Innrás

Innrás is an Icelandic term that denotes an invasion: the entry of armed forces into another country with the aim of conquering, occupying, or influencing its government. In everyday usage it describes large-scale cross-border military campaigns. Related terms include incursion (a more limited or brief entry), occupation (longer-term control of territory), and annexation (formal transfer of sovereignty).

Historically, invasions have reshaped borders and political trajectories. Examples include Viking incursions into the British Isles, the Norman conquest of England in 1066, and the Mongol invasions of various regions. In the modern era, major invasions such as Poland in 1939 and the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944 had lasting geopolitical consequences. In contemporary conflicts, invasions are often followed by occupation and attempts at regime change, though international norms seek to regulate or deter aggression.

Legal and ethical aspects: Under the United Nations Charter, the use of force against a sovereign state is generally prohibited except in self-defense or with Security Council authorization. The concept of aggression is defined in instruments such as United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974). Invasions are assessed under international law and can trigger sanctions, liability, or investigations for war crimes, depending on the conduct and intent involved. States may frame cross-border actions as self-defense or humanitarian interventions, but legality relies on the specifics and the applicable international legal framework.

Related topics include invasion, incursion, occupation, annexation, and international law.