What is the conflict in "The Sniper"?

When we think of conflict there are two kinds that we
refer to in the study of literature: internal and external. Internal conflict is
normally used to refer to some kind of internal struggle, for example a climber who
needs to physically and mentally urge himself on to reach the top of a mountain.
External conflict is referred to when the conflict is between a character and another
character.

Clearly, then, "The Sniper" shows us an example
of external conflict, as the story presents us with a grim fight to the death between to
snipers from rival sides of the Irish Civil War, that split the country apart, and also
many families, as some family members took opposing forces. Consider the following
paragraph:

The
sniper lay for a long time nursing his wounded arm and planning escape. Morning must not
find him wounded on the roof. The enemy on the opposite roof covered his escape. he must
kill that enemy and he could not use his rifle. He had only a revolver to do it. Then he
thought of a plan.

This then
presents us with the title character of this excellent short story working out how to
resolve the external conflict he faces and kill his opponent, thereby ensuring his
escape.