List of rebel groups that control territory

This is a list of active rebel groups that control territory around the world whose domains may be subnational, transnational, or international. A "rebel group" is defined here as a polity that uses armed conflict in opposition to established government (or governments) for reasons such as to seek political change or to establish, maintain, or to gain independence. Groups that "control territory" are defined as any group that hold any populated or inhabited city, town, village, hamlet, or defined area that is under the direct administration or military control of the group. Such control may be contested and might be temporary or fluctuating, especially under the circumstance of conflict.

It does not include the governments of stable breakaway states or other states with limited recognition.

class="wikitable sortable"
Within state ! Rebel group ! Conflict ! Control since ! Territory controlled ! Notes ! Leader ! Headquarters
{{BFA}} {{MLI}} {{SOM}} {{YEM}} \| {{nowrap\|{{flagicon image\|Flag of Jihad.svg}} Al-Qaeda}} \| Islamist insurgency in Burkina Faso Mali War Somali Civil War Yemeni Civil War \| 2006 \| {{flagicon\|Burkina Faso}} Parts of Burkina Faso[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/18/state-controls-only-60-percent-of-burkina-faso-mediator State controls just 60 percent of Burkina Faso: ECOWAS mediator], 18 June 2022 {{flagicon\|Mali}} Parts of central and northern Mali{{cite web\|url=https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/276-speaking-with-the-bad-guys.pdf \|title=Speaking with the "Bad Guys": Toward Dialogue with Central Mali's Jihadists\|quote= While the Malian army controls towns and their immediate vicinity, the jihadists rule the countryside, erecting checkpoints on rural roads and patrolling rivers\|date=28 May 2019}} {{flagicon\|Somalia}} Large parts of southern and central Somalia{{cite web \|last1=Osman \|first1=Jamal \|title=Inside Al Shabaab \|url=https://www.channel4.com/news/inside-al-shabaab-the-extremist-group-trying-to-seize-somalia \|website=Channel4 \|date=15 June 2022 \|access-date=10 October 2022}} {{flagicon\|Yemen}} Small parts of Abyan Governorate{{cite web \|last1=Hussien \|first1=Shurki \|title=Yemen separatists seize al-Qaeda stronghold in Abyan \|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-separatists-seize-al-qaeda-stronghold-in-abyan/2688206}} \| \| TBD \| Tinzaouaten (Mali){{cite web\|url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/pellerin_armed_violence_sahara_2020_okes.pdf\|title=Armed violence in the Sahara\|first=Mathieu\|last=Pellerin\|date=November 2019}} Jilib (Somalia){{cite web\|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202003270329.html\|title=Somalia: Al-Shabaab Leaders Split Over Funds Control\|date=27 March 2020\|publisher=AllAfrica}}
{{NGA}} \| {{flagicon image\|Flag of Jihad.svg}} Boko Haram \| Boko Haram insurgency \| 2009 \| {{flagicon\|Nigeria}} Parts of Borno, Kaduna, and Niger States{{Cite web\|url=https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/IF10173.pdf\|title=Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province}} \| Relocated to Kaduna State after the Battle of Sambisa Forest \| Abu Umaimata \| Chikun{{Cite web\|url=https://thestreetjournal.org/dss-boko-haram-relocating-from-sambisa-forest-to-kaduna/\|title = DSS: Boko Haram relocating from Sambisa forest to Kaduna\|date = 15 September 2021}}{{Cite web\|url=https://www.legit.ng/1434385-leaked-memo-terrorists-fleeing-sambisa-forest-kaduna-dss.html\|title=Leaked DSS memo shows fleeing Boko Haram terrorists are moving to Kaduna\|date=15 September 2021}}
{{BFA}} {{MLI}} {{MOZ}} {{NIG}} {{NGA}} {{SOM}} \| {{nowrap\|{{flag icon\|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} Islamic State}} \| Islamist insurgency in Burkina Faso Mali War Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Jihadist insurgency in Niger Boko Haram insurgency Somali Civil War \| 2015 \| {{flagicon\|Burkina Faso}} Parts of Burkina Faso {{flagicon\|Mali}} Several villages in Gao{{cite book \|last=Mémier \|first=Marc \|url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/memier_aqmi_et_al-mourabitoun_fr_2017.compressed.pdf \|title=AQMI et Al-Mourabitoun : le djihad sahélien réunifié? \|date=January 2017 \|series=Études de l’Ifri \|publisher=Institut français des relations internationales \|isbn=978-2-36567-661-8 \|pages=54 \|language=fr \|access-date=28 November 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312043437/https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/memier_aqmi_et_al-mourabitoun_fr_2017.compressed.pdf \|archive-date=12 March 2017 \|url-status=live}} {{flagicon\|Mozambique}} Parts of Cabo Delgado{{cite web \|date=10 February 2022 \|title=Winning Peace in Mozambique's Embattled North \|url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/southern-africa/mozambique/winning-peace-mozambiques-embattled-north}} {{flagicon\|Niger}} Parts of southern Niger{{Cite web \|title=Violent Extremism in the Sahel {{!