By then, the opposition had grown into a significant force, backed by numerous advisers from the intellectual circles.

The Papal Army had a similar sized force, backed by numerous volunteers.

Large forces of police and military backed by the British Government and the zamindars mercilessly slaughtered a number of peasants.

It is here that the organization's unique composition - the forces of church and state backed by a vocal community - made the difference.

His forces, backed by American airstrikes, took the city of Mazar-i-Sharif last month.

"Now we have force backed by diplomacy."

American forces, backed by helicopter gunships, struck back, killing at least four insurgents.

Serbian forces, backed by the Yugoslav Army, forced Croatian military units from the dam a year ago.

For one thing, he says, conventional forces backed by a small nuclear force would have cost far less and might have been equally effective.

The Spanish forces and the peninsulares, backed by rich Spanish merchants, were at first on the defensive, but in the longer run their greater resources told.