, but with collective efforts, peace can be achieved.
The writer is a freelance columnist.