Military occupation

Belligerent military occupation occurs when one nation's military garrisons occupy all or part of the territory of another nation or recognized belligerent during an invasion (during or after a war).

Examples of military occupations

: see also List of military occupations.

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In most wars some territory is placed under the authority of the hostile army. Most military occupations end with the cessation of hostilities. In some cases the occupied territory is returned and in others the land remains under the control of the occupying power but usually not as militarily occupied territory.

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Significant contemporary belligerent military occupations

• Western Sahara — by Morocco
• Papua — annexed by Indonesia since 1961

Disputed occupations

Some presences are often referred to as military occupations, but their status as an military occupation are often disputed when not every party in the situation agrees that it is even a military occupation at all.

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Disputed to be a military occupation by local population

• Israel (1949 Armistice lines) — unrecognized by parts of the Arab world, though recognized by Egypt, Jordan and most of the Maghreb
• Northern Cyprus — occupied by Turkey, claimed by Greek Cyprus

Disputed to be a military occupation by nation of dominant military forces in area

• The West Bank and Gaza Strip — by Israel since 1967 (see Israeli-Palestinian conflict)
• Golan Heights and East Jerusalem — annexed by Israel{{ref|GH_EJ}}
• Lower Kuril Islands: Kunashir/Kunashiri, Iturup/Etorofu, Shikotan, Habomai — annexed by Russia (which considers the matter non-negotiable)

Other

• North Korea and South Korea — see Korean Conflict
• Kashmir — held in part by Pakistan, People's Republic of China and India, parts or all claimed by all three.