# 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.
| Within state | Rebel group | Conflict | Control since | Territory controlled | Notes | Leader | Headquarters |
| Burkina Faso Mali Somalia Yemen | Al-Qaeda | Islamist insurgency in Burkina Faso Mali War Somali Civil War Yemeni Civil War | 2006 | Parts of Burkina Faso Parts of central and northern Mali Large parts of southern and central Somalia Small parts of Abyan Governorate | | TBD | Tinzaouaten (Mali) Jilib (Somalia) |
| Nigeria | Boko Haram | Boko Haram insurgency | 2009 | Parts of Borno, Kaduna, and Niger States | Relocated to Kaduna State after the Battle of Sambisa Forest | Abu Umaimata | Chikun |
| Burkina Faso Mali Mozambique Niger Nigeria Somalia | Islamic State | Islamist insurgency in Burkina Faso Mali War Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Jihadist insurgency in Niger Boko Haram insurgency Somali Civil War | 2015 | Parts of Burkina Faso Several villages in Gao Parts of Cabo Delgado Parts of southern Niger Parts of Borno State Several villages in Bari | Designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations | Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi | Unknown |
| Nigeria | Indigenous People of Biafra | Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria | 2021 | Parts of the former Republic of Biafra | | Nnamdi Kanu | Unknown |
| Cameroon | Biafra Nations League | Bakassi conflict | 2021 | Bakassi Peninsula | | Princewill Chimezie Richards, Henry Edet | Bakassi |
| Cameroon | Red Dragon | Anglophone Crisis | 2019 | Several villages in Lebialem, Southwest Region | Loyal to the Interim Government of Ambazonia | Lekeaka Oliver | Unknown |
| Central African Republic | 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, Chad |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Mai-Mai | Kivu conflict | 2003 | Parts of northeastern DRC | Various groups | Various leaders | Depending on group |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | March 23 Movement | Kivu conflict | 2012 | Parts of North Kivu province | | Bertrand Bisimwa | |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Nduma Defense of Congo-Renouveau | Kivu conflict | 2015 | Parts of North Kivu province | | Shimiray Mwissa Guidon | Pinga |
| Mali | Azawad | Mali War | 2012 | Parts of northern Mali | | Bilal Ag Acherif | Kidal |
| Ethiopia | Fano | War in Amhara | 2023 | Parts of the Amhara Region | | Zemene Kassie | |
| Myanmar | Kachin Independence Organization | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1960s | Parts of Kachin State | Kachin militant group | N'Ban La | Laiza |
| Myanmar | National Unity Government | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 2021 | Parts of Sagaing Region | Burmese militant group, claim to be the legitimate government of Myanmar | Duwa Lashi La | |
| Myanmar | Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1989 | Parts of northern Shan State | Kokang Chinese militant group | Peng Daxun | |
| Myanmar | Karenni IEC | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 2021 | Parts of Kayah State | Karenni militant group | Khun Oo Reh | |
| Myanmar | Chinland | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 2021 | Parts of northern Chin State | Chin militant group (Northern) | Pu Zing Cung | Camp Victoria |
| Myanmar | Karen National Union | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1947 | Parts of Kayin State | Karen militant group | Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win | Lay Wah |
| Myanmar | Palaung State Liberation Front | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1992 | Parts of northern Shan State | Palaung militant group | Tar Aik Bong Tar Bone Kyaw | |
| Myanmar | Chin Brotherhood Alliance | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 2023 | Parts of southern Chin State | Chin militant group (Southern) | | |
| Myanmar | United League of Arakan | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 2009 | Parts of Rakhine State | Arkanese militant group | Twan Mrat Naing | |
| Myanmar | Wa State | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1989 | Parts of northern and southern Shan State | De facto independent state | Bao Youxiang | |
| Myanmar | Shan State Progress Party | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1971 | Parts of central Shan State | Shan militant group | | |
| Myanmar | Restoration Council for Shan State | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1996 | Parts of southern Shan State | Shan militant group | Yawd Serk | |
| Myanmar | Pa-O National Liberation Organization | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 2024 | Parts of southern Shan State | Pa-O militant group (Eastern) | Khun Thurein Khun Kyaw Htin | |
| Myanmar | Pa-O National Organisation | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1949 | Parts of southern Shan State | Pa-O militant group (Western) | Aung Kham Hti | |
| Myanmar | Peace and Solidarity Committee | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 1989 | Parts of eastern Shan State | Shan militant group (Eastern) | U Sai Leun | |
| Myanmar | Karen National Army | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | 2024 | Near Myawaddy, Kayin State | Karen militant group (Myawaddy) | Saw Chit Thu | |
| Myanmar | Other small militant groups | Myanmar conflict Myanmar civil war | | | | | |
| Senegal | Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance | Casamance conflict | 1982 | Parts of Casamance | | | |
| Sudan | Sudan Revolutionary Front | Sudan–SRF conflict | 2011 | Parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile | | Abdelaziz al-Hilu | Kauda |
| Sudan | Rapid Support Forces | Sudanese civil war (2023–present) | 2023 | Territory across Sudan, mostly in the south and west. | | Hemedti | |
| Syria | Maghaweir al-Thowra | Syrian civil war | 2016 | Most of Southern Syria, parts of Damascus | Opposed to the former Assad regime and aligned with the United States | | Al-Tanf |
| Syria | Rojava | Syrian civil war | 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 | Qamishli |
| Syria | Syrian National Army | Syrian civil war | 2017 | Border areas of northern Syria | Opposed to the former Assad regime, allied to the Syrian interim government, opposed to the AANES, and aligned with Turkey | Anas al-Abdah | Azaz |
| Yemen | Southern Movement | Yemeni civil war | 2017 | Some of the territory in South Yemen | Maintains a tenuous peace with the Yemeni government | Aidarus al-Zoubaidi | Aden |
| Yemen | Houthi movement | Yemeni civil war | 2004 | Most of former North Yemen, including Sana'a, and parts of South Yemen | Controls the Supreme Political Council, unrecognized by the international community | Mahdi al-Mashat | Sa'dah |