Non-governmental military force
Aprivate army (orprivate military) is amilitary force under the command of a private person or organization, rather than a nation or state.[1]
Private armies may form when landowners arm household retainers for the protection of self and property in times of strife, and where and when central government is weak.[2] Such private armies existed for example in the Roman Empire following the collapse of central authority. The dynamics at play in such circumstances can be observed in modern-day Colombia: on the one hand there are those forces affiliated with thedrug cartels, existing to protect their criminality, and on the other those of the landlords created to resist kidnappings andextortion, i.e.Muerte a Secuestradores and theAutodefensas Unidas de Colombia.
In many places these private household retainers evolved intofeudal-like structures, formalising obligations and allegiances and becominghousehold troops, and in some cases gaining the strength to allow them to usurp power from their nominalsuzerain or to create new sovereign states.
Private armies may also form when co-religionists band together to defend themselves from real and perceived persecution and to further their creed, for example theHussites, the MormonNauvoo Legion and theMahdi Army in Iraq; because of their nature, suchmilitias are formed by or fall under the influence of charismatic leaders, and can become instruments of personal ambition.
- Sōhei: the warrior monks of Japan owed their loyalty not to the state or even the Emperor but to their monasteries.
- ThePresidency armies of theBritish East India Company, and the armed forces of theDutch East India Company. Both possessed powerful armies and navies, administering areas many times the size of their homelands.
- Themilitaries of the Indianprincely states, during theBritish Raj, which were mainly for ceremonial duties, protection of their princes, and internal security within their states.
- ChineseJunfas during theWarlord Era following the death ofYuan Shikai in 1916.
- TheSMR Zone defence force inManchukuo.[3]
- TheRoyal Johor Military Force of the state ofJohor is the privateroyal guard of theSultan of Johor inMalaysia.
- In the Philippines during World War II, some private armies such as theBisigbakal ñg Tagala,Makapili, andPambansang Pag-asa ng mga Anak ni Rizal were formed to support the Japanese. After the war, there were the Civilian Guards (Guardia Civil) formed by landowners in the Central Luzon to fight theHuks. Aftermartial law was declared in 1972, thearmy broke up 149 private armies loyal to politicians in provincial areas. In 2001, the Ampatuan Militia was formed, and in 2009 it committed amassacre, which led to its disbandment in the same year. In2013, militants claiming to be the Royal Forces of theSultanate of Sulu tried to invade Sabah at the direction of a claimant to the throne.
Russia and Caucasus
[edit]- TheMongoose Gang was a private army or militia which operated from 1967 to 1979 under the control of SirEric Gairy, the Premier and later Prime Minister ofGrenada.
Regular military forces whose allegiance is to one person or group.
[edit]Armed branch of a political party or movement
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