“Paramilitary groups” refer to organized, armed groups that operate alongside or outside official military and police forces. These groups often have military-like structures, training, and equipment but are not officially recognized as part of the state’s armed forces. They may be composed of civilians who take up arms, often motivated by political, ideological, or social goals. Paramilitary groups can function in various contexts, including conflict situations, insurgencies, civil wars, or in support of government policies. Their actions can range from providing security to engaging in violent confrontations, and they often exist in a legal gray area, blurring the lines between law enforcement and military operations. In many instances, such groups are controversial due to their potential for human rights abuses and their impact on state authority and social stability.
La frappe américaine à Bagdad qui a tué un commandant du puissant groupe paramilitaire Kataib Hezbollah cette semaine a mis en évidence le statut ambigu des factions armées alliées de…