unconventional warfare

American  

noun

1. warfare that is conducted within enemy lines through guerrilla tactics or subversion, usually supported at least in part by external forces.

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Example Sentences

“We have been the experts on counterinsurgency, on conventional and unconventional warfare, for the past 25 years. That is not the case in the Arctic,” said Ryan P. Burke, professor at the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Special forces are a branch of the military trained to carry out covert operations, often through unconventional warfare such as sabotage and diversion.

From Barron's • Nov. 1, 2025

The Quds force that Soleimani led is a branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which specialises in unconventional warfare and military intelligence.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2024

They include small-group tactics and operations to detect ambush sites for improvised explosive devices, according to Russia’s Tass news agency, in apparent preparation for urban battles and unconventional warfare against militias and volunteers.

From Washington Post • Feb. 10, 2022

For the first time in the then-roughly 50-year history of Special Forces, the soldiers would be asked to lead an actual unconventional warfare campaign, partnering with indigenous forces to take down a government.

From Washington Times • Jan. 27, 2018