A non-state armed group (NSAG) is an armed entity that operates independently of state governments and engages in armed conflict or insurgency. These groups are often referred to as non-state actors or non-state armed actors. NSAGs can take various forms, ranging from rebel groups, militias, and insurgent factions to terrorist organizations and paramilitary forces.
Key characteristics of non-state armed groups include independence from state control, armed activities, political or ideological motivations, and territorial control. NSAGs rely on various sources of funding and resources to sustain their activities. These sources can include illicit trade, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, donations from sympathetic individuals or groups, or support from external actors.
NSAGs can significantly affect civilian populations in areas where they operate. Their actions may lead to displacement, human rights abuses, restrictions on access to basic services, and impediments to humanitarian assistance.
Examples of Non-State Armed Groups include Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Boko Haram in Nigeria, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS), National Liberation Army in Colombia (ELN), Al-Shabaab in Somalia, Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and many others that have emerged in various regions around the world. NSAGs operate outside the framework of international law, and their actions often constitute violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.