List Of Paramilitary Organizations
The following is a list of paramilitary organisations.
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Governmental paramilitary units
Africa
Kenya
- General Service Unit (Kenya)
- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
Libya (Libyan House of Representatives)
- Avengers of Blood
Mauritius
Nigeria
- Nigeria immigration service (NIS)
- Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
- Safety and Traffic Cadet Corps
Sudan
Americas
Canada
- Canadian Rangers
- The Emergency Response Team (RCMP)
- Marine Emergency Response Team
Costa Rica
The Public Force of Costa Rica is responsible for law enforcement duties, acting as both a civilian police force and gendarmerie. In addition to ordinary policing, it is responsible for border patrol, counter-insurgency, riot control, tourism security, and coast guard duties.
Peru
- The Rondas campesinas are community-based groups in Peru, formed initially to combat cattle rustling and later in response to the Shining Path insurgency. They function primarily as local self-defense and law enforcement entities, especially in rural areas with limited government presence.
United States
- CIA Special Activities Center, Special Operations Group
- DOE Federal Protective Forces
- DOE Office of Secure Transportation
- FBI SWAT
- FBI Hostage Rescue Team
- United States Marshals Service
- National Lancers
Venezuela
Asia
Bangladesh
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh Ansar | 12 February 1948 | Gendarmerie | Second largest paramilitary force in the world | 6.2 million | |
| Border Guard Bangladesh | Border surveillance and internal security personnel | 70 thousand | |||
| Bangladesh Coast Guard | 14 February 1995 | ||||
| Bangladesh National Cadet Corps | 23 March 1979 |
China (People’s Republic of China)
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| People's Armed Police | 19 June 1982 | Gendarmerie | 1.5 million | ||
| Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps | 1954 | State-owned enterprise Paramilitary organisation | unknown, officially 2.6 million employees | ||
| Militia of China | 1927 | Militia for general national defense mobilization | 8,000,000 | ||
| Maritime Militia of China | 1949-1950 | Naval militia | Unknown. Possibly no official members. |
Republic of China (Taiwan)
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Police Agency | 5 July 1972 | Law enforcement agency | |||
| Thunder Squad | 1985 | Localized Police tactical unit | 200 | ||
| Special Operations Group | Elite Paramilitary Special Forces Police tactical unit |
Hong Kong
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Aid Service | 1952 | Emergency Response/Search and Rescue Civil Agency | 112 full time; 3,634 adult members and 3,232 cadet members | ||
| Government Flying Service | 1993 | Paramilitary Law Enforcement related Air support services | 335 | ||
| Hong Kong Police Force | Police force | For subdivisions, see Structure of the Hong Kong Police Force. | Disciplined officers: 33,210 (2023) Auxiliary officers: 4,501 (2021), Unsworn: 4,735 (2023) | ||
| Special Duties Unit | 23 July 1974 | Elite Paramilitary Special Forces Police tactical unit | Over 120 | ||
| Counter Terrorism Response Unit | July 2009 | Anti-terrorism patrol-type Police tactical unit | 141 (2011) |
India
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assam Rifles | 1835 | Border Guarding and law enforcement force | 63,747 | ||
| BSF | 1 December 1965 | Largest border guarding force anywhere in the world | 292,000 | ||
| CRPF | 27 July 1937 | A central police force whose job is to assist state government, police or other agencies at time of their needs | 313,634 | ||
| ITBP | 1962 | Border Guarding and Law enforcement force which operates on the Indo - Chinese borders | 89,432 | ||
| NSG | 16 October 1984 | Counter-terrorism force | this force recruits its personnel from the police, paramilitary and Army from all around the India with the maximum service tenure of five years. |
| |
| CISF | 10 March 1969 | Guard Sensitive National Assets | Protection and Security | 1,90,000 |
Indonesia
Japan
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Police Agency | July 1, 1954 | Law enforcement agency | 7,995 (2020) | ||
| Special Assault Team | 1977 | Elite Paramilitary Special Forces Police tactical unit | Approx. 300 |
Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea/“North Korea”)
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| People's Border Guards | Border surveillance and internal security personnel | ||||
| Worker-Peasant Red Guards | January 1959 | Paramilitary militia | 5 million |
Korea (Republic of Korea/“South Korea”)
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Police Agency | 1 August 1991 | Law enforcement agency | 126,227 (2020) | ||
| Special Operations Unit | Elite Paramilitary Special Forces Police tactical unit |