}} Global Conflict Tracker \|url=https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/violent-extremism-sahel \|access-date=2024-12-17 \|website=www.cfr.org \|language=en}} {{flagicon\|Nigeria}} Parts of Borno State{{Cite web \| url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/economics-of-terrorism-in-lake-chad-basin \|title = Economics of terrorism in Lake Chad Basin\|date = 10 July 2019}}{{Cite web \| url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/several-killed-in-fight-between-boko-haram-iswap-members/ \| title=Several killed in fight between Boko Haram, ISWAP members\| date=20 January 2020}}{{cite news \|url=https://humanglemedia.com/iswap-still-controls-vast-areas-of-guzamala-in-northeast/ \|title=ISWAP Still Controls Vast Areas of Guzamala In Northeast \|first=Abdulkareem \|last=Haruna \|date=June 30, 2022 \|work=HumAngle}} {{flagicon\|Somalia}} Several villages in Bari{{cite web\|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/S_2019_858_E.pdf\|title=Letter dated 1 November 2019 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia addressed to the President of the Security Council\|page=84\|date=1 November 2019}} \| Designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations{{cite web\|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2013/sc11019.doc.htm\|title=Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Amends Entry\|publisher=United Nations\|date=30 May 2013\|access-date=12 November 2016}} \| Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi \| Unknown
{{NGA}} \| {{flagicon\|Biafra}} Indigenous People of Biafra \| Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria \| 2021 \| Parts of the former Republic of Biafra \| \| Nnamdi Kanu \| Unknown
{{CMR}} \| {{flagicon\|Biafra}} Biafra Nations League \| Bakassi conflict \| 2021 \| Bakassi Peninsula \| \| Princewill Chimezie Richards, Henry Edet \| Bakassi
{{CMR}} \| {{flagicon\|Ambazonia}} Red Dragon \| Anglophone Crisis \| 2019 \| Several villages in Lebialem, Southwest Region{{cite web\|url=https://actucameroun.com/2020/05/14/cameroun-securite-au-noso-letau-se-resserre-autour-de-field-marshall/\|title=Cameroun/Sécurité au NoSo : l'étau se resserre autour de Field Marshall\|website=ActuCameroun.com\|date=14 May 2020\|access-date=16 May 2020\|df=dmy-all}} \| Loyal to the Interim Government of Ambazonia \| Lekeaka Oliver \| Unknown
{{CAF}} \| Coalition of Patriots for Change \| Central African Republic Civil War \| 2020 \| Parts of Central African Republic \| Coalition of multiple groups including Anti-balaka, 3R, and MPC \| François Bozizé{{cite web\|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/19/armed-rebel-groups-in-c-africa-form-coalition\|title=CAR says ex-president attempting 'coup' as rebels form coalition\|date=19 December 2020}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55376322\|title=François Bozizé: CAR accuses former president of 'attempted coup'\|publisher=BBC\|website=BBC.co.uk/News\|date=19 December 2020\|access-date=20 December 2020\|df=dmy-all}} \| N'Djamena, Chad[https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20211106-françois-bozizé-et-d-autres-chefs-rebelles-centrafricains-se-trouvent-à-ndjamena François Bozizé et d'autres chefs rebelles centrafricains se trouvent à Ndjamena], 7 November 2021
rowspan="3"\|{{COD}} \| Mai-Mai \| rowspan="3"\|Kivu conflict \| 2003 \| Parts of northeastern DRC[http://missoulian.com/news/world/africa/congo-army-un-take-on-rebel-group-in-northeast/article_f61f405b-d005-58c9-8dd4-7b72ef7c8659.html]{{dead link\|date=March 2016}} \| Various groups \| Various leaders \| Depending on group
March 23 Movement \| 2012 \| Parts of North Kivu province{{cite news \|title=Congo military accuses Rwanda of invasion; rebels seize town \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/m23-rebels-in-eastern-congo-seize-town-near-uganda-border/2022/06/13/3f38b9da-eb33-11ec-9f90-79df1fb28296_story.html \|author1=Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro \|author2=Justin Kabumba \|newspaper=Washington Post \|date=13 June 2022 \|access-date=13 June 2022}} \| \| Bertrand Bisimwa \|
{{flagicon image\|NDCRflag.svg}} Nduma Defense of Congo-Renouveau \| 2015 \| Parts of North Kivu province{{cite web\|url=https://www.chronicles.rw/2020/05/15/ndc-r-congos-contract-militia-which-killed-fdlrs-gen-sylvestre-mudacumura/\|title=NDC-R: Congo's Contract Militia Which "Killed" FDLR's Gen Sylvestre Mudacumura\|date=15 May 2020}} \| \| Shimiray Mwissa Guidon \| Pinga
{{Flag\|India}} \| {{flagicon image\|People_s_liberation_guerrilla_army_naxals_flag_by_santiagosoto-d8t7wuz-800x445.jpg}} People's Liberation Guerrilla Army \|Naxalite–Maoist insurgency \|2000s \|Red corridorhttps://study.com/academy/lesson/naxalite-maoist-insurgency-history-leaders.html {{Bare URL inline\|date=May 2025}} \| \|Ganapathy \|
{{MLI}} \| {{flag\|Azawad}} \| Mali War \| 2012 \| Parts of northern Mali{{cite news\|url=https://north-africa.com/2020/02/mali-government-seeks-to-assert-control-over-restive-north-to-send-troops-to-kidal/\|title=Mali government seeks to assert control over restive north, to send troops to Kidal\|date=7 February 2020}} \| \| Bilal Ag Acherif \| Kidal{{cite web\|url=https://news.yahoo.com/photos/tuareg-soldier-guards-azawad-movements-headquarters-kidal-northern-photo-002916534.html\|title=A Tuareg soldier guards the Azawad Movement's headquarters in Kidal, northern Mali\|date=5 June 2015\|work=Yahoo News}}
