Guerrilla warfare Guerrilla warfare , also known as guerrilla tactics , is a form of irregular warfare where a small group fights off a larger force via unconventional tactics . Strategies falling under guerrilla warfare include ambushes , sabotage , raids , and hit - and - run tactics . In extreme cases , guerrilla warfare can even utilize borderline terroristic measures such as holding hostages . Largely because of the fact that guerrilla warfare was technically not part of the standards of warfare , it was generally used by terrorist groups , revolutionaries , outlaws , or people who have been pushed to their limit . There are some downsides to guerrilla warfare , however : in some cases , the army ' s manpower and defenses are significantly large and expansive enough that guerrilla warfare is useless in dislodging them . In addition , if guerrilla warfare lasts long enough , the larger force will eventually become privy to their efforts and rout the guerrillas out . In some cases , guerrillas are also aided in their endeavors by a larger force opposite that of the force the guerrillas are fighting against , either directly or indirectly . Those who practiced such tactics were generally called guerrillas or guerillas . Usage . The earliest known instance of guerrilla warfare was during the Kanz Disorders , where the native Lorrdians utilized kinetic communication to coordinate such tactics against the Argazdan Redoubt . Another example of guerrilla warfare was demonstrated during the Battle of Bomodon during the Great Galactic War , conducted by the platoon of Lieutenant Elin Garza of the Republic ' s 45th Infantry Division , to drive off Sith influence from Bomodon . It was later practiced to great effect by the Balmorran resistance during the Battle of Balmorra during the Cold War , with the Republic giving indirect help to the resistance due to the statues of the Treaty of Coruscant barring them from officially participating in the battle . In the Chommell system , pirates utilized guerrilla warfare on a Republic convoy , which eventually resulted in the pirates doom when the Republic traced their bases from the repeated raids . In addition , more radical Evocii tried to wage guerrilla warfare against the Hutts and whoever happened to be in their way . Alderaan , specifically House of Organa during this time also had a research camp dedicated to guerrilla techniques located in the Kaamos Territory atop Resistance Ridge . During the Hilts Restoration , the infamous anarchist Parlan Spinner ( better known as Death Spinner ) proceeded to conduct various guerrilla acts against the authorities on Kesh . Another notable example of guerrilla warfare being utilized was during the Tarasin Revolt from 161 BBY to 154 BBY , as well as The Uprisings , a case of spontaneous guerrilla warfare on the planet Ord Cestus instigated by the terrorist group Desert Wind that lasted from 121 BBY to 26 BBY . The Palarian s also utilized guerrilla warfare against the Corporate Sector Authority on Pal Goral . Even though Naboo was a peaceful planet , the head of the Royal Naboo Security Forces , Captain Quarsh Panaka , had some knowledge of guerrilla warfare , and taught Pars Varqom the concept prior to the Trade Federation ' s invasion of the planet in 32 BBY . This ultimately allowed Varqom to form a resistance against the Trade Federation and fight them off until Queen Amidala returned to the planet . During the Separatist Crisis , five guerrilla members of a radical splinter group of the Gotal Assembly for Separation , the Roshu Sune , after fleeing the Battle of Antar 4 , proceeded to take over a commuter hopper on Atzerri and took hostages . The Jedi ultimately quelled the terrorist action , although the deaths caused by their attempt , combined with the earlier disaster during the Battle of Antar 4 , resulted in anti - Jedi sentiment as well as anti - Republic sentiment to further increase . During the Clone Wars , the Republic proceeded to aid and train various guerrilla groups via the Jedi , including the rebels on Onderon and Haruun Kal . However , the Jedi ' s involvement has a high risk of the Jedi turning to the dark side , as evidenced by what occurred to Mace Windu ' s former apprentice , Depa Billaba , during the latter event . In the former event , Obi - Wan Kenobi agreed to help train the Onderon rebels in their fight against Sanjay Rash , but made clear that they won ' t fight their war for them . The Onderon rebels being trained by the Republic would later come back to haunt their successors , the Galactic Empire , later on when they became vital members of the Rebel Alliance . After the Republic was reorganized into the Empire , Separatist holdouts during the Noolian Crisis attempted to use guerrilla warfare against the Empire . In addition , Rahm Kota ( who survived Order 66 due to distrusting clones ) and his militia frequently staged guerrilla tactics against the Empire , eventually culminating in their capturing a TIE Fighter construction facility . Guerrilla warfare would play a large role in the Galactic Civil War by the Rebel Alliance , with their Sector Force division of the Alliance Special Forces frequently engaging in guerrilla conflicts , having specific variants of guerrilla fighters for various battlefields ( such as Urban Guerrillas ) , and their also inspiring several other groups fighting against the Empire to utilize guerrilla warfare against them . Their use of guerrilla warfare was largely because they can ' t actually defeat the Empire in a straight up fight , as unlike the Empire , their total forces cannot organize on the regiment level . However , General Carlist Rieekan admitted that even their guerrilla efforts are useless against systems that have a systems army present . The most notable use of guerrilla warfare was the Ewoks during the Battle of Endor , although the Empire eventually coordinated their efforts to routing the Ewoks out until Chewbacca hijacked an AT - ST . Aside from the Rebels , other groups such as the Nagai during the Nagai – Tof War at the Firefist companion galaxy as well as the Taloron Hunters against various invading pirate groups during the Taloron Pirate Conflict . Later in the war , even the Imperials utilized guerrilla warfare , including Admiral Daala during the Daala campaign , Imperial forces on Brolsam , and Ivan Cronus . The New Republic , the Rebels successor government , proceeded to utilize guerrilla tactics to a lesser extent . During the Yuuzhan Vong War , the Rodians utilized guerrilla warfare against Tsavong Lah . In addition , the New Republic ' s usage of guerrilla warfare during its time and especially during its time as the Rebel Alliance was referenced in the naming and planning of Operation Emperor ' s Hammer during the second siege of Borleias . Admiral Gar Stazi , after escaping the Battle of Caamas during the Sith – Imperial War , frequently utilized guerrilla warfare during the Second Imperial Civil War . Similarly , after the Fel Empire became the Empire in Exile during the same time , Roan Fel also utilized guerrilla warfare against Darth Krayt ' s Imperial forces . Behind the scenes . Guerrilla warfare played a major role in the " Star Wars " franchise , in particular the Original Trilogy and " The Phantom Menace " . This was largely because of the overall franchise being influenced by the Vietnam War , and in particular the exploits of the South Vietnamese Nationalistic / Communist group the Viet Cong .