Crossword Genius

Alert to a battle to the east (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aware

'alert' is the definition.
('aware' can be a synonym of 'alert')

'a battle to the east' is the wordplay.
'battle' becomes 'war' (I've seen this before).
'to the east' becomes 'e' ('E' can be a synonym of 'east').
'a'+'war'+'e'='AWARE'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for aware that I've seen before include "Cognisant, mindful" , "Conscious, sentient" , "Having knowledge or realisation" , "Acquainted with or conscious of" , "Bearing in mind" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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