Collocations War and peace

Starting a war

declare/make/wage war (on somebody/something)

go to war (against/with somebody)

cause/spark/provoke/foment/quell unrest

incite/lead/crush/suppress a revolt/rebellion

launch/mount/carry out a surprise/terrorist attack

prevent/halt/represent an escalation of the conflict

be torn apart by/be on the brink of civil war

enter/invade/occupy somebody’s territory

lead/launch/resist/repel an invasion

Military operations

adopt/develop/implement/pursue a military strategy

carry out/execute/perform military operations/manoeuvres

send/deploy/station/pull back/withdraw troops

go on/fly/carry out a reconnaissance/rescue mission

train/equip/deploy army/military/combat units

lead/launch/conduct a raid/a surprise attack/an (air/airborne/amphibious) assault (on somebody)

employ/use guerrilla tactics

conduct/wage biological/guerrilla warfare

fight/crush/defeat the rebels/the insurgency

suffer/inflict a crushing defeat

achieve/win a decisive victory

halt/stop the British/German/Russian advance

order/force a retreat

Fighting

join/serve in the army/navy/air force

be/go/remain/serve on active duty

serve/complete/return from a tour of duty

be sent to the front (line)

attack/strike/engage/defeat/kill/destroy the enemy

see/report/be engaged in heavy fighting

call for/be met with armed resistance

come under heavy/machine-gun/mortar fire

fire a machine-gun/mortar shells/rockets (at somebody/something)

shoot a rifle/a pistol/bullets/missiles

launch/fire a cruise/ballistic/anti-tank missile

use biological/chemical/nuclear weapons

inflict/suffer/sustain heavy losses/casualties

be hit/killed by enemy/friendly/artillery fire

become/be held as a prisoner of war

Civilians in war

harm/kill/target/protect innocent/unarmed civilians

cause/avoid/limit/minimize civilian casualties/collateral damage

impose/enforce/lift a curfew

engage in/be a victim of ethnic cleansing

be sent to an internment/a concentration camp

accept/house/resettle refugees fleeing from war

fear/threaten military/violent reprisals

commit/be accused of war crimes/crimes against humanity/genocide

Making peace

make/bring/win/achieve/maintain/promote peace

call for/negotiate/broker/declare a ceasefire/a temporary truce

sign a ceasefire agreement

call for/bring/put an end to hostilities

demand/negotiate/accept the surrender of somebody/something

establish/send (in) a peacekeeping force

negotiate/conclude/ratify/sign/accept/reject/break/violate a peace treaty