It wasn't really a "war", more about Phil being fed up with the DiMeo administration and wanting to decapiatate it and put people incharge who would listen to him. Most mob wars are inner family: The 90s Colombo war, Merlino/Stanfa war, Scarfo/Riccobene, etc.
Something like this almost took place in 2000. The Genovese wanted to start a bookmaking operation in South Philadelphia and conspired with the Philly North NJ Capo, Pete "The Crumb" Caprio to kill Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi (Boss), Steven "Handsome Stevie" Mazzone (Underboss), and George "Freckles" Borgesi (Consigliere)...which the the Philadelphia family's administration.
Members of the Genovese and Gambino Families plotted with Caprio to take out the Philadelphia administration. Just the latest in a long history of New York's two dominant Families wanting to expand and exert influence over Philadelphia. As is well known, Gigante and other Genovese leaders gave the OK to kill Angelo Bruno, as well as six other Philadelphia gangland murders following that in order to expand their operations into Atlantic City.
Later on, the Genovese decided to recognize Ligambi as official boss of Philadelphia and he is now supported by them. The Genovese actually did open a bookmaking operation right in the heart of South Philadelphia. It was run jointly by Lawrence "Little Larry" Dentico and Ludwig "Ninny" Bruschi's crews.
