Syria

As Turkey invades Northern Syria in an attempt to secure its southern border, deal with the Kurds, and relocate a few millions of people, it worth remembering why U.S. warfighters are in Syria in the first place. This video shows an Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician attached to a Special Forces Operational Detachment […]

A compound that houses elements of the elite Kurdish Yekineyen Anti-Terror (YAT) unit was bombed by Turkish forces in the early stages of the invasion of Northern Syria. YAT is a counterterrorism unit created and trained to hunt down Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists. U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are training, advising, and operating with the […]

There is a lot of talk in the media and among military and political leaders these days about the Kurds and their fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. This author wrote of the option of going to fight ISIS with the Kurds, and one of SOFREP’s own traveled to the region, and has documented his […]

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has promised that his country would cease its cooperation with the United States if no progress is made on the creation of a safe zone in Syria’s northeast. In a recent phone call with his American counterpart Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Akar reiterated the longstanding request made by Turkey that […]

A series of unidentified explosions around Iraq have triggered a political reaction that might affect how American and coalition warfighters destroy the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS). From now on, the Iraqi government and military will review the air tasking order on a daily basis to determine which air missions will be greenlighted. The […]

For every year of my adult life, September has opened on a somber note. As a journalist that works in the National Security and Defense sphere, I’ve come to embrace the sadness this month brings with it, often channeling the lump in my throat for the sake of content — writing pieces each year that […]

A soldier assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command demonstrates firing positions on the M320 40mm grenade launcher to a member of the Saudi Arabian Naval Special Forces during joint forces weapons training in a tactical training area in Amman, Jordan, Aug. 28, 2019, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 2019. Eager Lion, U.S. Central […]

In an attempt to solidify its position as the premier Spec Ops force in the Indo-Pacific, the Australian Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) will be receiving a $3 billion boost to enhance its technological, infrastructural, and manpower capabilities. More specifically, the Australian government greenlighted the funds, which will be distributed over a period of 20 years. This, […]

On Saturday, August 10, a Marine Raider was killed in action during combat operations in Iraq. Gunnery Sergeant Scott A. Koppenhafer, a Critical Skills Operator (CSO) assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion (2nd MRB) was fatally wounded while providing combat support to Iraqi Security Forces. In a press release, the Marine Special Operations Command […]

Within mere hours of a group of terrorists hijacking a passenger ferry in Sydney’s Middle Harbour, Australian commandos were already above and beside their target. Six rigid-hulled inflatable boats packed with operators whizzed toward the ship. In the sky, a flock of Blackhawk helicopters circled to fast-rope additional assault teams and provide critical aerial sniper […]

Simply stated, of all the surface-to-air threats being faced by coalition airpower over Syria, the Russian S-400 SAM, known as the “Triumf” at home and better known to NATO as the SA-21 “Growler,” is the most capable and lethal long-range air defense missile system on the planet. In response to the downing of a Russian […]

On June 27th, two U.S. Navy explosive ordnance sailors received the Bronze Star for valor for clearing an underground headquarters compound that contained dozens of ISIS fighters. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Petty Officer Travis Holland of Colorado and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Petty Officer Christopher Greene of Arizona were crucial in […]