{{ETH}} \| {{flagicon image\|Flag_of_Ethiopia_(Blank).svg}} Fano \| War in Amhara \| 2023 \| Parts of the Amhara Region{{cite web \|title=Ethiopia's Ominous New War in Amhara \|date=16 November 2023 \|url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/ethiopia/b194-ethiopias-ominous-new-war-amhara}} \| \| Zemene Kassie \|
rowspan="17"\|{{MMR}} \| File:Kachin Independence Army flag.svg Kachin Independence Organization \| rowspan="17" \| Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war \| 1960s \| Parts of Kachin State{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-21107440\|title=Burma attack breaks Kachin truce near China border\|publisher=BBC\|date=20 January 2013\|access-date=18 August 2014\|quote=The rebels are seeking greater autonomy within Burma for ethnic Kachins who have had de facto control over a part of northern Burma for more than 50 years.}} \| Kachin militant group \| N'Ban La \| Laiza
File:Flag of PDF Myanmar.svg People's Defence Force \| 2021 \| Parts of Sagaing Region[https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-interview/20220510-myanmar-s-civilian-president-claims-resistance-controls-nearly-half-of-country Myanmar's civilian president claims resistance controls nearly half the country], 10 May 2022 \| Burmese militant group, claim to be the legitimate government of Myanmar \| Duwa Lashi La \|
File:Flag of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.svg Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army \| 1989 \| Parts of northern Shan State \| Kokang Chinese militant group \| Peng Daxun \|
{{flagicon image\|Karenni people flag.svg}} Karenni IEC \| 2021 \| Parts of Kayah State \| Karenni militant group \| Khun Oo Reh \|
{{flagicon image\|Flag of the Chin National Front.svg}} Chinland \| 2021 \| Parts of northern Chin State{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/jan/24/resistance-myanmar-regime-chin-state-photo-essay \|title=Resistance to the Myanmar regime in Chin state – a photo essay \|date=24 January 2022\|work=The Guardian}} \| Chin militant group (Northern) \| Pu Zing Cung \| Camp Victoria
File:Flag of the Karen National Union.svg Karen National Union \| 1947 \| Parts of Kayin State{{Cite web\|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/karen-villages-03302021170654.html\|title=Six die in Myanmar Air Strikes on Karen Villages Near the Thai Border\|date=30 March 2021 \|access-date=2 May 2021\|archive-date=27 May 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527171804/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/karen-villages-03302021170654.html\|url-status=live}}{{Cite news\|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-karen-idUSKBN2BJ0IZ\|title = Myanmar army launches air strikes in Karen state, group says\|newspaper = Reuters\|date = 27 March 2021\|access-date = 2 May 2021\|archive-date = 11 May 2021\|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210511215155/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-karen-idUSKBN2BJ0IZ\|url-status = live}} \| Karen militant group \| Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win \| Lay Wah
25px Palaung State Liberation Front \| 1992 \| Parts of northern Shan State \| Palaung militant group \| Tar Aik Bong Tar Bone Kyaw \|
{{flagicon image\|Flag of Chin State.svg}} Chin Brotherhood Alliance \| 2023 \| Parts of southern Chin State \| Chin militant group (Southern) \| \|
25px United League of Arakan \| 2009 \| Parts of Rakhine State \| Arkanese militant group \| Twan Mrat Naing \|
{{flagicon image\|Flag of Wa State.svg}} Wa State \| 1989 \| Parts of northern and southern Shan State \| De facto independent state \| Bao Youxiang \|
{{flagicon image\|Flag of the Shan State Army-North.svg}} Shan State Progress Party \| 1971 \| Parts of central Shan State \| Shan militant group \| \|
{{flagicon image\|Shan State Army (South) Flag.svg}} Restoration Council for Shan State \| 1996 \| Parts of southern Shan State \| Shan militant group \| Yawd Serk \|
{{flagicon image\|Flag of the Pa-O National Liberation Army.svg}} Pa-O National Liberation Organization \| 2024 \| Parts of southern Shan State \| Pa-O militant group (Eastern) \| Khun Thurein Khun Kyaw Htin \|
{{flagicon image\|Flag of the Pa-O National Organisation.svg}} Pa-O National Organisation \| 1949 \| Parts of southern Shan State \| Pa-O militant group (Western) \| Aung Kham Hti \|
{{flagicon image\|Flag of the Eastern Shan State Special Region 4 (Myanmar).png}} Peace and Solidarity Committee \| 1989 \| Parts of eastern Shan State \| Shan militant group (Eastern) \| U Sai Leun \|
File:Flag of DKBA.svg Karen National Army \| 2024 \| Near Myawaddy, Kayin State \| Karen militant group (Myawaddy) \| Saw Chit Thu \|
Other small militant groups \| \| \| \| \|
{{SEN}} \| {{flagicon image\|Flag of Casamance.svg}} Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance \| Casamance conflict \| 1982 \| Parts of Casamance[https://trialinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/press-kit-Westwood_EN.pdf WESTWOOD: DEALING IN CONFLICT TIMBER], March 2020 \| \| \|