Malaysia
- Pasukan Gerakan Am as Paramilitary Force
- People's Volunteer Corps of Ministry of Home Affairs
- 69 Komando PGK as Multi Spectrum Special Force
Nepal
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Police Force | 24 October 2001 | Counter-insurgency Specialised Police Force | Unknown |
Pakistan
Philippines
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit | 25 July 1987 | Auxiliary unit | 60,000 (2007) | ||
| Special Action Force |
Sri Lanka
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Task Force | 1983 | Elite Paramilitary – Special Operations Forces |
Thailand
| Name | Active Since | Type | Comments | Size | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border Patrol Police | |||||
| Marine Paramilitary Task Force | |||||
| Paramilitary Marine Regiment, Royal Thai Navy | Also known as Thahan Phran Marines | ||||
| Thahan Phran | Also known as Thai Rangers | ||||
| Village Scouts | |||||
| Volunteer Defense Corps | 10 February 1954 | Security Forces | Unknown |
Vietnam
Europe
Albania
Estonia
Finland
France
- Action Division of DGSE
- National Gendarmerie
- Marseille Naval Fire Battalion of the French Navy
- Paris Fire Brigade of the French Army
Georgia
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
- Guarda Nacional Republicana (National Republican Guard)
Russia
Sweden
Turkey
Ukraine
Middle East
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Syria
Oceania
Australia
Non-governmental paramilitary units
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2021) |
Africa
Somalia
Sudan
Americas
Colombia
- AUC
- AAA
- CONVIVIR
- Peasant Self-Defense Forces of Córdoba and Urabá (ACCU)
- Los Paisas
- Black Eagles
- Los Rastrojos
- Libertadores del Vichada
- Bloque Meta
- ERPAC
See also Right-wing paramilitarism in Colombia.
Mexico
United States
Various unorganized non-governmental Militia organizations in the United States (that are not associated with the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies, nor state defense forces in any way). There are many others totaling at around 334 unorganized militia groups as of 2011
- 3 Percenters
- Arizona Border Recon
- Hutaree
- Idaho Light Foot Militia
- Michigan Militia
- Militia of Montana
- Missouri Citizens Militia
- New York Light Foot Militia
- Oath Keepers
- Ohio Defense Force
- Texas Light Foot Militia
- Fruit of Islam, paramilitary wing of the Nation of Islam
Asia
Cambodia
- Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) (Cholana Kangtoap Serei Cheat Kampouchea): Rebel group in Cambodia
Indonesia
- Pancasila Youth
- Free Aceh Movement: Regional separatist group in Aceh, Indonesia. Also known as Aceh Security Disturbance Movement.
Malaysia
- Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN): National separatist group in Malaysia and Thailand
- Barisan Nasional Pembebasan Patani (BNPP): Islamic insurgent group in Malaysia and Thailand
Myanmar
- Eastern Shan State Army
- Mong Tai Army (MTA): Armed drug cartel
- National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA)
- United Wa State Army (UWSA): Autonomous military group in Wa State
- Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA): Also known as the Kokang Army, a Kokang nationalist group active in Myanmar.
- Karen National Liberation Army
- Kachin Independence Army: Group in North Burma which occupies most of Kachin State.[circular reference]
- Shan State Army - North
- Shan State Army - South
Philippines
- Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG): Islamic separatist group in the southern Philippines. Also known as Al Harakut Al Islamiyya.
- Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB): Urban militant group of the Communist Party of the Philippines
- Bagani: A counter insurgency group operating in Cabanglasan.
- Ilaga (1971-1979): Christian extremist paramilitary group in the Southern Philippines. They battled against the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
- Alamara: A counterinsurgency operating across the central-eastern side of Mindanao
Sri Lanka
Thailand
- Barasi Revolusi Nasional (BRN): National separatist group in Malaysia and Thailand
- Barisan National Pember-Basan Pattani (BNPP): Islamic insurgent group in Malaysia and Thailand
Europe
Kosovo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Green Berets
- Serbian Honour. A Russian-trained and -funded paramilitary unit acting in support of separatist leader Milorad Dodik.
Croatia
- Ustaše Militia acted as a para-military unit, an auxiliary part of the WW2 Croatian Nazi Puppet State's Armed Forces
Georgia
- Algeti Wolves: Georgian group which carried out anti-Russian attacks in the 1990s.
- Merab Kostava Society
- White Eagles
- Forest Brothers
- White Legion
Ireland
- Óglaigh na hÉireann (OnH) (2006–09): Small dissident Irish republican group, split from the Continuity IRA.
