irregular warfare
Asymmetric military tactics
Irregular warfare is military conflict that avoids conventional force-on-force battles, instead employing guerrilla tactics, insurgency, terrorism, sabotage, and subversion.
The weaker side typically adopts irregular methods against a stronger opponent: The occupation forces struggled to counter irregular warfare in the mountains.
The term covers both offense and defense—insurgents wage it, and counterinsurgency responds to it.
Armed uprising against authority
- subversionUndermining established authority
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- propagandaBiased information for influence
covert · infiltration · destabilization · cyberattack · terrorism · proxy · unconventional · non-state
Restoring calm after conflict
- hearts and mindsEmotional and intellectual commitment
- stabilizationProcess of becoming steady
- COINAnti-rebel warfare doctrine
- nation-buildingConstructing governmental institutions
civil affairs · security forces · population control · reconstruction · intelligence gathering · community policing · governance · development aid
Surprise strike from concealment
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
booby trap · sniper · night raid · tunnel networks · camouflage · deception · dispersal · quick strike
Surprise strike from concealment
- partisansStaunch factional supporters
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- raidsSudden armed attacks
- hit-and-runLeaving after causing collision
cell · rebel · insurgents · militia · skirmish · underground · clandestine · Mao
insurgency
Armed uprising against authority
- subversionUndermining established authority
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
propaganda · covert · infiltration · destabilization · cyberattack · terrorism · proxy · unconventional · non-state · fifth column
pacification
Restoring calm after conflict
- hearts and mindsEmotional and intellectual commitment
- stabilizationProcess of becoming steady
- COINAnti-rebel warfare doctrine
nation-building · civil affairs · security forces · population control · reconstruction · intelligence gathering · community policing · governance · development aid · legitimacy
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
IED · booby trap · sniper · night raid · tunnel networks · camouflage · deception · dispersal · quick strike · exfiltration
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- partisansStaunch factional supporters
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- raidsSudden armed attacks
hit-and-run · cell · rebel · insurgents · militia · skirmish · underground · clandestine · Mao · Che Guevara
irregular warfareconventional warfare
Armed conflict using standard military forces
conventional war · traditional warfare · pitched battle · trench warfare · tank warfare
irregular warfarepitched battle
Intense preplanned military confrontation
frontal assault · decisive battle · attrition warfare · total war
regular, warfare, irregular, irregularity, irregularly, irregulars, guerrilla warfare, asymmetric warfare