Iraqi Security Forces engage ISIS suicide bombers

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.

https://youtu.be/fyv4GJcEAWk

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