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Certainly! A drawn-out military attack is commonly referred to as a “siege”. A siege is a tactic employed in warfare where an attacking force surrounds a fortified location, such as a city, castle, or stronghold, with the intention of cutting off all supplies, communication, and reinforcements to force the defenders to surrender.

In a siege, the attacking force, also known as the besiegers, establish a blockade around the target. This can be done by surrounding the area with soldiers, creating barriers such as trenches or walls, or even cutting off access to resources like food and water. The primary objective is to isolate the defenders and weaken their morale, resources, and defenses over an extended period.

The length of a siege can vary significantly, ranging from a few weeks to several months or even years, depending on factors like the strength of the defenders, the resources available to both sides, and the tactics employed. During a siege, both sides engage in various strategies to gain an advantage.

The besiegers may use weaponry like catapults, trebuchets, or cannons to launch projectiles at the fortifications, aiming to breach the walls or destroy defensive structures. They may also employ mining techniques to undermine the fortifications or use siege towers or ladders to gain entry. The besiegers may even attempt to negotiate a surrender or use psychological warfare to demoralize the defenders.

On the other hand, the defenders utilize their resources strategically to try and repel the attackers. They strengthen their walls, towers, and gates, and may resort to counter-battery fire or deploy other defensive measures such as boiling oil, arrow slits, or boiling water to discourage or injure the besieging force.

During a siege, both sides must also contend with the challenges of maintaining their forces. Supplies like food, water, and ammunition can become scarce, leading to hunger, disease, and fatigue. The defenders may have to ration their resources while the besiegers maintain supply lines or construct temporary facilities to sustain their forces.

Sieges have played significant roles in military history for centuries, and they have shaped the outcome of countless battles and conflicts. Some famous sieges include the Siege of Troy during ancient times, the Siege of Jerusalem during the Crusades, and the Siege of Leningrad during World War II.

In summary, a siege is a prolonged military attack where an attacking force surrounds and isolates a fortified location to weaken and compel the defenders to surrender. Both sides employ various tactics and strategies throughout the siege with the objective of gaining an advantage and securing victory.