militia leader

Armed group head

A militia leader is a person who commands or organizes a militia—an armed force composed of civilians rather than professional soldiers.

Such leaders may head groups ranging from legally sanctioned state defense forces to irregular paramilitary organizations operating outside official military structures.

The term often appears in news coverage of armed conflicts, insurgencies, and civil wars: The militia leader negotiated a ceasefire with government forces.

Depending on context, the designation can carry neutral, heroic, or sinister connotations.

Related

zealot · volunteer corps · irregulars · platoon · separatist · chief · insurgency · paramilitary · armed resistance · underground movement · strategist · squadron · regiment · battalion · brigade · organizer · loyalist · defender

Categories
Opposites
military legitimacy/authority

militia leadergeneral

Widespread, not specialized

army general · four-star general · field marshal · commissioned officer · admiral

role in conflict

militia leaderpeace negotiator

Facilitator of conflict resolution

peacekeeper · pacifist · peace activist · Mahatma Gandhi · civilian

power structure

militia leaderelected official

Voter-chosen public servant

constitutional authority · prime minister · governor

Family

militia, leader, militias, leaders, lead, leading, leadership, militant, militancy

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13