Understanding Fedayeen: The Armed Groups of the Middle East and North Africa

Fedayee (Arabic: فدايي, plural: فدائيون) is a term used in the Middle East and North Africa to refer to a group of armed men who are loyal to a particular political or ideological cause and are willing to fight and die for it. The word is derived from the Arabic words "fedayah" (meaning "committee" or "group") and "fiyah" (meaning "fire").

In general, fedayeen are groups of militants who are committed to achieving a specific political or ideological goal through armed struggle. They may be affiliated with a particular political party, movement, or religious group, and they may be willing to use violence against civilians and military targets in order to achieve their objectives.

The term "fedayee" has been used to describe a wide range of groups throughout the Middle East and North Africa, including Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS). It is important to note that not all groups that use the term "fedayee" are necessarily extremist or violent, but the term is often associated with radical or militant ideologies.