rowspan="2"\|{{SUD}} \| {{flagicon image\|Flag of SPLM-N.svg}} Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (al-Hilu) \| Sudan–SRF conflict \| 2011 \| Parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile{{cite web\|url=http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/facts-figures/sudan/darfur/armed-groups/opposition/HSBA-Armed-Groups-SRF.pdf\|title=Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF)\|publisher=Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA) for Sudan and South Sudan\|date=4 June 2013\|access-date=1 December 2014\|quote=Corresponding to the SPLM-N's dominant role, the SRF's locus of control resides in its bastion in Kaoda, and the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan. Military activity is most prevalent in South Kordofan but extends to Blue Nile and into South Sudan's border states.}} \| \| Abdelaziz al-Hilu \| Kauda{{Cite web\|url=https://middle-east-online.com/en/sudan%E2%80%99s-pm-visits-rebel-stronghold-peace-mission\|title=Sudan’s PM visits rebel stronghold on peace mission \| MEO\|date=1 September 2020}}
{{flagicon image\|Flag of the Rapid Support Forces (Sudan).png}} Rapid Support Forces \| Sudanese civil war (2023–present) \| 2023 \| Territory across Sudan, mostly in the south and west. \| \| Hemedti \|
rowspan="3"\|{{Flag\|Syria}} \| {{flagicon\|Syria}} Syrian Free Army \| rowspan="3"\|Syrian civil war \| 2016 \| Most of Southern Syria, parts of Damascus{{cite web\|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/02/fears-rise-of-an-isis-comeback/\|title=Fears Rise of an ISIS Comeback\|last1=Seligman\|first1=Lara\|website=ForeignPolicy.com\|publisher=Graham Holdings\|date=2 July 2019\|access-date=19 May 2020\|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/02/16/iran-backed-group-launches-attack-near-small-garrison-in-syria-housing-american-special-operators/\|title=Iran-backed group launches attack near small garrison in Syria housing American special operators\|last1=Snow\|first1=Shawn\|website=MilitaryTimes.com\|publisher=Sightline Media Group\|date=16 February 2020\|access-date=19 May 2020\|df=dmy-all}} \| Opposed to the former Assad regime and aligned with the United States \| \| Al-Tanf
{{flagicon\|Rojava}} Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria \| 2012 \| Territories in the north and east of Syria \| Semi-allied to the Syrian interim government, allied to the United States, and opposed by Turkey and the SNA \| Îlham Ehmed, Mansur Selum \| Ayn Issa
{{flagicon\|Syria}} Syrian National Army \| 2017 \| Border areas of northern Syria{{cite web\|url=https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/11/27/who-are-turkeys-proxy-fighters-in-syria/\|title=Who Are Turkey's Proxy Fighters in Syria?\|last1=Tsurkov\|first1=Elizabeth\|website=NYBooks.com\|publisher=The New York Review of Books\|date=27 November 2019\|access-date=19 May 2020\|df=dmy-all}} \| Opposed to the former Assad regime, allied to the Syrian interim government, opposed to the AANES, and aligned with Turkey \| Anas al-Abdah \| Azaz{{cite web\|url=https://warontherocks.com/2017/10/turkeys-idlib-incursion-and-the-hts-question-understanding-the-long-game-in-syria/\|title=Turkey's Idlib incursion and the HTS question: Understanding the long game in Syria\|last1=Lister\|first1=Charles\|website=WarOnTheRocks.com\|publisher=War on the Rocks\|date=31 October 2017\|access-date=3 November 2017\|df=dmy-all}}
rowspan="2"\|{{YEM}} \| {{nowrap\|{{flagicon image\|Flag of South Yemen.svg}} Southern Movement}} \| rowspan="2"\|Yemeni civil war \| 2017 \| Some of the territory in South Yemen{{cite web\|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/5/16/gcc-aden-based-southern-transitional-council-doomed-to-fail\|author=The New Arab\|publisher=alaraby.co.uk\|title=GCC: Aden-based Southern Transitional Council 'doomed to fail'\|date=16 May 2017 \|access-date=2017-06-08}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/News/2017/5/11/Governor-turned-president-Adens-Al-Zubaidi-announces-council-to-govern-South-Yemen\|author=The New Arab\|publisher=alaraby.co.uk\|title=Banished Aden governor forms independent "South Yemen" council\|date=11 May 2017 \|access-date=2017-06-08}}{{cite web\|url=https://english.aawsat.com/theaawsat/news-middle-east/thirty-southern-figures-reject-transitional-council-aden\|author=Saudi Research & Marketing (uk) Ltd\|publisher=english.aawsat.com\|title=Thirty Southern Figures Reject Transitional Council in Aden – ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English\|access-date=2017-06-08}} \| Maintains a tenuous peace with the Yemeni government \| Aidarus al-Zoubaidi \| Aden
{{flag icon\|Houthis}} Houthi movement \| 2004 \| Most of former North Yemen, including Sana'a, and parts of South Yemen in what has been referred to as Houthi Yemen{{cite news\|first=Ahmed\|last=Al-Haj\|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/06/houthis-yemen-takeover_n_6630070.html \|title=Houthi Rebels Take Over Yemen's Government\|work=Huffington Post\|date=2 June 2015\|access-date=7 February 2015\|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206171011/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/06/houthis-yemen-takeover_n_6630070.html\|archive-date=6 February 2015}} \| Controls the Supreme Political Council,{{cite web\|url=https://en.qantara.de/content/yemen-rebels-form-rival-government\|title=Yemen rebels form rival government\|website=Qantara.de\|publisher=Deutsche Welle\|date=5 October 2016\|access-date=27 March 2021\|df=dmy-all}} unrecognized by the international community \| Mahdi al-Mashat \| Sa'dah

