bombardering

Bombardment, or bombardering in Norwegian contexts, is the sustained attack on a target or area with explosive projectiles delivered by artillery, aircraft, ships, missiles, or other weapons. It covers artillery bombardments, air strikes, naval gunfire, and missile or rocket barrages aimed at military objectives, infrastructure, or other strategic targets.

Historically, bombardment has been central to siege warfare, with progress from ancient catapults to modern artillery. The 20th century saw widespread strategic bombing in World Wars I and II, and contemporary conflicts employ a mix of air, sea, and land bombardment, often using precision-guided weapons to strike specific military objectives while trying to limit collateral damage.

International humanitarian law regulates bombardment. Core principles include distinction (target military objectives only), proportionality (avoiding excessive civilian harm relative to the military objective), and precautions in attack. These rules restrict or prohibit bombardment practices that would affect civilians or civilian objects, especially in undefended areas, and regulate the use of certain weapons and methods.

Effects of bombardment include immediate destruction, casualties, and the disruption of essential services and infrastructure, as well as longer-term humanitarian consequences such as displacement and environmental damage. In modern warfare, there is a framework in which military planners seek to achieve strategic goals while minimizing civilian harm, though civilian casualties and collateral damage remain central ethical and political concerns.