Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) provide security for a Coalition mortar crew providing fires support to SDF against ISIS locations in Operation Round Up taking place in the Middle Euphrates River Valley (MERV) in Syria. (photo by SSG Timothy Koster, CJTF-OIR, May 13, 2018).

One Year Later – Physical Defeat of Daesh

March 23, 2020 SOF News 0

On March 23, 2019 the Pentagon announced the physical defeat of the Daesh caliphate in Syria. Over 110,000 square miles were liberated and 7.7 million people freed from Daesh oppression. The Syrian Democratic Front was assisted by U.S. airpower, ISR, […]

Map Syria Admin Divisions CIA 2007

No Friends But The Mountains

December 20, 2018 SOF News 0

Once again the Kurds are cast aside. This is nothing new. Over the span of the past 100 years they have been used as proxy forces and then kicked to the side of the curb once their usefulness has run […]

MG Fadhil al-Barwari 1st ISOF

Remembering MG Fadhil Barwari – ISOF Commander

September 25, 2018 SOF News 0

By David M. Witty Major General Fadhil Barwari, commander of the 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) Brigade, Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS), was a central figure in the Iraqi ethos in the struggle against the Islamic State of Iraq […]

USAF pararescuemen conduct a HAHO MFF in Afghanistan. (photo by Tech Sgt Gregory Brook, March 4, 2018).

Special Operations News Update 20180319

March 19, 2018 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 20180319 – Kurds fighting Turkish forces (not ISIS), HH-60 crash in Iraq, building coalitions, 4th Recon Bn Cdr dies, USMC seeks RIAB for PSYOP, NATO’s annual report, ‘7 Days in Entebbe’, Singapore’s combat divers, SF field kitchen […]

Map of Syria and Iraq (CJTF-OIR)

Middle East War News Update 20171022

October 22, 2017 SOF News 0

ME Update 20171022 – Russia helping the Kurds, Iranian proxies gain ground in northern Iraq, Syrian Kurds advance into oil fields, stabilizing Mosul, Raqqa and governance, Iranian influence in Yemen, Salafism in Gaza, British jihadists, and more. Iraq Iranian Proxies Advancing […]

Marines with Hotel Company, 2nd Raider Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, carry a Zodiac Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat into the surf at Onslow Beach on base, March 28, 2017. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Corinne Zilnicki, U.S Coast Guard).

Defense News Update 20171021

October 21, 2017 SOF News 0

News Update on Defense 20171021 – France’s strategic security review, expansion of CT fight in Africa, SFABs, FORSCOM’s ‘Frontline’, AWOL Afghan trainees, Raqqa liberated, Iraq and Kurdish forces clash, CTC Sentinel (Oct issue), and more. France and Defense. The geopolitical […]

20171013 Chad Special Forces Soldiers receive marksmanship training on live fire range in Massaguet, Chad as part of the Flintlock 2017 exercise. Flintlock is an annual special operations exercise conducted by U.S. SOF. (Photo by SGT Derek Hamilton, US Africa Command, March 6, 2017).

Special Operations News Update 20171013

October 13, 2017 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 20171013 – Kurdistan flash point, SF in Syria, Niger attack, Chad travel ban, SOF suicide drones, more advisors for Afghanistan, AFRICOM at 10 years, SFABs and advising, JFK and the Green Beret, and more. Chad Travel Ban […]

Map depicting Kurdish inhabited areas of Middle East and Iraq. (CIA map 1992).

Kurdistan Update – 20161108

November 8, 2016 SOF News 0

Kurdistan Update for 20161108 – The Kurds are finding themselves in a favorable position with the eventual capture of Mosul looming and degrading of the Islamic State forces in northern Iraq. Kurds and Mosul. Kenneth M. Pollack, of the Brookings […]