class="wikitable sortable"

Within state

! Rebel group

! Conflict

! Control
since

! Territory controlled

! Notes

! Leader

! Headquarters

| {{nowrap|{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} Al-Qaeda}}

| Islamist insurgency in Burkina Faso
Mali War
Somali Civil War
Yemeni Civil War

| 2006

| {{flagicon|Burkina Faso}} Parts of Burkina Faso[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/18/state-controls-only-60-percent-of-burkina-faso-mediator State controls just 60 percent of Burkina Faso: ECOWAS mediator], 18 June 2022
{{flagicon|Mali}} Parts of central and northern Mali{{cite web|url=https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/276-speaking-with-the-bad-guys.pdf |title=Speaking with the "Bad Guys": Toward Dialogue with Central Mali's Jihadists|quote= While the Malian army controls towns and their immediate vicinity, the jihadists rule the countryside, erecting checkpoints on rural roads and patrolling rivers|date=28 May 2019}}
{{flagicon|Somalia}} Large parts of southern and central Somalia{{cite web |last1=Osman |first1=Jamal |title=Inside Al Shabaab |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/inside-al-shabaab-the-extremist-group-trying-to-seize-somalia |website=Channel4 |date=15 June 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022}}
{{flagicon|Yemen}} Small parts of Abyan Governorate{{cite web |last1=Hussien |first1=Shurki |title=Yemen separatists seize al-Qaeda stronghold in Abyan |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-separatists-seize-al-qaeda-stronghold-in-abyan/2688206}}

| TBD

| Tinzaouaten (Mali){{cite web|url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/pellerin_armed_violence_sahara_2020_okes.pdf|title=Armed violence in the Sahara|first=Mathieu|last=Pellerin|date=November 2019}}
Jilib (Somalia){{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202003270329.html|title=Somalia: Al-Shabaab Leaders Split Over Funds Control|date=27 March 2020|publisher=AllAfrica}}

| {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} Boko Haram

| Boko Haram insurgency

| 2009

| {{flagicon|Nigeria}} Parts of Borno, Kaduna, and Niger States{{Cite web|url=https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/IF10173.pdf|title=Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province}}

| Relocated to Kaduna State after the Battle of Sambisa Forest

| Abu Umaimata

| Chikun{{Cite web|url=https://thestreetjournal.org/dss-boko-haram-relocating-from-sambisa-forest-to-kaduna/|title = DSS: Boko Haram relocating from Sambisa forest to Kaduna|date = 15 September 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.legit.ng/1434385-leaked-memo-terrorists-fleeing-sambisa-forest-kaduna-dss.html|title=Leaked DSS memo shows fleeing Boko Haram terrorists are moving to Kaduna|date=15 September 2021}}

| {{nowrap|{{flag icon|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} Islamic State}}

| Islamist insurgency in Burkina Faso
Mali War
Insurgency in Cabo Delgado
Jihadist insurgency in Niger
Boko Haram insurgency
Somali Civil War

| 2015

| {{flagicon|Burkina Faso}} Parts of Burkina Faso
{{flagicon|Mali}} Several villages in Gao{{cite book |last=Mémier |first=Marc |url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/memier_aqmi_et_al-mourabitoun_fr_2017.compressed.pdf |title=AQMI et Al-Mourabitoun : le djihad sahélien réunifié? |date=January 2017 |series=Études de l’Ifri |publisher=Institut français des relations internationales |isbn=978-2-36567-661-8 |pages=54 |language=fr |access-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312043437/https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/memier_aqmi_et_al-mourabitoun_fr_2017.compressed.pdf |archive-date=12 March 2017 |url-status=live}}
{{flagicon|Mozambique}} Parts of Cabo Delgado{{cite web |date=10 February 2022 |title=Winning Peace in Mozambique's Embattled North |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/southern-africa/mozambique/winning-peace-mozambiques-embattled-north}}
{{flagicon|Niger}} Parts of southern Niger{{Cite web |title=Violent Extremism in the Sahel {{!}} Global Conflict Tracker |url=https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/violent-extremism-sahel |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.cfr.org |language=en}}
{{flagicon|Nigeria}} Parts of Borno State{{Cite web | url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/economics-of-terrorism-in-lake-chad-basin |title = Economics of terrorism in Lake Chad Basin|date = 10 July 2019}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/several-killed-in-fight-between-boko-haram-iswap-members/ | title=Several killed in fight between Boko Haram, ISWAP members| date=20 January 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://humanglemedia.com/iswap-still-controls-vast-areas-of-guzamala-in-northeast/ |title=ISWAP Still Controls Vast Areas of Guzamala In Northeast |first=Abdulkareem |last=Haruna |date=June 30, 2022 |work=HumAngle}}
{{flagicon|Somalia}} Several villages in Bari{{cite web|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/S_2019_858_E.pdf|title=Letter dated 1 November 2019 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia addressed to the President of the Security Council|page=84|date=1 November 2019}}

| Designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2013/sc11019.doc.htm|title=Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Amends Entry|publisher=United Nations|date=30 May 2013|access-date=12 November 2016}}

| Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi

| Unknown

| {{flagicon|Biafra}} Indigenous People of Biafra

| Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria

| 2021

| Parts of the former Republic of Biafra

| Nnamdi Kanu

| Unknown

| {{flagicon|Biafra}} Biafra Nations League

| Bakassi conflict

| 2021

| Bakassi Peninsula

| Princewill Chimezie Richards, Henry Edet

| Bakassi

| {{flagicon|Ambazonia}} Red Dragon

| Anglophone Crisis

| 2019

| Several villages in Lebialem, Southwest Region{{cite web|url=https://actucameroun.com/2020/05/14/cameroun-securite-au-noso-letau-se-resserre-autour-de-field-marshall/|title=Cameroun/Sécurité au NoSo : l'étau se resserre autour de Field Marshall|website=ActuCameroun.com|date=14 May 2020|access-date=16 May 2020|df=dmy-all}}

| Loyal to the Interim Government of Ambazonia

| Lekeaka Oliver

| Unknown

| Coalition of Patriots for Change

| Central African Republic Civil War

| 2020

| Parts of Central African Republic

| Coalition of multiple groups including Anti-balaka, 3R, and MPC

| François Bozizé{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/19/armed-rebel-groups-in-c-africa-form-coalition|title=CAR says ex-president attempting 'coup' as rebels form coalition|date=19 December 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55376322|title=François Bozizé: CAR accuses former president of 'attempted coup'|publisher=BBC|website=BBC.co.uk/News|date=19 December 2020|access-date=20 December 2020|df=dmy-all}}

| N'Djamena, Chad[https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20211106-françois-bozizé-et-d-autres-chefs-rebelles-centrafricains-se-trouvent-à-ndjamena François Bozizé et d'autres chefs rebelles centrafricains se trouvent à Ndjamena], 7 November 2021

rowspan="3"|{{COD}}

| Mai-Mai

| rowspan="3"|Kivu conflict

| 2003

| Parts of northeastern DRC[http://missoulian.com/news/world/africa/congo-army-un-take-on-rebel-group-in-northeast/article_f61f405b-d005-58c9-8dd4-7b72ef7c8659.html]{{dead link|date=March 2016}}

| Various groups

| Various leaders

| Depending on group

March 23 Movement

| 2012

| Parts of North Kivu province{{cite news |title=Congo military accuses Rwanda of invasion; rebels seize town |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/m23-rebels-in-eastern-congo-seize-town-near-uganda-border/2022/06/13/3f38b9da-eb33-11ec-9f90-79df1fb28296_story.html |author1=Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro |author2=Justin Kabumba |newspaper=Washington Post |date=13 June 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022}}

| Bertrand Bisimwa

{{flagicon image|NDCRflag.svg}} Nduma Defense of Congo-Renouveau

| 2015

| Parts of North Kivu province{{cite web|url=https://www.chronicles.rw/2020/05/15/ndc-r-congos-contract-militia-which-killed-fdlrs-gen-sylvestre-mudacumura/|title=NDC-R: Congo's Contract Militia Which "Killed" FDLR's Gen Sylvestre Mudacumura|date=15 May 2020}}

| Shimiray Mwissa Guidon

| Pinga

| {{flagicon image|People_s_liberation_guerrilla_army_naxals_flag_by_santiagosoto-d8t7wuz-800x445.jpg}} People's Liberation Guerrilla Army

|Naxalite–Maoist insurgency

|2000s

|Red corridorhttps://study.com/academy/lesson/naxalite-maoist-insurgency-history-leaders.html {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}

|Ganapathy

| {{flag|Azawad}}

| Mali War

| 2012

| Parts of northern Mali{{cite news|url=https://north-africa.com/2020/02/mali-government-seeks-to-assert-control-over-restive-north-to-send-troops-to-kidal/|title=Mali government seeks to assert control over restive north, to send troops to Kidal|date=7 February 2020}}

