INFLUENCE OF MIDDLE EAST ARMED CONFLICTS INTO BATTLEFIELD CHANGES

Abstract

Wars conducted in the Middle East after the WWII significantly affected the course of military strategy, and combat tactics, and military technology. Presented paper describes circumstances of local wars and military conflicts in the Middle East and their influence on development of warfare art and technology. The wars with Israel which were lost by the Arabic countries in 20th century affected development of military strategy and tactics of using the armoured weapons and air forces. They contributed significantly to development of the intelligence, and antiaircraft combat assets, and antitank weapons. In consecutive wars the Arabic countries were not able to coordinate military operations, what gave possibility for the Israel army to successively defeat armies of particular countries. Military conflicts between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, and suffered losses, caused the development of new revolutionary combat assets such as combat vehicles active self-defence systems (Trophy), or antimissile/antiaircraft systems (Irone Dome). Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones, and precise weapons were widely used. Reconnaissance and military intelligence affected significantly the results of military operations. Palestinian and Lebanese organisations counterweighed the advantages of Israelian army by systems of fortifications, tunnels, and hidden fire positions. Israelian army implemented combat vehicles in urban area fights. They proved to be efficient what denied opinions about uselessness of armoured weapons at urban fights, or even the tanks in the 21st century. The war in Syria indicated the efficient use of combined combat tactics, conventional military operations, and guerrilla and terrorist methods and actions.The high morale represented by Hezbollah and ISIS fighters proved to be an essential component of military operations. Risking own life at fighting the enemies made great impression on them, and disorganised the defence, and provided dazzling successes in the battlefield. Aviation played important role in all operations fighting the forces of Arabic countries, Hamas, Hezbollah, or Islamic State (IS).