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 either directly administered by the group or under its military control. 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.

Within state Rebel group Conflict Controlsince Territory controlled Notes Leader Headquarters 2006 Affiliate of Al-Qaeda Iyad Ag Ghaly Tinzaouaten (Mali) Al-Shabaab (Islamic Wilayat of Somalia) Somali Civil War 2008 Large parts of southern and central Somalia Affiliate of Al-Qaeda since 2012 Ahmed Diriye Jilib (Somalia) Hamas (Administration in Gaza) Fatah–Hamas conflict 2007 Parts of the Gaza Strip Khalil al-Hayya Gaza City Popular Forces (Administration in Gaza) Popular Forces–Hamas conflict 2024 Eastern Rafah Governorate and parts of Khan Yunis Opposed to Hamas, backed by Israel Ghassan Duhine Al-Bayuk Boko Haram (territory)Boko Haram insurgency Nigerian bandit conflict 2009 Parts of Borno and Kaduna States Abu Umaimata Chikun Ansaru 2012 Parts of Northwest NigeriaNigerian bandit conflict Split from Boko Haram in 2012 Abu Jafa'ar Unknown 2015 Parts of North Kivu and Ituri provincesJihadists attack a Chinese-owned gold mine along the Ituri river. April 21, 2026ISCAP expands attacks in the DRC, claims killing six congolese soldiers May 5, 2026ISCAP seizes territory during Kivu power vacuum caused by M23 rebels 18 June 2025 Designated a terrorist organization by the UN Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi Unknown Indigenous People of Biafra Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria 2021 Parts of the former Republic of Biafra The ESN is the IPOB's armed wing. Nnamdi Kanu Nkwerre (alleged) Ambazonia Anglophone Crisis 2017 Parts of Northwest Region (Cameroon) and Southwest Region (Cameroon)Ambazonian rebel factions escalate attacks 4 October 2018Ambazonian rebels escalate the guerilla campaign April 2, 2024 Various factions and militant groups 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 N'Djamena, ChadFrançois Bozizé et d'autres chefs rebelles centrafricains se trouvent à Ndjamena, 7 November 2021 Azawad Liberation FrontMali 2026 offensive and FLA insurgency April 28, 2026 (Territory) Mali War 2024 Large parts of northern MaliAttacks in Mali and FLA expansion 26 April 2026 Alghabass Ag Intalla Kidal Mai-MaiKivu conflict 2003 Parts of northeastern DRC Various groups Various leaders Depends on groupMarch 23 Movement 2012 Parts of North Kivu and South Kivu Bertrand Bisimwa Unknown Nduma Defense of Congo-Renouveau 2015 Parts of North Kivu Shimiray Mwissa Guidon Pinga Zaïre-FPAC2020Ituri ProvinceZawadi Vajeru Unknown CNPSC2017South Kivu and ManiemaWilliam Yakutumba UnknownCODECO1999Ituri ProvinceAli Ngadjole NgabuDjugu territoryMobondoWestern DR Congo clashes2022Western DRCOdon Nkimona KumbuKwamouth Fano Fano insurgency 2023 Parts of the Amhara Region Major Fano factions merged into Amhara Fano National Movement in 2026 Zemene Kassie Unknown Libyan National Army Libyan crisis 2014 Most of eastern Libya Nominally loyal to the Government of National Stability Khalifa Haftar Tobruk Kachin Independence Army 1960s Parts of Kachin State Armed wing of Kachin Independence Organisation N'Ban La Laiza People's Defence Force 2021 Parts of Sagaing RegionMyanmar's civilian president claims resistance controls nearly half the country, 10 May 2022 Armed wing of National Unity Government Duwa Lashi La Unknown MNDAA 1989 Parts of northern Shan State Armed wing of Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party Peng Daxun Laukkai Karenni IEC 2021 Parts of Kayah State Khun Oo Reh Unknown Chinland Parts of northern Chin State Pu Zing Cung Camp Victoria Karen National Liberation Army Karen National Defence Organisation 1947/1949 Parts of Kayin State Armed wings of Karen National Union Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win Lay Wah Ta'ang National Liberation Army 1992 Parts of northern Shan State Armed wing of Palaung State Liberation Front Namhsan Chin Brotherhood 2023 Parts of southern Chin State Unknown Arakan Army 2009 Most of Rakhine State Armed wing of United League of Arakan Twan Mrat Naing Unknown Wa State 1989 Parts of northern and southern Shan State De facto independent state Bao Youxiang Pangkham Shan State Progress Party 1971 Parts of central Shan State Wan Hai, Kehsi Township Shan State Army (RCSS) 1996 Parts of southern Shan State Armed wing of Restoration Council of Shan State Yawd Serk Loi Tai Leng Pa-O National Liberation Organisation 2024 Parts of southeastern Shan State Camp Laybwer, Mawkmai Township Pa-O National Army 1949 Parts of southwestern Shan State Armed wing of Pa-O National Organisation Aung Kham Hti Hopong National Democratic Alliance Army 1989 Parts of eastern Shan State Armed wing of Peace and Solidarity Committee Mong La Karen National Army 2024 Near Myawaddy, Kayin State Saw Chit Thu Shwe Kokko Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance Casamance conflict 1982 Parts of CasamanceWESTWOOD: DEALING IN CONFLICT TIMBER, March 2020 Unknown SPLM–N (New Sudan) Sudanese civil war 2023 Parts of southern Sudan Abdelaziz al-Hilu Kauda Rapid Support Forces (Government of Peace and Unity) 2023 Southern and western Sudan Hemedti Nyala, Sudan Administrative Council of Jabal BashanAftermath of the Syrian civil war2025 Most of Suwayda GovernorateHikmat al-HijriSuwayda Houthis Yemeni civil war 2004 Houthi-controlled Yemen: most of former North Yemen, parts of South Yemen Controls the SPC Mahdi al-Mashat Sa'dah AQAP 2009 Parts of Shabwah and Abyan governorates Affiliate of Al-Qaeda Sa'ad bin Atef al-Awlaki Unknown

See also List of active rebel groups List of guerrilla movements List of designated terrorist groups List of Islamist quasi-states and rival governments List of ongoing armed conflicts Lists of active separatist movements Violent non-state actor Sovereign state Rival government Quasi-state Parallel state

References