Guides · Updated 2026-10-28

State forces, militias and armed groups explained

News reports name many kinds of fighting forces. Understanding the categories helps you follow who is involved in a conflict without taking sides in arguments about labels.

State armed forces

A country’s regular army, navy and air force, under government command. In most countries the police and border guards are separate, though in some conflicts they take part in fighting. Reports may also mention reservists or conscripts, who are called up in addition to professional soldiers.

Paramilitary and auxiliary forces

Organised forces that are linked to the state but are not part of the regular military, such as some gendarmeries and national guards, or government-backed units recruited locally. Their relationship with the government can change over time, and in some conflicts such forces have turned against the army.

Militias

Armed groups outside the regular forces, often organised around a community, region, ethnic group or political movement. Some defend local areas; some are aligned with a government or an opposition; some act independently or for profit. The same militia can switch sides as a war goes on.

Rebel and insurgent movements

Organised non-state armed groups fighting a government to take power, gain autonomy or independence, or change policies. They range from small cells to movements controlling territory and running local administrations, courts and taxes. Large movements often split into factions with different leaders and aims.

Private military companies and foreign forces

Private companies provide security, training or combat services, sometimes for governments. Foreign states may also send troops, advisers or equipment, or support local groups from a distance. The degree of foreign involvement is often contested and hard to confirm, and governments may deny it.

Why labels are disputed

The same group may be called rebels, terrorists, freedom fighters, militants or self-defence forces depending on who is speaking. Governments may designate groups as terrorist organisations, which has legal consequences, while other governments do not. On our country pages we describe the main parties using the names most widely used by international outlets and say when a label is contested.

What happens to armed groups after a war

Peace agreements often include programmes known as disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR), which collect weapons, disband units and help former fighters return to civilian life. Some groups are instead merged into the national army or police. These steps take years and are among the hardest parts of a peace process, because groups fear losing protection or power.

Why it matters for readers

Knowing what kind of force is involved helps you judge reports: a statement from a regular army spokesperson, a claim on a militia’s messaging channel and a report from a local journalist carry different weights. Under the laws of war, the same core rules apply to all of them; see the laws of war in plain language.