Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Paramilitary
open-in-new
<h2 id="overview">Overview</h2> <p>Though a paramilitary is, by definition, not a <a href="/facts/Military/kgNmLUnN">military</a>, it is usually equivalent to a <a href="/facts/Light_infantry/ASsKuFrH">light infantry</a> or <a href="/facts/Special_forces/KzAwTazD">special forces</a> in terms of strength, firepower, and organizational structure.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> Paramilitaries use combat-capable kit/equipment (such as <a href="/facts/Internal_security_vehicle/JUl0Wdk1">internal security</a>/<a href="/facts/SWAT_vehicle/Np3eGWK9">SWAT vehicles</a>), or even actual military equipment<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> (such as <a href="/facts/Long_gun/MQwcenpv">long guns</a> and <a href="/facts/Armoured_personnel_carrier/I5yvRywl">armored personnel carriers</a>; usually <a href="/facts/Military_surplus/6caHX3uX">military surplus</a> resources), skills (such as <a href="/facts/Battlefield_medicine/Js4cYwBQ">battlefield medicine</a> and <a href="/facts/Bomb_disposal/FQJI2y4b">bomb disposal</a>), and tactics (such as <a href="/facts/Urban_warfare/40JjmBT8">urban warfare</a> and <a href="/facts/Close-quarters_combat/GpwvEdhL">close-quarters combat</a>) that are compatible with their purpose, often combining them with skills from other relevant fields such as <a href="/facts/Law_enforcement/eneRFUdL">law enforcement</a>, <a href="/facts/Coast_guard/3qHWQ8RJ">coast guard</a>, or <a href="/facts/Search_and_rescue/pdLTUPgl">search and rescue</a>. A paramilitary may fall under the command of a <a href="/facts/Military/kgNmLUnN">military</a>, train alongside them, or have permission to use their resources, despite not actually being part of them.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="legality">Legality</h2> <p>Under the <a href="/facts/Law_of_war/utYdPbBD">law of war</a>, a state may incorporate a paramilitary organization or armed agency (such as a <a href="/facts/Law_enforcement_agency/LBQN5bl8">law enforcement agency</a> or a private volunteer <a href="/facts/Militia/c7CHBd54">militia</a>) into its <a href="/facts/Combatant/owQ3fXXe">combatant</a> armed forces. Some countries' constitutions <a href="/facts/List_of_countries_that_prohibit_paramilitary_organizations_outside_government_armed_forces/c7uFtEXs">prohibit paramilitary organizations outside government use</a>. </p> <h2 id="types">Types</h2> <p>Depending on the definition adopted, "paramilitaries" may include: </p> <h3>Military organizations</h3> <ul><li>The <a href="/facts/Auxiliaries/e3JJdtUY">auxiliary forces</a> of a state's military or government, <a href="/facts/Military_reserve_forces/9Tp233t2">military reserve forces</a>, such as <a href="/facts/National_guard/vuNwYKkm">national guard</a>, <a href="/facts/Presidential_Guard_(disambiguation)/QXvDAs1C">presidential guard</a>, <a href="/facts/Republican_guard/mK87Bt22">republican guard</a>, <a href="/facts/State_defense_force/STLGCsqL">state defense force</a>, <a href="/facts/Home_guard/abx0pLF5">home guard</a>, <a href="/facts/Civil_guard/UeclRdSw">civil guard</a>, <a href="/facts/Imperial_guard/J3Y44cwp">imperial guard</a>, and <a href="/facts/Royal_guard/XJoXrWKG">royal guard</a> forces</li> <li><a href="/facts/Private_military_contractors/4l2Mrt8r">Private military contractors</a> and <a href="/facts/Mercenaries/uQSfwcDR">mercenaries</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Irregular_military/8goYhQkn">Irregular military</a> forces, such as <a href="/facts/Militias/HcjWh1II">militias</a>, <a href="/facts/Partisan_(military)/Nxwjb1VS">partisans</a>, <a href="/facts/Resistance_movements/peRRrz7y">resistance movements</a>, <a href="/facts/Freedom_fighter/peRRrz7y">freedom fighters</a>, <a href="/facts/Rebel_groups/bUs5ESDx">rebel groups</a>, <a href="/facts/Liberation_armies/peRRrz7y">liberation armies</a>, <a href="/facts/Guerrilla_warfare/IMWNg4bI">guerrilla armies</a>, <a href="/facts/Militants/JFJkBXcL">militants</a>, <a href="/facts/Insurgents/mvmqQYJt">insurgents</a>, and <a href="/facts/Terrorist_groups/LmnuRFFL">terrorist groups</a>.