hostile forces; adversary; opposition
Refers to an opposing group or power, often in political, military, or competitive contexts.
Negotiations with the hostile forces are facing difficulties.
In the election, they won by a wide margin over the opposition.
敵 is a general term for 'enemy' or 'opponent', while 敵対勢力 specifically emphasizes an organized opposing force or power.
対立勢力 also means 'opposing forces', but 敵対勢力 carries a stronger nuance of active hostility.
Compound of 敵対 (てきたい, 'hostility, antagonism') and 勢力 (せいりょく, 'force, power, influence').