Urban operations ranging from internal strife through terrorism and armed conflict challenge all actors involved, but the greatest challenge is faced by the civilian populace – men, women, and children – who are exposed to violence, brutality, and all too often death. Addressing these challenges is likely to become increasingly common since the era of urban warfare , terrorism and insecurity has arrived. The humanitarian challenges As I described at the outset of this series on urban operations, the urban environment presents many unique operating challenges to military, police, fire service, medical, and humanitarian actors. The density and complexity of the setting demand awareness and specialized preparation (planning, training and exercising) in order to be effective in achieving their respective missions. Cities play a complex role in civil conflict. At times they are a place of refuge and economic hubs of war economies (which in turn adds the complexities of illicit and grey markets and organized crime into the mix), at others they become focal points in direct hostilities as combatants seek to gain control and strategic advantage. Civilians at risk are the main challenge in urban warfare and insecurity. This risk is compounded by potential damage and degradation to the interconnected urban infrastructure – lifelines such as water, power, sewage, transport, and supply lines for food and consumables such as fuel – necessary to urban life. Getty Images / AFP / Stringer Fellows Jun 2, 2018 | 20:53 GMT 9 mins read Protecting the Populace: Humanitarian Considerations in Urban Operations By Dr. John P. Sullivan Global Fellow Dr. John P. Sullivan Global Fellow