ISIS in Iraq - Video NSFW
I'm going to post the video at the very end of my post, so nobody accidentally clicks it without being fully aware of the content.
ISIS, the new AQI that has emerged from the end of our occupation and the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Libya, has released a full hour video of their current efforts in Iraq. This is disheartening to those who buried our friends for that place, and more importantly shows the effects of a "power vacuum" left when an occupation force is withdrawn quickly to enhance one's political checklist.
The video is brutal for some to watch. Unfortunately I've become numb towards this stuff. What makes this worse than the usual muj videos is how clear the film quality is, the apparently competent video editing job done, and the absolute lack of opposition facing ISIS in the form of the IP/IA we left in place. Most of it is typical, the shooting bound and blindfolded people, the sniper and IED cams, all the usual. Again, very clean footage, not that grainy first generation camera stuff. So if you can stomach an hour of this and watch as an analytical and observational viewer, it certainly is telling.
Some points I think many should take away from this;
- The level of complacency the Army and Police display. They were never known for their awesomeness, but these videos seem to be happening at outposts where poor discipline is rampant.
- Use of IEDs. If you know what you're looking for, it's not hard to pick out exactly where/when/how the strikes would hit. Apparently this concept is lost on people who think "God willing" is a good enough way to avoid being vaporized.
- Ballistic effects - There are dozens of different weapons used in this. I don't think many of them are concerned with only using Hornady super expanding flavor of the month rounds. Sometimes first round hits and DRT. Sometimes it's a third or fourth. Regardless, don't count on the ballistics to do your job.
- Fanaticism - I'm sure there will be an outcry against Islam after some watch this. Save it for the gun club anyone who has spent enough time in these areas has seen that any religion can be used to justify savagery when mixed with just the right amounts of illiteracy, funding, and absence of self awareness/personal responsibility. However it is worth noting that those who feel as if their cause is somehow blessed by God/Allah are more "in it to win it". Those collecting a paycheck are no longer in the land of the living.
- Psychology of a gunfight. Several of the ISIS fighters are wounded and continue to fight. Likely a mix of drugs and a decade of experience has taught them "you ain't dead til you're dead". In contrast, many of the young Army/Police as well as the older, further removed from fighting type, seem to immediately submit when they are hurt. Doesn't seem to do much in the way of keeping them alive. So if you're moving gents, you're fighting. That's it.
- Motive is the last Ill discuss, and if you're skimming please read this part in particular. Sure Islam is a motive, whatever. In reality this is a cookie cutter conflict of those with money using those who want power. And those who seek power use those who have been wronged/seek revenge to accomplish these methods. The Iraqi government we left behind was much like the Afghan government now; rife with corruption, lacking leadership, and driven by personal gain. These guys getting killed in the video are most likely pretty far from innocent in committing similar acts. They're likely reaping what they sew.
For those of you who find this particularly upsetting (this isn't FUN to watch, but it's about as upsetting to me as a nature show) you can consider this a gut check. This isn't cavemen clubbing each other to death, or anything particularly prehistoric in means of carrying out attacks. This is what war looks like. This is how you win. And even if you'll never attack a fortified enemy, this is what shooting people looks like. Too many have been mislead to believe that their level of preparation is based on success on a static one dimensional range. Defending your home or your family, defending your freedom, it's real. And it's a game you can just as easily lose as win.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95r4...ature=youtu.be
Mods, sorry if the content is forbidden, still getting used to being an active member of M4C. Please know the intent isn't to push a snuff film on members, rather to have intelligent dialogue about the subjects discussed.
Last edited by SOW_0331; 05-20-14 at 00:59.
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Originally Posted by ptmccain
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