What's a "militant?"

Chaotic Lebanon Risks Becoming Militant Haven

BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 6 — Minutes before Islamic militants and government troops began killing each other in northern Lebanon six weeks ago, a flurry of cellphone calls set the tone for the contagion of violence.

Palestinian refugees, who have fled the Nahr al Bared camp because of fighting, taking refuge in the Beddawi refugee camp outside of Tripoli.
The calls began at 2:55 a.m. on May 20 when Lebanese security forces surrounded a Tripoli apartment building used as a safe house by Fatah al Islam, a newly formed militant group with Qaeda aspirations.
“Stop it or I will go out and attack,” the group’s military commander, Abu Hureira, said from his headquarters in the Palestinian refugee camp Nahr al Bared, north of Tripoli, according to a recording of the conversations that was played for reporters with The New York Times. (for entire article, click title)

Don't you just love that title and opening sentence?

What is a "militant?"

disposed to warfare or hard-line policies; "militant nations"; "hawkish congressman"; "warlike policies"
competitive: showing a fighting disposition; "highly competitive sales representative"; "militant in fighting for better wages for workers"; "his self-assertive and ubiquitous energy"
a militant reformer
belligerent: engaged in war; "belligerent (or warring) nations"; "a fighting war" wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
The word militant can refer to any individual engaged in warfare, a fight, combat, or generally serving as a soldier. Journalists often use militant as a purportedly neutral term for violent actors who do not belong to an established military. Typically, a militant engages in violence as part of a claimed struggle for achievement of a political goal. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militant

"actors?"

No end to the euphemisms!

But to "quote" Shakespeare:

"A terrorist by any other name
is just as dangerous!"