mercenary

A mercenary is a person hired to take part in an armed conflict primarily for private gain rather than for national or ideological reasons. In international law, mercenaries are described by criteria that include being specially recruited to fight, directly engaging in hostilities, and not being nationals or regular members of the armed forces of any party to the conflict. The definition is formal, but in practice few individuals meet all the criteria, and enforcement varies by jurisdiction and context.

Mercenaries are distinct from private military contractors (PMCs) or security contractors. PMCs operate as corporate entities that provide a range of services, including combat support, training, logistics, and security, and their personnel may include former soldiers who participate in hostilities. The legal status of PMCs and their employees can differ widely by country and situation, and is often debated in terms of accountability and civilian protection.

Historically, mercenaries have been employed by rulers seeking deniable or flexible forces. In modern conflicts, the line between mercenary activity and private security services is frequently blurred, with hiring by states, nonstate actors, and corporations. International norms and national laws aim to regulate or prohibit mercenarism, but treaty participation and enforcement are uneven. Ongoing concerns focus on accountability, the potential for abuses, and the impact on civilian safety, as well as the ambiguity surrounding the legal status of individuals and organizations involved in private warfare.