International records / UN Digital Library

Hybrid conflict, hybrid peace: how militias and paramilitary groups shape post-conflict transitions / [by] Adam Day, Felbab-Brown Vanda and Fanar Haddad

Today's civil wars are becoming more frequent, more harmful to civilians and harder to resolve. Why are sustainable peace outcomes proving more elusive? One contributing factor to these trends may be the increasing use of pro-government militias (PGMs) in armed conflict. Auxiliary forces have played crucial roles in helping governments win back territory, weaken rebel forces or consolidate battlefield strength. They are a quick and cheap means of mobilizing force and may offer unique local knowledge and intelligence, building greater traction among contested communities or constituencies. In s…