Correct Answer: a government-organized movement of soldiers
guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare in which small groups of combatants, such as paramilitary personnel, armed civilians, or irregulars, use military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tactics, and mobility to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military. it is typically conducted by non-state actors or actors who are not part of the formal military apparatus of a state.
the question asks which of the listed options is not a definition of guerrilla warfare. the correct answer, "a government-organized movement of soldiers," excludes guerrilla warfare primarily because guerrilla warfare is generally not organized by a government but rather by groups opposing a government or an occupying force. guerrilla fighters usually emerge from the population of the area in which they are fighting and may form in opposition to control or policies seen as unfair or oppressive.
the tactics of guerrilla warfare, including the use of snipers, terrorist activities, small strategic raids, and attacks, are designed to maximize the advantages of small, mobile units that can engage the enemy at their choosing and then disappear. this form of warfare is typically adopted when the fighting group is at a distinct disadvantage in terms of firepower, equipment, and soldiers when compared to the conventional forces of a state or an occupying power.
this style of combat is aimed at wearing down the enemy by means of small, repeated incidents rather than engaging in pitched battles. guerrilla tactics are characterized by their flexibility, the use of terrain knowledge, and often the support of the local population. these tactics can indeed be used by government forces particularly in the context of special operations, but when they are employed by established government forces against opposition groups, they do not constitute guerrilla warfare but rather counter-insurgency or similar operations.
therefore, the distinguishing feature of guerrilla warfare is its use by non-governmental groups to challenge established authorities, which is why "a government-organized movement of soldiers" is not a proper descriptor for guerrilla warfare, but rather a description of conventional military operations or state-led counterinsurgency efforts.
|