Similarities and Differences Between Terrorism and Guerilla Warfare

Abstract

Anybody might have sometimes noticed the similarities between guerrilla warfare and terrorism. Both of them are fighting for a cause, and both of them use different forms of violence to get their bloody message across. Despite their obvious and significant differences, these do often create confusion, even for the experts, which can then lead to them having an ignorant view on guerrilla fighters. After all, what are the differences and similarities between terrorism and guerrilla warfare? For the NATO military, both guerrilla warfare and terrorism are forms of asymmetric warfare that use violence as a persuasive deterrent and threat, with the intention of achieving some political goals. Both are also often used when a small force is facing a clearly superior military power that could not be defeated through a straightforward fight. Guerrilla warfare and insurgencies are often assumed to be synonymous withA terrorism. One reason for this is that insurgencies and terrorism often have similar goals. The main similarity between terrorism and guerrilla warfare is that these are both forms of asymmetric warfare, in other words, both use sneak attacks to undermine a more powerful enemy. However, if we examine insurgency and guerrilla warfare, specific differences emerge. In this article the authors highlights the most important distinguishing elements of the two phenomenons.