Counterraid

/ˌkaʊntərˈreɪd/ noun

Definition

A raid launched in response to or as retaliation for an enemy's raid.

Etymology

From counter- + raid, from Old Norse reið (journey). The term emerged during military conflicts when forces needed to respond to enemy attacks with their own incursions.

Kelly Says

Throughout history, counterraids have escalated conflicts—one side raids, the other launches a counterraid in revenge, which triggers another counterraid, creating cycles of violence that are hard to break.

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