Small groups of fighters who use surprise attacks and hit-and-run tactics instead of traditional military battles, often fighting against a larger army.
From Spanish 'guerrilla' meaning 'little war,' derived from 'guerra' (war). The term became popular during the Peninsular War (1808-1814) when Spanish civilians used unconventional tactics against Napoleon's army.
Guerrilla warfare turned a military weakness into a strength—fighters with no tanks, planes, or uniforms could outmaneuver and exhaust a much larger traditional army by fighting smart rather than fighting big, which is why this tactic is still used today.
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