| Bilal Ag Acherif

| Kidal{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/photos/tuareg-soldier-guards-azawad-movements-headquarters-kidal-northern-photo-002916534.html|title=A Tuareg soldier guards the Azawad Movement's headquarters in Kidal, northern Mali|date=5 June 2015|work=Yahoo News}}

| {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Ethiopia_(Blank).svg}} Fano

| War in Amhara

| 2023

| Parts of the Amhara Region{{cite web |title=Ethiopia's Ominous New War in Amhara |date=16 November 2023 |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/ethiopia/b194-ethiopias-ominous-new-war-amhara}}

| Zemene Kassie

rowspan="17"|{{MMR}}

| File:Kachin Independence Army flag.svg Kachin Independence Organization

| rowspan="17" | Myanmar conflict
Myanmar civil war

| 1960s

| Parts of Kachin State{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-21107440|title=Burma attack breaks Kachin truce near China border|publisher=BBC|date=20 January 2013|access-date=18 August 2014|quote=The rebels are seeking greater autonomy within Burma for ethnic Kachins who have had de facto control over a part of northern Burma for more than 50 years.}}

| Kachin militant group

| N'Ban La

| Laiza

File:Flag of PDF Myanmar.svg People's Defence Force

| 2021

| Parts of Sagaing Region[https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-interview/20220510-myanmar-s-civilian-president-claims-resistance-controls-nearly-half-of-country Myanmar's civilian president claims resistance controls nearly half the country], 10 May 2022

| Burmese militant group, claim to be the legitimate government of Myanmar

| Duwa Lashi La

File:Flag of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.svg Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army

| 1989

| Parts of northern Shan State

| Kokang Chinese militant group

| Peng Daxun

{{flagicon image|Karenni people flag.svg}} Karenni IEC

| 2021

| Parts of Kayah State

| Karenni militant group

| Khun Oo Reh

{{flagicon image|Flag of the Chin National Front.svg}} Chinland

| 2021

| Parts of northern Chin State{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/jan/24/resistance-myanmar-regime-chin-state-photo-essay |title=Resistance to the Myanmar regime in Chin state – a photo essay |date=24 January 2022|work=The Guardian}}

| Chin militant group (Northern)

| Pu Zing Cung

| Camp Victoria

File:Flag of the Karen National Union.svg Karen National Union

| 1947

| Parts of Kayin State{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/karen-villages-03302021170654.html|title=Six die in Myanmar Air Strikes on Karen Villages Near the Thai Border|date=30 March 2021 |access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527171804/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/karen-villages-03302021170654.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-karen-idUSKBN2BJ0IZ|title = Myanmar army launches air strikes in Karen state, group says|newspaper = Reuters|date = 27 March 2021|access-date = 2 May 2021|archive-date = 11 May 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210511215155/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-karen-idUSKBN2BJ0IZ|url-status = live}}

| Karen militant group

| Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win

| Lay Wah

25px Palaung State Liberation Front

| 1992

| Parts of northern Shan State

| Palaung militant group

| Tar Aik Bong
Tar Bone Kyaw

{{flagicon image|Flag of Chin State.svg}} Chin Brotherhood Alliance

| 2023

| Parts of southern Chin State

| Chin militant group (Southern)

25px United League of Arakan

| 2009

| Parts of Rakhine State

| Arkanese militant group

| Twan Mrat Naing

{{flagicon image|Flag of Wa State.svg}} Wa State

| 1989

| Parts of northern and southern Shan State

| De facto independent state

| Bao Youxiang

{{flagicon image|Flag of the Shan State Army-North.svg}} Shan State Progress Party

| 1971

| Parts of central Shan State

| Shan militant group

{{flagicon image|Shan State Army (South) Flag.svg}} Restoration Council for Shan State

| 1996

| Parts of southern Shan State

| Shan militant group

| Yawd Serk

{{flagicon image|Flag of the Pa-O National Liberation Army.svg}} Pa-O National Liberation Organization

| 2024

| Parts of southern Shan State

| Pa-O militant group (Eastern)

| Khun Thurein
Khun Kyaw Htin

{{flagicon image|Flag of the Pa-O National Organisation.svg}} Pa-O National Organisation

| 1949

| Parts of southern Shan State

| Pa-O militant group (Western)

| Aung Kham Hti

{{flagicon image|Flag of the Eastern Shan State Special Region 4 (Myanmar).png}} Peace and Solidarity Committee

| 1989

| Parts of eastern Shan State

| Shan militant group (Eastern)

| U Sai Leun

File:Flag of DKBA.svg Karen National Army

| 2024

| Near Myawaddy, Kayin State

| Karen militant group (Myawaddy)

| Saw Chit Thu

Other small militant groups

| {{flagicon image|Flag of Casamance.svg}} Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance

| Casamance conflict

| 1982

| Parts of Casamance[https://trialinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/press-kit-Westwood_EN.pdf WESTWOOD: DEALING IN CONFLICT TIMBER], March 2020

rowspan="2"|{{SUD}}

| {{flagicon image|Flag of SPLM-N.svg}} Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (al-Hilu)

| Sudan–SRF conflict

| 2011

| Parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile{{cite web|url=http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/facts-figures/sudan/darfur/armed-groups/opposition/HSBA-Armed-Groups-SRF.pdf|title=Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF)|publisher=Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA) for Sudan and South Sudan|date=4 June 2013|access-date=1 December 2014|quote=Corresponding to the SPLM-N's dominant role, the SRF's locus of control resides in its bastion in Kaoda, and the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan. Military activity is most prevalent in South Kordofan but extends to Blue Nile and into South Sudan's border states.}}

| Abdelaziz al-Hilu

| Kauda{{Cite web|url=https://middle-east-online.com/en/sudan%E2%80%99s-pm-visits-rebel-stronghold-peace-mission|title=Sudan’s PM visits rebel stronghold on peace mission | MEO|date=1 September 2020}}

