shooting war

noun

1. open conflict between hostile nations involving direct military engagements.

Example Sentences

The last thing he wants to do right now is to commit US combat troops and air power to a notional unstable ceasefire line which has the potential to erupt into a shooting war that drags in Nato forces.

From BBC

When I left London almost two weeks ago after the rebel coalition captured Aleppo - a stunning victory dwarfed by what followed - I thought I would be reporting a shooting war.

From BBC

Presidential elections rarely hinge on questions of foreign policy, except when the United States is in a shooting war.

From Los Angeles Times

The key question here is whether this all drags in the US, leading to a full-scale shooting war between Iran and US forces in the region.

From BBC

Iran promises major retaliation, but neither Israel nor Iran wants a major shooting war, given the stakes for both countries.

From New York Times