Annexation

Annexation, in international law, is the forcible acquisition and assertion of legal title over one state's territory by another state, usually following military occupation of the territory. In current international law, it is generally held to be an illegal act. Annexation is a unilateral act where territory is seized and held by one state, as distinct from conquest, and differs from cession, in which territory is given or sold through treaty.

This article is about the incorporation of additional territory into a nation state. For the incorporation of additional territory into an urban area, see Municipal annexation.
Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel, passed by the Knesset on 30 July 1980
Federal Law Admitting to the Russian Federation the Republic of Crimea, passed by the State Duma on 21 March 2014
Two examples of unilateral annexation laws, both illegal under international law

Annexation can be legitimized if generally recognized by other states and international bodies.

The illegality of annexation means that states carrying out such acts usually avoid using the word annexation in describing their actions; in each of the unresolved annexations by Israel, Morocco and Russia, the states have avoided characterizing their actions as such.

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