Earlier mujahideen?

How early can there be something like the mujahideen in 80s Afghanistan or 90s Bosnia, so foreign warriors who come to fight in the name of Islam?

Can we have them as early as the late Ottomans (1880s-ish) or is that too ASB?
 
Given that the meaning of the word "Mujahideen" is basically "those who engage in Jihad", it can be said that there have been Mujahideen since the beginning of Islam. Maybe even before the beginning of Islam.
 
I know, I was just making an observation about the linguistics of the matter. As far as Mujahideen in the colloquial western use, that is as guerrilla (para)military outfits, one can still find those earlier then the 80s depending on how one defines "guerrilla (para)military outfit". Technically, the Arab forces led by Lawrence of Arabia can fit the bill, as can those of the Mad Mullah of Sudan after the destruction of his Dervish State by the British.
 
From OP

like the mujahideen in 80s Afghanistan or 90s Bosnia

That doesn't help much. What exactly are the distinguishing characteristics of these mujahideen versus the earlier ones? Only when we know what characteristics are included can people determine how to accomplish that.
 
That doesn't help much. What exactly are the distinguishing characteristics of these mujahideen versus the earlier ones?

[Conspiracy theorist] They were sponsored / trained by the CIA!111!! [/Conspiracy theorist] :D
 
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