Asymmetric warfare is a type of war between belligerents whose relative military power, strategy, or tactics differ significantly. This type of warfare often, but not necessarily, involves insurgents or resistance movement militias who may have the status of unlawful combatants against a standing army.
A Viet Cong base camp being burned during the Vietnam War. An American private first class (PFC) stands by.
Oil-drum roadside IED in Northern Ireland removed from culvert in 1984
Remnants of rifles used by Filipino soldiers during the War on display at Clark Museum
Improvised molotov cocktails
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular or irregular military forces. Warfare refers to the common activities and characteristics of types of war, or of wars in general. Total war is warfare that is not restricted to purely legitimate military targets, and can result in massive civilian or other non-combatant suffering and casualties.
Mural of War (1896), by Gari Melchers
The Egyptian siege of Dapur in the 13th century BCE, from Ramesseum, Thebes.
Japanese samurai attacking a Mongol ship, 13th century
Finnish soldiers during the Winter War.