The Islamic State is on the brink of absolute collapse because of the efforts of the United States led coalition. Among the coalition members are the Syrian Democratic Forces, the most prominent local national military holding the line against ISIS in the region. Earlier this year, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi gave the order for the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to cross the border into Syria and aid the SDF in their fight against the Islamic State. Most of the combat is happening in the Deir ez-Zor region, a territory that shares a border with Iraq while be split by SDF and Syrian Assad regime forces.
The unit in the featured video shows what appears to be an Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) squad on a patrol. They engage a small force of ISIS militants with rifle fire and it quickly becomes apparent that they have suicide bombers in their ranks. During the exchange several terrorists explode on the horizon sending their corpse into the air like rag dolls. The ISOF troops pick up their rate of fire and one soldier throws a grenade. They remain organized throughout the engagement and establish an effective base of fire while maintaining positive communication between themselves. You can watch the footage below.
It is very clear that the United States military’s advisory work with Iraqi forces has made a difference. Pair that with their experience from the nation’s constant state of conflict over the last 15 years. The Iraqi Security Forces have become a force to reckon with in the modern age of warfare, they are accomplishing incredibly feats considering their limited resources.
Featured image: ISOF HMMWV on the street of Mosul, Northern Iraq, Western Asia. 16 November, 2016. By Mstyslav Chernov [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
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So, what was the point of the suicide bombers detonating harmlessly in regards to ISOF? Where they going off accidentally or due to the fire from ISOF, i.e. did the grenade that was thrown detonate that one ISIS knucklehead?
Looks like a VHS-2, Croatian bullpup.
Interesting...are they using FAMAS', FS2000s, or...
Makes sense. It appeared to be filmed after the worst of the fighting there. Thanks for getting us some real info from there.
I was with Jeremiah and PJ for several months in Bashur before we parted ways, solid fighters. Can't speak to the YPG side of things since I worked exclusively with Peshmerga. Also keep in mind that when cameras/press are present, the local forces are usually hesitant to send foreigners into harms way for fear of reprisals. Not to mention it's hard to catch combat on the fly unless the camera men stay with them for extended periods of time.