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The use of mercenaries in warfare has a very long history, and still very much in evidence today. African governments seeking to push back rebel insurgents often employ mercenaries to carry out the task. From Yemen to Syria, mercenaries are directly involved in combat roles. And defence and training work once carried out by national armies is now often done by private military contractors. In this week鈥檚 Newshour Extra, Owen Bennett Jones and his guests consider the role played by these privatised forces fighting someone else鈥檚 war.

Photo: soldier firing automatic weapon Credit: Getty Images