Among the regular ISIS fighters, special troops are called "Inghemasiyoun" which in Arabic means "those who dive". They are considered the most lethal troops among the ranks of terrorists, nothing to do with the soldiers immortalized in the propaganda videos issued by the media arm of ISIS in recent months.
These are disciplined, well-equipped and fanatical soldiers. In some ways they remember the Berserkers, the legendary Scandinavian warriors seized by religious fury. The ISIS commandos go into battle with an explosive belt: the last act of their madness in the presence of imminent defeat.
First hidden (perhaps deliberately by the Coalition), they are now well known. The main perpetrators of the capture of the Syrian city of al-Sukhna were held last May.
Their role in al Baghdadi's strategy is now clear. These are the first elements that Isis sends into battle, infiltrating small groups behind enemy lines and generating chaos. Once the panic is sown, the regular land invasion begins.
Despite the brutality demonstrated, the Caliphate continues to show organization and flexibility, with creative tactics that exploit atmospheric agents to their own advantage. Sandstorms, in recent attacks, have become a valid ally of the Caliphate that exploits them to mask an assault, as well as snipers who have learned to camouflage themselves by exploiting their surroundings in a professional and not improvised way.
The latest attacks have shown an elasticity in the approach, which easily turns from conventional warfare into guerrilla warfare. The Humvees taken from the Iraqis as well as the heavy artillery, act in concert with the suicide troops. Tactics and strategies found in Iraq, Syria and Egypt.
Unlike the regular Iraqi and Syrian troops, led by commanders who fear the failure of any military action, the terrorists are guided by elements that have only one order: to win that battle with every means and strategy. It turns out that the informal ability to hit the enemy is winning against the static orders of regular troops, guided by rigid, inefficient and corrupt hierarchies.
The last battles continue to provide other details. The fundamentalists were forced to be very disciplined for one simple reason: the immediate execution of capital on the battlefield. A sort of strategic foresight would also emerge as, according to the Iraqis, only a small part of the heavy equipment stolen was used in battle, perhaps in anticipation of a future and more demanding campaign.
The comparisons, meanwhile, are wasted. The Iraqi generals themselves report that ISIS would be able to conduct numerous battles simultaneously, guaranteeing food, ammunition and reinforcements in every theater. Iraqis, on the other hand, would be able to drive (?) Only one battle at a time.
The atrocities are then part of a precise tactic aimed at terrorizing the enemies. Just the men of the Caliphate, "thanks" to their ferocity are judged as unstoppable giants. From 30 to 60 thousand fighters are found in Iraq and Syria. The fighting force, led by former officers of the dissolved army of Saddam Hussein, includes elements (many with experience) from Europe, the Americans, Arabs and Asians.
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Then there are thousands of veteran jihadists who fought in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Somalia, with their wealth of asymmetrical tactics. Their role, from frontline combat, has evolved into that of force multipliers.
It is now confirmed that the "Inghemasiyoun" acted in Ramadi. Those synchronized attacks, that ability to conduct operations ranging from traditional strategy to terrorism, will be studied for a long time by the allies. It is clear that the doctrine against ISIS has several shortcomings for an underrated enemy. Similar procedures are also registered in Egypt.
Despite the loss of Baghdad, the Beiji oil refinery and the hometown of Saddam Hussein, Tikrit in Iraq and Kobane and Tal Abyad, in Syria, last month there was an attack by seventy suicide bombers. Kobane has been upset by constant explosions. It was certainly not an attack to regain the city, but aimed more at creating panic among the ranks of the enemy.
Another raid last week, to Tal Abyad with the same purpose. The latest ISIS tactics also implement the use of UAVs on the battlefield. The Islamic State, for reasons that appear to be unknown, also possesses communications equipment superior to those in possession of the regular Iraqi troops. The confirmation comes from the commander of the Fifth Iraqi division, General Ali Omran. Terrorists would use encrypted frequencies to communicate with each other. In some attacks, fundamentalists have also used unprotected frequencies to confuse the enemy and transmit false information.
Finally, the food. Disconcerting how efficient the ISIS logistics system is. The guerrilla rations also include grilled meat and chicken skewers, while water is never lacking on the front line.
Iraqi troops in battle, on the other hand, sometimes even manage to eat.
Franco Iacch
