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Combat, or fighting, is purposeful violent conflict between two or more persons or organizations, often intended to establish dominance over the opposition. The term "combat" typically refers to armed conflict between military forces in warfare, whereas the more general term "fighting" can refer to any violent conflict, including boxing and wrestling matches. Combat violence can be unilateral, whereas fighting implies at least a defensive reaction. However, the terms are often used synonymously.

Combat may take place under a certain set of rules or be unregulated. Examples of rules include the Geneva Convention (covering the treatment of soldiers in war), medieval Chivalry (the code of many knightly orders including the Knights of the Round Table of Arthurian legend), and the Marquess of Queensberry rules (covering boxing).

Combat in warfare involves two or more opposing military organizations, usually fighting for nations at war (although guerrilla warfare and suppression of insurgencies can fall outside this definition). Warfare falls under the laws of war, which govern its purposes and conduct, and protect the rights of soldiers and non-combatants.

Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed. Hand-to-hand (mêlée) combat is combat at very close range, touching the opponent with the body (striking, kicking, strangling, etc.) and/or with a mêlée weapon (knives, swords, batons, etc.), as opposed to firing or throwing a projectile.

Hand-to-hand combat can be further divided into three sections depending on the distance and positioning of the combatants:

• Stand-up fighting
• Clinch fighting
• Ground fighting

See also

• Assault
• Battle
• Duel
• Hand to hand combat
• Martial arts
• On Combat
• War
• Weapon

• Violence
• Military conflicts