What does 'fratricide' mean in military terminology?

In military terminology, 'fratricide' specifically refers to the accidental killing or wounding of one's own forces. This can occur in various situations, such as friendly fire incidents, where a unit mistakenly engages its own soldiers due to misidentification or confusion during combat operations. Understanding fratricide is crucial for military leaders as it highlights the importance of accurate communication, coordination, and situational awareness during engagements to minimize the risk of harming their own personnel.

The other options outline different military concepts but do not accurately define fratricide. Strategic withdrawal refers to a planned retreat to avoid unnecessary losses. Intentional targeting of enemy forces describes direct attacks on adversaries, and surgical strikes focus on precisely targeting specific enemy resources while minimizing collateral damage. None of these concepts relate to the unintentional harm inflicted on friendly troops, which is the essence of fratricide.