paramilitary

Paramilitary refers to organizations that resemble or function like military forces but are not part of a country’s official armed forces. They may be state-sanctioned units or non-state groups, and they often assume roles that support, supplement, or substitute for the regular military in certain operations. Paramilitary bodies are typically organized with military-style structures, training, and equipment, and they may operate in roles such as national defense, internal security, border protection, counterterrorism, disaster response, and protection of strategic assets.

In state contexts, paramilitary units include entities such as national guards, gendarmeries, border guards, and police tactical units. These forces usually operate under civilian oversight or separate ministries while maintaining military-like discipline and capabilities. Non-state paramilitary actors include militias, insurgent wings, volunteer corps, and, in some cases, private security or private military companies that perform combat or security tasks. The legal status and accountability of paramilitary groups vary widely by country, influencing questions of legality, oversight, and human rights compliance. The term is sometimes used critically to describe groups that operate with military techniques outside established civilian control or that commit abuses.

Common features of paramilitary organizations include a defined hierarchy, training programs, standardized equipment, and the ability to conduct operations that require coordination beyond typical police work but fall short of full-scale conventional warfare. They have played prominent roles in both state-building and conflict, and reforms or demobilization efforts often address their governance, accountability, and integration with regular security forces.