Unconventional method of warfare characterized by surprise attacks, staying hidden, and hit and run tactics. The point is to counter the forces of a larger more powerful opponent and exploit its disadvantages.
Essentially guerrilla warfare is fighting an offensive war while staying on the defensive. The enemy is always on the offensive so a guerrilla force must always be on the defensive. The idea is to inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy by surprise and then return to a defensive position fast enough so that the enemy cannot find anything to retaliate against. This is done repeatidly to undermine the enemy until the guerrilla force grows stronger than the enemy at which point conventional war can be waged.
Essentially guerrilla warfare is fighting an offensive war while staying on the defensive. The enemy is always on the offensive so a guerrilla force must always be on the defensive. The idea is to inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy by surprise and then return to a defensive position fast enough so that the enemy cannot find anything to retaliate against. This is done repeatidly to undermine the enemy until the guerrilla force grows stronger than the enemy at which point conventional war can be waged.
by Octavio January 1, 2004
An irregular fighter in a (would-be or actual) popular insurgent army. It comes from a Spanish word meaning "little war" (guerra=war, guerilla=little war). Guerrillas hide in inaccessible areas and split up into small units instead of trying to confront their enemies head-on. They usually rely on support from the local population to keep them hidden and to supply them with food and other provisions. Their base of operation is an area such as a forest, mountainous terrain or tunnels underground, although there is also a term "urban guerrilla" referring to someone who tries to use guerrilla tactics in a city environment.
Guerrillas establish bases in what are called foca (singular foco) or base areas, with the theory being that these areas will gradually expand until the guerrillas control the entire countryside and the enemy is isolated in the cities. This is supposed to culminate in an eventual direct war, as happened in China. But today, guerrilla tactics are more often used to harass and impose costs on powerful armies so that they are unable to control a territory and are eventually forced to leave.
Guerrillas are archetypically left-wing, usually adhering to some version of Maoism, Guevarism or some other version of statist communism. It was from such currents that the idea of guerrilla war emerged. However, the term can also be applied to indigenous movements (e.g. the OPM), fundamentalists (e.g. the Afghan mujahideen) and even some right-wing populist groups backed by the US (such as Renamo in Mozambique). Although the emphasis on support from the impoverished masses gives guerrilla strategy a left-wing bent, it is a strategic approach and not a political tendency, so in theory a guerrilla can have any political perspective compatible with attempting to win popular support.
Guerrillas establish bases in what are called foca (singular foco) or base areas, with the theory being that these areas will gradually expand until the guerrillas control the entire countryside and the enemy is isolated in the cities. This is supposed to culminate in an eventual direct war, as happened in China. But today, guerrilla tactics are more often used to harass and impose costs on powerful armies so that they are unable to control a territory and are eventually forced to leave.
Guerrillas are archetypically left-wing, usually adhering to some version of Maoism, Guevarism or some other version of statist communism. It was from such currents that the idea of guerrilla war emerged. However, the term can also be applied to indigenous movements (e.g. the OPM), fundamentalists (e.g. the Afghan mujahideen) and even some right-wing populist groups backed by the US (such as Renamo in Mozambique). Although the emphasis on support from the impoverished masses gives guerrilla strategy a left-wing bent, it is a strategic approach and not a political tendency, so in theory a guerrilla can have any political perspective compatible with attempting to win popular support.
Battles between guerrillas and government forces in the breakaway province left hundreds dead.
Iraqi insurgents have insufficient resources to confront American troops head-on, so they have resorted to hit-and-run guerrilla tactics.
Iraqi insurgents have insufficient resources to confront American troops head-on, so they have resorted to hit-and-run guerrilla tactics.
by Andy May 3, 2004
" The Crip guerrillas member down the street got arrested selling drugs and doing drivebuys the other day. "
by Shadowcop November 10, 2008
The root labeling to an entity or asset of god, as such example, a guerrilla gardner, a guerrilla soldier, a guerrilla entrepeneur, a guerrilla warrior, a guerrilla records label, a guerrilla war ect.
by Mairsil October 10, 2008
When a small irregular force takes on a large regular force through the use of hit and run tactics, the element of surprise, sabotage, destroying the enemies line of communications, etc.
For guerrilla warfare to work, the insurgent army must have the full support of the inhabitants in the area in which the guerrilla forces are trying to liberate. The enemy is also the source of the guerrilla army’s ammunition. Guerrilla is Spanish for "little war" and it originated with the actions of small bands of Spanish soldiers who fought against Napoleon’s French army in the Peninsular War (1807-1814).
by Dancing with Fire July 8, 2011
A big, huge bar fight between drunk people, like in the old spaghetti western movies, very often acclimated in a filthy southern/southwestern bar or in the mexican border.
-Dude, the last night some drunk tejanos came to the bar, and after drinking lots of shots they started a big bar riot.
-Wow, that must have been a serious Tequila guerrilla, like in Wayne's movies.
-Wow, that must have been a serious Tequila guerrilla, like in Wayne's movies.
by Rodkor July 6, 2012
Guerrilla warfare is the unconventional warfare and combat with which small group combatants use mobile tactics (ambushes, raids, etc.) to combat a larger, less mobile formal army. The guerrilla army uses ambush (draw enemy forces to terrain unsuited to them) and mobility (advantage and surprise) in attacking vulnerable targets in enemy territory.
Some may think that the guerrilla warfare tactic is a smarter way to fight in a war and others unfair(but war is not fair)
by Laura R. January 10, 2008