</li></ul> <h3>Law enforcement</h3> <ul><li>Semi-militarized law enforcement units within civilian police, such as <a href="/facts/Police_tactical_unit/SkzjcByv">police tactical units</a>, <a href="/facts/SWAT/IgVhalBk">SWAT</a>, <a href="/facts/Emergency_Service_Unit/cgJudXSH">Emergency Service Units</a>, and <a href="/facts/Incident_response_team/SJ1wPwFN">incident response teams</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Gendarmerie/IU7lsrLc">Gendarmeries</a>, such as the French <a href="/facts/National_Gendarmerie/MuStvm7G">National Gendarmerie</a>, Chinese <a href="/facts/People%2527s_Armed_Police/GDz9TnfS">People's Armed Police</a>, Dutch <a href="/facts/Royal_Marechaussee/uFh0gquq">Royal Marechaussee</a>, Egyptian <a href="/facts/Central_Security_Forces/auFNlGqJ">Central Security Forces</a>, European <a href="/facts/European_Gendarmerie_Force/8acrNByN">EUROGENDFOR</a>, Turkic <a href="/facts/TAKM/AVPkHel2">TAKM</a>, and Chilean <a href="/facts/Carabineros_de_Chile/oBV3NnPX">Carabineros de Chile</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Border_guard/eSNdwRaJ">Border guards</a>, such as the <a href="/facts/Australian_Border_Force/B02paEL4">Australian Border Force</a>, Indian <a href="/facts/Border_Security_Force/xea203V2">Border Security Force</a>, <a href="/facts/Bangladeshis/Mj4SVCCE">Bangladeshi</a> <a href="/facts/Border_Guard_Bangladesh/tWDeFRAr">Border Guard Bangladesh</a>, and Turkish <a href="/facts/Village_guard_system/kQJd6b4B">village guards</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Security_forces/xsgXKLuM">Security forces</a> of ambiguous military status, such as <a href="/facts/Internal_Troops/8wRrKAWH">internal troops</a>, <a href="/facts/Railroad_Guards_(disambiguation)/lKjy93vd">railroad guard corps</a>, and <a href="/facts/Railway_troops/j9dCHnux">railway troops</a></li> <li>Branches of <a href="/facts/Government_agency/JtIrud40">government agencies</a> such as <a href="/facts/Intelligence_agency/r3kDlaeD">intelligence agencies</a> tasked with law enforcement, tactical support, or security operations, such as the <a href="/facts/Central_Intelligence_Agency/U7urmQYL">Central Intelligence Agency</a>'s <a href="/facts/Special_Activities_Center/onhFD8PA">Special Activities Center</a> and <a href="/facts/Counterterrorism_Mission_Center/feMbh3cJ">Global Response Staff</a>, or the <a href="/facts/United_States_Department_of_Energy/PRp6Cz8g">U.S. Department of Energy</a>'s <a href="/facts/Federal_Protective_Forces/rfA6d5C1">Federal Protective Forces</a></li></ul> <h3>Civil defense</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Lithuanian_Riflemen%2527s_Union/1d7gjgor">Lithuanian Riflemen's Union</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Militia_(China)/wo7JNSsc">Chinese Militia</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/SSB_(militia)/uIYwQabJ">SSB</a></li></ul> <h3>Political</h3> <ul><li>Armed, semi-militarized wings of <a href="/facts/Political_party/IAKw7oEK">political parties</a> and similar political organizations.</li></ul> <h2 id="examples-of-paramilitary-units">Examples of paramilitary units</h2> <p class="note">For a more comprehensive list, see <a href="/facts/List_of_paramilitary_organizations/35TqUahL">List of paramilitary organizations</a> and <a href="/facts/List_of_defunct_paramilitary_organizations/tUQlQB1S">List of defunct paramilitary organizations</a>.</p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li>Category:Rebel militia groups</li> <li><a href="/facts/Militia/c7CHBd54">Militia</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/International_Association_of_Gendarmeries_and_Police_Forces_with_Military_Status/D7FULNQT">International Association of Gendarmeries and Police Forces with Military Status</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_Serbian_paramilitary_formations/4HRcPqdp">List of Serbian paramilitary formations</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Militarization_of_police/G21nKNB4">Militarization of police</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Police_tactical_unit/SkzjcByv">Police tactical unit</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Fourth-generation_warfare/RguTvBQX">Fourth-generation warfare</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Violent_non-state_actor/M6ecHnHY">Violent