free fire zone
Shoot-at-will territory
A free fire zone is a military designation for an area where soldiers may shoot at anyone or anything without requiring prior authorization.
The term originated in the Vietnam War, where such zones were declared in regions presumed to contain only enemy combatants—a policy that led to significant civilian casualties.
Figuratively, it describes any situation where normal restraints are suspended: The comment section became a free fire zone.
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- VietnamSoutheast Asian coastal nation
- search and destroyTactical elimination mission
- napalmFlammable gel for bombs
carpet bombing · airstrike · air support · artillery · engagement · hostile · battlefield · ground troops · soldiers · crossfire · gunfire · no-mans-land · bombing · cleared · target · warfare · jungle · civilians
- Vietnam WarVietnam War, Vietnam, Tet Offensive, My Lai Massacre, Viet Cong
free fire zoneprotected zone
Designated safe territory
safe zone · sanctuary · protected area · demilitarized zone · DMZ
free fire zonesafe haven
Protected place of shelter
refuge · sanctuary · security zone · buffer zone · rear area
free, fire, zone, freely, freedom, freed, freeing, freer, freest