"We are on the ground among them, we dress like them. Before even understanding it, they find themselves already handcuffed and traveling to an unknown destination. From our point of view, eliminating them is not always the right thing to do ".
Three weeks have passed since the British government gave carte blanche for all operations in enemy territory proposed by the SAS. Missions conducted exclusively by operators of special departments, authorized by governments to engage the enemy.
Eliminate or capture enemies: it is a decision that belongs to the SAS. In the last three weeks, the Special Air Service conducted three raids on enemy territory, capturing three warlords. The latter were handed over to Kurdish and Iraqi officials for interrogation, in the presence of agents MI6 and MI5.
SAS incursions were announced by sources close to the British Ministry of Defense to the country's media. "Killing terrorists is not always useful to the cause. By capturing them, instead, we instill fear, unhinging their command network for the offensive on Mosul. Kidnapping their commanders in the middle of the night is a precise tactic. "
The latest raids were conducted by twenty units of the Special Air Service, under US command. The British are supported on the ground by US special forces (Seal / Green Berets) and the Australian Special Air Service Regiment.
"There have been episodes in which we have entrusted the only advance to the Iraqis, but with excellent results. As SAS we are at the center of this new strategy, but it is essential that much of the credit goes to the Iraqis ”.
A few days ago, the British government gave the green light to SAS also for raids through the "High Altitude Low Opening - HALO" launch procedure at high altitude in enemy areas. London has authorized such covert operations against terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
The HALO procedure is typical of special departments for the infiltration of special departments beyond enemy lines: performed from altitudes close to ten thousand meters, it effectively cancels the acoustic detection. The SAS and the Special Boat Service commandos will use the new RAF C-17 for what has already been called the "SAS's air-troop".
The integration of C-17 has just ended: they will replace the C-130. The latter are able to carry 100 perfectly equipped paratroopers. The C-17, in addition to launching small vehicles, heavy machine guns and mortars, doubles the number of commandos on board. The C-17 will allow the SAS, through HALO procedure, to land furtively during the night, in areas close to the targets.
"Many operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have been thwarted by the noise of incoming helicopters. This allowed the hostile forces to organize a defense. Low-open assaults cancel this problem ".
A year ago, US special forces attempted an attack on the Raqqa stronghold to save the hostages, but were repulsed by defenders, alerted by the noise of helicopters.
According to the British government, 47.000 "Arab soldiers" have completed military training by Westerners.
(photo: US DoD)