{{flagicon image|Flag of the Rapid Support Forces (Sudan).png}} Rapid Support Forces

| Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

| 2023

| Territory across Sudan, mostly in the south and west.

| Hemedti

rowspan="3"|{{Flag|Syria}}

| {{flagicon|Syria}} Syrian Free Army

| rowspan="3"|Syrian civil war

| 2016

| Most of Southern Syria, parts of Damascus{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/02/fears-rise-of-an-isis-comeback/|title=Fears Rise of an ISIS Comeback|last1=Seligman|first1=Lara|website=ForeignPolicy.com|publisher=Graham Holdings|date=2 July 2019|access-date=19 May 2020|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/02/16/iran-backed-group-launches-attack-near-small-garrison-in-syria-housing-american-special-operators/|title=Iran-backed group launches attack near small garrison in Syria housing American special operators|last1=Snow|first1=Shawn|website=MilitaryTimes.com|publisher=Sightline Media Group|date=16 February 2020|access-date=19 May 2020|df=dmy-all}}

| Opposed to the former Assad regime and aligned with the United States

| Al-Tanf

{{flagicon|Rojava}} Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria

| 2012

| Territories in the north and east of Syria

| Semi-allied to the Syrian interim government, allied to the United States, and opposed by Turkey and the SNA

| Îlham Ehmed, Mansur Selum

| Ayn Issa

{{flagicon|Syria}} Syrian National Army

| 2017

| Border areas of northern Syria{{cite web|url=https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/11/27/who-are-turkeys-proxy-fighters-in-syria/|title=Who Are Turkey's Proxy Fighters in Syria?|last1=Tsurkov|first1=Elizabeth|website=NYBooks.com|publisher=The New York Review of Books|date=27 November 2019|access-date=19 May 2020|df=dmy-all}}

| Opposed to the former Assad regime, allied to the Syrian interim government, opposed to the AANES, and aligned with Turkey

| Anas al-Abdah

| Azaz{{cite web|url=https://warontherocks.com/2017/10/turkeys-idlib-incursion-and-the-hts-question-understanding-the-long-game-in-syria/|title=Turkey's Idlib incursion and the HTS question: Understanding the long game in Syria|last1=Lister|first1=Charles|website=WarOnTheRocks.com|publisher=War on the Rocks|date=31 October 2017|access-date=3 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}

rowspan="2"|{{YEM}}

| {{nowrap|{{flagicon image|Flag of South Yemen.svg}} Southern Movement}}

| rowspan="2"|Yemeni civil war

| 2017

| Some of the territory in South Yemen{{cite web|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/5/16/gcc-aden-based-southern-transitional-council-doomed-to-fail|author=The New Arab|publisher=alaraby.co.uk|title=GCC: Aden-based Southern Transitional Council 'doomed to fail'|date=16 May 2017 |access-date=2017-06-08}}{{cite web|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/News/2017/5/11/Governor-turned-president-Adens-Al-Zubaidi-announces-council-to-govern-South-Yemen|author=The New Arab|publisher=alaraby.co.uk|title=Banished Aden governor forms independent "South Yemen" council|date=11 May 2017 |access-date=2017-06-08}}{{cite web|url=https://english.aawsat.com/theaawsat/news-middle-east/thirty-southern-figures-reject-transitional-council-aden|author=Saudi Research & Marketing (uk) Ltd|publisher=english.aawsat.com|title=Thirty Southern Figures Reject Transitional Council in Aden – ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English|access-date=2017-06-08}}

| Maintains a tenuous peace with the Yemeni government

| Aidarus al-Zoubaidi

| Aden

{{flag icon|Houthis}} Houthi movement

| 2004

| Most of former North Yemen, including Sana'a, and parts of South Yemen in what has been referred to as Houthi Yemen{{cite news|first=Ahmed|last=Al-Haj|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/06/houthis-yemen-takeover_n_6630070.html |title=Houthi Rebels Take Over Yemen's Government|work=Huffington Post|date=2 June 2015|access-date=7 February 2015|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206171011/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/06/houthis-yemen-takeover_n_6630070.html|archive-date=6 February 2015}}

| Controls the Supreme Political Council,{{cite web|url=https://en.qantara.de/content/yemen-rebels-form-rival-government|title=Yemen rebels form rival government|website=Qantara.de|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=5 October 2016|access-date=27 March 2021|df=dmy-all}} unrecognized by the international community

| Mahdi al-Mashat

| Sa'dah

References

Category:Rebel groups by country

List of rebel groups that control territory

See also

References