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For [[organized crime]] or groups that attack civilians but seek to avoid the consequential labelling as [[terrorist]], this term can provide them with cover.
For states, it justifies treating hostiles as combatants, thus killing them without the formalities of evidence, arrest, trial and sentencing. It also justifies support for friendlies engaged in acts one would avoid oneself. It also tends to be suggest that, since it is 'warfare', prisoners caught engaging, or suspected of engaging, in such acts, should be considered [[combatant]]s even if 'out of uniform' (there is often no 'uniform' or even consistent mark of rank).
The US and Israel coined the term [[illegal combatant]] to escape [[Geneva Convention]] rules on how to treat combatants, and both have prisoners in indefinite custody without a right to counsel, trial, or eventual release. Usually there is no way or motive to cease hostility with [[non-state actor]]s.
See also the [[w:asymmetric warfare|Wikipedia article on asymmetric warfare]].
