Special forces 特种部队
（重定向自Specwar）
![Polish GROM special forces troops at Umm Qasr during the 2003 invasion of Iraq](/Images/godic/202502/12/GROM_DN-SD-04-016125935.JPEG")
![Japanese drawing of the archetypical ninja, from a series of sketches (Hokusai manga) by Hokusai.](/Images/godic/202502/12/Hokusai-sketches---hokusai-manga-vol6-crop5935.jpg")
![British Army scouts in South Africa (1893): Frederick Russell Burnham (middle); Hon. Maurice Gifford (right)](/Images/godic/202502/12/Burnham_in_africa_close_up5935.jpg")
![The British Commandos were the prototype for the modern special forces. Volunteers had to undergo an arduous training course.](/Images/godic/202502/12/Commandos_In_training5935.jpg")
Special forces and special operations forces are military units trained to perform unconventional missions. Special forces emerged in the early 20th century, with a significant growth in the field during the Second World War, when "every major army involved in the fighting" created formations specializing in commando operations behind enemy lines.