Combat (French forfight) is a purposefulviolentconflict between multiplecombatants with the intent to harm the opposition. Combat may be armed (usingweapons) or unarmed (not using weapons). Combat is resorted to either as a method ofself-defense or to impose one's will upon others. An instance of combat can be a standalone confrontation or part of a wider conflict, and its scale can range from a fight between individuals to awar between organized groups. Combat may also be benign andrecreational, as in the cases ofcombat sports andmock combat.
Combat may comply with, or be in violation of, local or international laws regarding conflict. Examples of rules include theGeneva Conventions (covering the treatment of people in war),medievalchivalry, theMarquess of Queensberry Rules (covering boxing), and the individual rulesets of various combat sports.
Military combat always involves between two or more opposingmilitary forces inwarfare. Military combat situations can involve multiple groups, such as guerilla groups,insurgents, domestic and/or foreigngovernments. A military combat situation is known either as abattle or a war, depending on the size of the fighting and which geographical areas in which it occurs.Combat effectiveness has always demanded that the personnel maintain strategic preparedness by being sufficientlytrained,armed,equipped, andfunded to carry out combat operations in the unit to which they are assigned.[1] Warfare falls under thelaw of war, which govern its purposes and conduct, and protect the rights ofcombatants andnon-combatants.