Guerrilla warfare or guerilla warfare (from the Spanish guerra, meaning 'war') is a type of warfare fought by irregulars or otherwise civilians who have picked up weapons, either in a permanent or temporary capacity (living a civilian life outside of their guerilla operations). Guerrilla warfare focuses on fast-moving, small-scale operations and has been used effectively against bigger and stronger armies in history, exploiting their blind spots to strike.
Guerrilla operations usually focus on logistics or infrastructure sabotage, stealing equipment, assassinating officers or otherwise limiting the effectiveness of the enemy army such that "it becomes too costly to pursue the war". They are usually supported by a regular army or, in case of occupation, become a resistance force supported by the civilian population to shelter and feed them.
History
While guerrilla warfare has greatly expanded in use during the 20th century thanks to more portable and reliable weapons, such tactics were first used during the Peninsular War of 1808-1814 when the Portuguese and Spanish armies drove France from the Iberian Peninsula.
Tactics
Historical and current examples
Historical
- The war of resistance against France (then followed by the USA) fought by Vietnam led to Vietnamese and the establishment of a Socialist Vietnam.
- The Cuban revolution led by Fidel and Raúl Castro, Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos led to the establishment of a socialist Cuba.
- During the war of resistance against the Japanese invasion of China, general Mao Zedong successfully led the Worker's and Peasant Red Army in guerrilla warfare as the National Revolutionary Army focused on regular warfare.
- Such tactics were also deployed by Kim Il-Sung's forces during the Japanese occupation of Korea that started in 1910.
- During the military dictatorship in Brazil, urban guerrilla groups carried out operations against the dictatorship.
Current
- The New People's Army of the Philippines and the Naxalites of India are currently waging a protracted people's war against their respective states.
- The various Palestinian resistance groups are currently waging guerrilla operations against the occupier in Palestine.
Further reading
- On guerrilla warfare, Mao Zedong
- Guerrilla warfare: a method, Che Guevara
- Minimanual of the Urban Guerrilla, Carlos Marighella
- Total Resistance, Hans von Dach