Raid, also known as
depredation, is a
military tactic or
operational warfare mission which has a specific purpose and is not normally intended to capture and hold terrain, but instead finish with the raiding force quickly retreating to a previous defended position prior to enemy forces being able to respond in a co-ordinated manner or formulate a counter-attack. A raiding group may consist of
combatants specially trained in this tactic, such as
commandos, or as a special mission assigned to any
general troops. Raids are often a standard tactic in
irregular warfare, employed by
warriors,
guerrilla fighters, or other
irregular military forces.