Why are they called insurgents rather than terrorists? Have people confused the two?

Question

and secondly, are they fighting to the death for what they believe in, or are they sitting in dark corners ringing their hands and laughing evilly?

Answer 1

Insurgents are those fighting against an occupying power who has invaded their homeland.

Terrorists are those who attack others, usually civilians, to cause fear, terror, chaos and disruption.

One has nothing to do with the other, though it is possible for someone to be both. Most of the people in Iraq attacking US forces are insurgents, not terrorists.

Answer 2

Terrorists target innocent civilians - their major tactic is terror - the so-called insurgents are nothing more than terrorists when they bomb religious ceremonies, shopping centers and pretty much any civilian gathering.
These tactics are hardly the actions of patriots who are fighting to preserve their country.
We must remember that these Islamic radicals are not fighting for their country's freedom - they are literally fighting against it in order to initiate their own government of Islamic Sharia law. Theirs is an ideology of hatred and domination - hardly admirable objectives.
If the majority of attacks were against American troops, perhaps "insurgent" might apply - but this is presently not the case in Iraq.
These are terrorists - any other term is simply a euphemism.

Answer 3

Granted--its a confusing situation. But for the most part, the various factions are insurgents--they are trying to secure power (for their faction) as well as to try and get the US to leave (although they spend more time fighting each other than our troops).

The terrorists who have joined them are essential adjuncts in this situation--but the various insurgent groups accept them, either out of conviction or out of convenience, taking whatever help they can get.

Note, however--the only terrorists in Iraq are "foot soldiers." The terrorist organizations that are the real danger--al-Qaida, Hezbolla, Hamas--are being all but given a free pass. al-Qaida has sanctuary in Pakistan (our fine "ally) and along with the Taliban, is being allowed to regain control in Afghanistan. Hezbollah is all but in control of Lebanon (and after the Israeli screw-up ladt year, enormously popular with the people). hamas is running Palestine.

Yep, Bush has really done a great job of combating terrorism, hasn't he?

Answer 4

They are called insurgents because most of them are not from Iraqi but others country's. No they are sitll terroists, just a newere name. Most don't believe in what they do, but when you come from a poor country and have no life, no food for you family and the insurgents will tell you that they will look after your family if you do this for us...wouldn't you take the chance?

Answer 5

Combine crabby and LeAnne and take out the contradictory remarks and you will have the correct answer. No sense in me typing it in.