What is the difference between a soldier and a combatant?

The sovereignty of the Falkland Islands was brought up by an Argentinian football player, holding a sign which read, "Las Malvinas Son Argentinas" ("The Falklands are Argentine").

The accompanying story included, "they fought a short conflict over the islands in 1982, in which 649 Argentine soldiers and 255 British combatants died."
Can someone explain to me the difference?

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DanielsASJ · 36-40, M

Soldiers belong to A Nation
Combatants belong to an ideology

TheHammer · M

Every soldier is a combatant. But not all combatants are soldiers.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

In the fighting sports "combatants" is frequently used. Like boxers, wrestlers or MMA fighters.

None though are soldiers, yet soldiers do go into combat.

BlueVeins · 26-30

If a civilian picks up a gun and starts shooting at Argentinians, they are a combatant. That does not make them a soldier, soldiers are people who are actually integrated into one army's command structure and are on their payroll.

Kwek00 · 41-45, M

@BlueVeins That's it.

ShenaniganFoodie · M

I think it's like comparing different countries or states.

WA - Beautiful 1 day & perfect the next.

Vic - Rain & Overcast most days & bush fires whenever the sun is out

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