ASYMMETRICAL ACTION OF NON-STATE ARMED GROUPS IN POST-CONFLICT AREAS
Abstract
The acceleration of globalization has caused a series of negative political, security, demographic and socio-economic consequences in the world, causing the weakening and the collapse of some states, the appearance of various forms of expression of political and social unrest, as well as the strengthening of non-state actors, especially those who use violence to achieve their political, ideological and socio-economic goals. The operation of non-state armed actors, or groups, such as Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, the Taliban, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Al-Shabaab, in post-conflict zones and areas of frozen conflicts, represents a significant political, security and social problem, at the national, regional and global level. Explanation of the nature and character of the non-state armed groups activities is the subject of consideration in this paper. The authors start from the hypothesis that the action of these actors is essentially asymmetric and largely based on the exploitation of the weaknesses of state and international entities. In this paper authors use the theoretical concept of asymmetry to explain the approaches, methods, techniques and tactics used by non-state armed groups in an effort to maximize their strengths and exploit the weaknesses of a superior adversary. The paper presents a theoretical synthesis of extensive scientific and professional literature on the nature of the activities of non-state armed groups. Numerous scientific and expert analysis and research indicate that non-state armed groups use unconventional and irregular approaches and methods of warfare against a superior opponent, often transferring the conflict to non-military dimensions, in order to compensate their military inferiority and effectively use the enemy's weaknesses. Their activity is very present in post-conflict zones and zones of frozen conflicts, especially in areas where the nexus of criminal activities, conflicts and vulnerability prevails. The asymmetric action of non-state armed groups, in the mentioned zones, is based on challenging state control of the territory and population, through deep infiltration into the political system of the state, creating state-like political orders, violently challenging the state legitimacy by carrying out terrorist attacks, usurping and taking over legal economic and financial flows, as well as organizing various criminal activities.
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