non-state actor</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Military_urbanism/Wrqr9qaf">Military urbanism</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Private_army/uBI7KD2B">Private army</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Fascist_paramilitary/U5qgzgXP">Fascist paramilitary</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Guerrilla_warfare/IMWNg4bI">Guerrilla warfare</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_countries_by_number_of_military_and_paramilitary_personnel/bTvFzuQI">List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_paramilitary_organizations/35TqUahL">List of paramilitary organizations</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Bangladesh_Ansar/fX7slUL1">Bangladesh Ansar</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Border_Security_Force/xea203V2">Border Security Force</a></li></ul> <h2 id="further-reading">Further reading</h2> <ul><li>Golkar, Saeid. (2012) <a href="http://afs.sagepub.com/content/38/4/625.abstract">Paramilitarization of the Economy: the Case of Iran's Basij Militia</a>, <a href="/facts/Armed_Forces_%2526_Society/JDC18q4T">Armed Forces & Society</a>, Vol. 38, No. 4</li> <li>Golkar, Saeid. (2012). Organization of the Oppressed or Organization for Oppressing: Analysing the Role of the Basij Militia of Iran. Politics, Religion & Ideology, Dec., 37–41. doi:10.1080/21567689.2012.725661</li> <li><a href="/facts/U%25C4%259Fur_%25C3%259Cmit_%25C3%259Cng%25C3%25B6r/qyIHBBRV">Üngör, Uğur Ümit</a> (2020). <i>Paramilitarism: Mass Violence in the Shadow of the State</i>. <a href="/facts/Oxford_University_Press/CYyTzzWG">Oxford University Press</a>. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-19-882524-1.</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Look up <i>paramilitary</i> in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Paramilitary organizations. <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"paramilitary". Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. June 2011 [online edition; original published in June 2005]. Retrieved 2011-09-13. Designating, of, or relating to a force or unit whose function and organization are analogous or ancillary to those of a professional military force, but which is not regarded as having professional or legitimate status. <a href="http://oed.com/search?searchType=dictionary&q=paramilitary" target="_blank">http://oed.com/search?searchType=dictionary&q=paramilitary</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"paramilitary". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.) <a href="https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?q=paramilitary" target="_blank">https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?q=paramilitary</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Wider conflict feared as Sudan's army and rival paramilitary force clash in capital". PBS NewsHour. 2023-04-15. Retrieved 2023-07-28. <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/wider-conflict-feared-as-sudans-army-and-rival-paramilitary-force-clash-in-capital" target="_blank">https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/wider-conflict-feared-as-sudans-army-and-rival-paramilitary-force-clash-in-capital</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Böhmelt, Tobias; Clayton, Govinda (February 2018). "Auxiliary Force Structure: Paramilitary Forces and Progovernment Militias". Comparative Political Studies. 51 (2): 197–237. doi:10.1177/0010414017699204. hdl:10654/38817. ISSN 0010-4140. <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0010414017699204" target="_blank">http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0010414017699204</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Böhmelt, Tobias; Clayton, Govinda (February 2018). "Auxiliary Force Structure: Paramilitary Forces and Progovernment Militias". Comparative Political Studies. 51 (2): 197–237. doi:10.1177/0010414017699204. hdl:10654/38817. ISSN 0010-4140. <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0010414017699204" target="_blank">http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0010414017699204</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>