Im sorry but Skirmishes are WAR.
We can just call the revolutionary war, Skirmishes too, thats all it was really, a bunch of guerrilla war fare going on in random areas, same with Vietnam.
War–noun
1. a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation; warfare, as by land, sea, or air.
2. a state or period of armed hostility or active military operations: The two nations were at war with each other.
3. a contest carried on by force of arms, as in a series of battles or campaigns: the War of 1812.
4. active hostility or contention; conflict; contest: a war of words.
5. aggressive business conflict, as through severe price cutting in the same industry or any other means of undermining competitors: a fare war among airlines; a trade war between nations.
Is it not a State or period of military operations between two nations or parties?