By all accounts, the conflict has lasted longer than both sides thought it would.

The biggest conflict in history had lasted almost six years.

Neither side was strong enough to force a victory, and the conflict lasted until 1381.

No one expected that the conflict would last ten years.

All imagined that the conflict would last no more than a few months.

The subsequent conflict lasted until 2003 and killed more than two million people.

But, he warned, "It should be clear to everyone that the conflict will last a long time."

Though the conflict lasted for nine hours, casualties were light.

The conflict lasted for eight years, a month and three days (measured from 1937 to 1945).

Associates say the conflict lasted no more than 24 to 36 hours.