Are Al Queda terrorists or a military using a tactic we aren't used to

Question

I am asking because I read that the tactics terrorists use are old military strategies in the Middle East...eye for an eye, human lives as bargaining chips and group punishments (All members of a society are a legit target, civilian or not).

Answer 1

if you read their history shiite and sunni been killing themselves since they both split after the death of muhammad . I just got back from there Al qaeda somewhat cares who they target in iraq but militants forget about it all bets are off on that one everyone is a target.

Answer 2

Terrorists by definition of the Geneva Convention.  

Answer 3

Yes. We obey the 'laws of war' they do not. It is hard to fight ethically against someone who does not fight ethically. That is basically it. Terrorists can shoot at/kill whoever they want to without repercussions from thier organization. Our military is bound by numerous laws, regulations, and policies that restrict their behavior.

Answer 4

I seem to remember private militias rebelling against a world superpower using guerrilla tactics that the world superpower ruling them considered to be barbaric....oh yea....The private militias in revolutionary America are the ones I'm thinking of....the word back then was rebel though, not terrorist....

Answer 5

Terrorists, by the words you used in your question.  Using humans as bargaining chips and specifically targeting civilians are the tactics of terrorist groups.  David, i get your answer, however, the revolutionary war was an entirely different animal.  It was rebel groups targeting military members, not rebels killing civilians to achieve their goals, you can't compare them.  The revolutionary war was fought with guerilla tactics and also on open battlefields.  These terror groups target civilians, therefore they are terrorists.

Answer 6

they wear no uniform and hide in crowds of civilians without regard to collateral damage, thus they can be treated as terrorists.