insurgent

An insurgent is a person who participates in an insurgency, an organized political-military campaign against an established government or authority, typically seeking to overthrow, replace, or coerce the ruling regime. The term originates from the Latin insurgere, “to rise up.” Insurgencies pursue political objectives through a mix of conventional and irregular warfare, political mobilization, and propaganda. Insurgents often operate in a population-rich environment, rely on stealth and mobility, and may blend among civilians to evade routine state control. Tactics commonly associated with insurgents include guerrilla warfare, ambushes, sabotage, targeted killings, and information warfare.

The status and legality of insurgents are contested and depend on the context of the conflict and applicable international law. In many cases, insurgent groups are considered non-state armed actors; governments describe them as rebels, militants, or terrorists, whereas insurgents may frame themselves as freedom fighters or a legitimate resistance. Insurgencies frequently arise from perceived grievances such as political exclusion, ethnic or sectarian discrimination, or denied autonomy, and they may be sustained by external support, illicit economies, or diaspora networks. Negotiations, amnesties, or political reforms are common pathways to ending insurgencies.

Examples of historical or contemporary insurgencies span civil wars, anti-colonial struggles, and regional conflicts. The label insurgent is fluid and may change with shifts in power, legitimacy, or recognition by international communities.

See also: insurgency, guerrilla warfare, rebellion, terrorism.