- Óglaigh na hÉireann (OnH) (2009–): Dissident Irish republican group, split from the Real IRA due to differences in leadership and factionalism.
Poland
- Strzelec Riflemen's Association of Poland
Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
- Atesh (movement)
- Berdiansk Partisan Army
- Freedom of Russia Legion
- Misanthropic Division
- Popular Resistance of Ukraine
- Russian Volunteer Corps
- Ukrainian National Self Defense
United Kingdom
There are a number of paramilitary organisations in the United Kingdom, most of them operate in and around Northern Ireland and are a continuation of the various paramilitary groups which operated in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Apart from these, there are a small number of white supremacist paramilitary organisations which operate in the United Kingdom.
- Real Irish Republican Army mainly in Northern Ireland
- Ulster Defence Association (UDA): Ulster loyalist group.
- Ulster Resistance mainly in Northern Ireland
- Ulster Volunteer Force mainly in Northern Ireland
- Combat 18 - British Neo-Nazi group
- Red Hand Commando (RHC): Ulster loyalist paramilitary group, linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force
- Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF): Ulster loyalist group, split from the UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade.
- Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) (1974–): Split from the Official IRA in opposition to the OIRA's 1972 ceasefire. Mainly in Northern Ireland
- Irish People's Liberation Organisation (IPLO) (1986–92): Formed by expelled and disaffected members of the INLA after that group started to reduce operations in the mid 1980s. The group were heavily involved in drug dealing and other criminal activities and were forcibly shut down in 1992 by the Provisional IRA.
- Irish Republican Liberation Army (IRLA) (2006–): A "self-styled vigilante group" that split from the Continuity IRA. Linked to the Loyalist Volunteer Force according to some sources.
- The name Irish Republican Army (IRA) has been used by many Irish republican groups in the 20th and 21st centuries. The following names are commonly used by the media and security services, but each group referred to themselves solely as the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and generally rejected the legitimacy of the others.
- Irish Volunteers (1913–16) Set up to counter the Ulster Volunteers but was shut down after the Easter Rising and formed the I.R.A. (1917–22)
- Irish Republican Army (1917–22): The original IRA, which was the official defence force of the Irish Republic and fought in the Irish War of Independence.
- Irish Republican Army (1922–69): The anti-treaty continuation of the original IRA, active during the Irish Civil War, Irish sabotage campaign, Northern Campaign, Irish Border Campaign and the Troubles.
- Official IRA (OIRA) (1969–72): The Official IRA was formed after a split in 1969 between different factions of the 1922 IRA. The OIRA became a more overtly political movement, advocating Marxist–Leninist principles.
- Provisional IRA (PIRA) (1969–2005): Also known as the Provos, the Provisional IRA was the more militarily active of the two IRAs created out of the 1969 split.
- Continuity IRA (CIRA) (1986–): Split from the Provisional IRA when that group dropped its policy of abstentionism in relation to Dáil Éireann.
- Real IRA (RIRA) (1997–): Known in the media as the New IRA since their 2012 merger with Republican Action Against Drugs and other smaller republican militant groups, they split from the Provisional IRA over that group's support for the Irish peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.
Middle East
Lebanon
Palestine
- Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas
- Al-Quds Brigades of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
- Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades
- Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades of the Popular Resistance Committees
- Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades of the PFLP
- National Resistance Brigades of the DFLP
- Mujahideen Brigades of the Palestinians Mujahideen Movement
Multinational
- Nordic Strength[citation needed]
- Sea Org: Scientology group with roots in naval tradition. Dress in uniforms, live communally in barracks, and are organized around naval ranks. Some dispute whether it is paramilitary.
See also
- List of defunct paramilitary organizations
- List of police tactical units
- List of private military contractors
- List of private security companies
- List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel
- List of police tactical units
- Police tactical unit
- Militia
- Military volunteer
- Mercenary
- List of designated terrorist groups
- Violent non-state actor
- Private army
Footnotes
- Bowman, Steve (2010). War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Military Operations, and Issues for Congress. DIANE Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4379-2698-9.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (2017). The Military Balance 2017. Routledge. ISBN 9781857439007.
- Bahl, Taru; Syed, M. H. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Muslim World: Iran. Anmol Publications. ISBN 9788126114191.
- Shambaugh, David (2002). Modernizing China's military: progress, problems, and prospects. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520225077.
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