A long-lasting fight is often referred to as a SIEGE. A SIEGE is a prolonged military assault and blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. Historically, sieges were used in many parts of the world, from ancient times to the modern era. During a SIEGE, the attacking forces would surround the city or fortress and attempt to starve out the defenders or bombard them into submission. The defenders would often try to break the SIEGE by launching sorties or counterattacks against the attackers. In some cases, sieges could last for months or even years before either side was able to gain an advantage.