Harsh conflict recalled (3)
I believe the answer is:
raw
'harsh' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'conflict recalled' is the wordplay.
'conflict' becomes 'war' (war is a kind of conflict).
'recalled' is a reversal indicator.
'war' back-to-front is 'RAW'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for raw that I've seen before include "Red and inflamed" , "Bleeding" , "Uncooked or crude" , "Natural" , "Not processed" .)