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Urban Warfare

Urban warfare can take many forms, from guerrilla attacks to militia patrols to gang violence, but fighting in cities and towns — where civilians are at risk and combatants can hide more easily — is markedly different from combat in a more open or defined theater of operations. Determining how to assess enemies, mount a defense, and protect civilians is a focus of urban warfare research at RAND.

Research conducted by: RAND Arroyo Center; RAND National Security Research Division; RAND Project AIR FORCE

Research Briefs (2)

Urban Warfare: The 2008 Battle for Sadr City — Apr 9, 2012

The authors identify factors critical to the coalition victory over Jaish al-Mahdi in the 2008 Battle of Sadr City and describe a new model for dealing with insurgent control of urban areas.