ISIS Hunters
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| ISIS Hunters | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2017–2023[1] |
| Country |  Syria |
| Role | Special forces |
| Engagements | Syrian Civil War |
The ISIS Hunters were a special forces unit of the Syrian Army, formed in 2017 during the Syrian civil war. The unit was informal part of Wagner PMC in Syria.[2][3] Between 2021 and 2023, the unit was formally dissolved.[4] However, their actions and patches were still being posted on Russian Special Forces Telegram, proving that the unit still existed and performed special operations in 2024.[citation needed]
History
[edit]The ISIS Hunters were formed in early 2017 after the Syrian Armed Forces were routed in the December 2016 battle of Palmyra.[2] The group's fighters were integrated into the 5th Army Corps, a formation formed in November 2016 with Russian support, composed entirely of volunteers.[5]
Russia's goal in forming the ISIS Hunters was to build forces that can serve as a counterweight to Iran in Syria, as their objectives in the region differ from those of Moscow.[5] The training of the ISIS Hunters was supervised by the Russians, particularly by the private military company Wagner Group, and their weapons and equipment are also supplied by Russia.[2]
Personnel
[edit]The group's strength was probably a few dozen men.
Areas of operation
[edit]In early 2017, the ISIS Hunters were operating in the Palmyra area, where they were responsible for protecting the military airport, as well as gas and oil fields.[5]
In February 2018, the ISIS Hunters were engaged in the Battle of Khasham near Deir ez-Zor against the Syrian Democratic Forces.[6] During this battle, they were subjected to U.S. bombing, resulting in the alleged loss of between 80 and 100 of their men.[6] Following this incident, the group issued a statement about the casualties they suffered during the fighting.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Как будут делить сирийский "Вагнер" Об этом сообщает "Рамблер"". Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Historicoblog (4) (2017-04-14). "Historicoblog (4): Soldats d'Assad 5/ISIS Hunters". Historicoblog (4). Retrieved 2023-03-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "'ISIS Hunters' belies mercenaries' true intent: to protect Russian interests in Syria".
- ^ Al-Jabassini, Abdullah (2019). From Insurgents to Soldiers: The Fifth Assault Corps in Daraa, Southern Syria. Wartime and Post-Conflict in Syria. European University Institute. ISBN 978-92-9084-767-0.
- ^ a b c d "Syrie: les ISIS Hunters, ces soldats du régime de Damas formés par la Russie". 2022-02-18. Archived from the original on 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ a b "Pro-gov't ISIS Hunters release official statement after US airstrikes in Deir Ezzor". 2018-02-12. Archived from the original on 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
