Historically, many countries have remained enemies in an officially endless war due to diplomatic confusion. These wars can theoretically last for hundreds or even thousands of years, even if the two sides no longer fight each other on the battlefield.
Greece and Persia (449 BC-1902)
In 499 BC, the Persian Empire launched a war to conquer many Greek city-states. After 50 years of fierce fighting, the Persians decided to end their ambition to invade Greece in 449 BC.
As no peace document was signed after the war, Greece and Persia did not restore normal diplomatic relations for many centuries. It was not until 1902, after 2,393 years of hostility, that Persia, which had not yet changed its name to Iran, appointed its first diplomat in Greece to establish peaceful relations between the two nations.
Principality of Montenegro and Japanese Empire (1904-2006)
In 1904, the Principality of Montenegro declared war on the Japanese Empire to support Russia in the Russo-Japanese war. Due to the geographic remoteness, there was no direct confrontation on the battlefield between these two countries.
When Russia and the Journal of a peace treaty, the Principality of Montenegro was not mentioned in the document. After Montenegro’s secession from Serbia in 2006, Japanese officials traveled to the Balkan country both to recognize its independence and to send a letter declaring the official end of the war between the two countries.
Isle of Scilly and the Dutch Republic (1651-1986)
The Dutch Republic declared war on the British-controlled Isles of Scilly in 1651, as the islands were home to pirates who attacked Dutch convoys. However, the conflict between the Isles of Scilly and the Dutch Republic was quickly forgotten by the First Anglo-Dutch War.
Although the Netherlands and England declared the end of the conflict in 1654, the Isles of Scilly were not included in the peace negotiations. This diplomatic failure kept Scilly and the Netherlands in a state of war, until the Dutch Ambassador visited the Isles of Scilly in 1986, officially declaring peace between the two parties.
Village of Huescar and Denmark (1809-1981)
As Napoleon’s war raged across Europe, a small village of Huescar in Spain declared war on Denmark in 1809. At that time, Denmark was an ally of France, and this village eagerly awaited the war against Napoleon and his allies.
However, the declaration of war was quickly forgotten by the villagers themselves and was not discovered by chance until 1981. Later, the Danish ambassador visited Spain, confirming peace with the village. .
Lijar and France (1883-1983)
Like Huescar, Lijar is a village in Spain. They unilaterally declared war on France in 1883, after Spanish King Alfonso XII was smeared by a group of French people.
Despite the declaration of war, Lijar and France never clashed on the battlefield. In 1983, France sent a consul general from the city of Malaga, Spain, to Lijar to participate in the celebration of peace between the two parties.
