Special Forces M-ATV Syria

The U.S. and Conflict in Syria

November 16, 2022 SOF News 0

The Syrian conflict has been ongoing for over a decade. It began as a civil war between the Syrian government and opponents of the Assad regime. The opposition was comprised of several different groups of varying ideological persuasions. Over time, […]

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, […]

Proxy Warfare - Hmong Guerrilla Company, Phou Vieng, 1961, Wikimedia Commons.

Pub – Proxy Warfare and U.S. SOF

August 10, 2019 John Friberg 0

A report by CNA Analysis & Solutions provides a study of past and current use of proxy warfare by the United States. It examines case studies of the use of proxy forces by the U.S., identifies several common themes, and […]

DoD Quarterly Report OIR August 2019

DoD Quarterly Report on OIR (August 2019)

August 7, 2019 John Friberg 0

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General has posted the quarterly report to Congress on OIR. The report covers the period of April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. The report is entitled Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent […]

SDF mortar team fires 120mm at ISIS target near Deir ez-Zor in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, Syria. Photo by SGT Matthew Crane, CJTF-OIR, November 16, 2018.

Trump Said Turkey Will Finish Off ISIS. Maybe Not.

January 29, 2019 SOF News 0

In December 19, 2018 President Trump surprised just about everyone when he announced that the U.S. would begin immediately withdrawing its 2,200 military personnel from northeastern Syria. This decision was apparently the result of a phone call with the Turkish […]

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).

Syrian Democratic Front (SDF)

December 27, 2018 SOF News 0

The Kurds in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria number about 25 million people. They are considered the most populous people in the world that does not have its own nation-state. The Syrian Kurd’s Local Protection Force (YPG) (Wikipedia) comprise a […]

Map Syria Admin Divisions CIA 2007

Leaving Syria – What Happens Next?

December 27, 2018 SOF News 0

Trump’s Surprise Announcement On Thursday, December 19, 2018, President Trump tweeted that we had attained victory over the Islamic State (IS) and that all military personnel would depart immediately. “We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being […]

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 […]

April 2018 Coalition air strikes against Syria

April 2018 Coalition Air Strikes Against Syria

April 14, 2018 SOF News 0

April 2018 Coalition Air Strikes Against Syria – the nations of United Kingdom, France, and the United States launched missile and aircraft strikes against military targets associated with Syria’s chemical weapons manufacturing capability. The attacks took place at 4:00 am […]

Map depicting location of Raqqa, Syria. (Based on CIA admin map 2007).

Syria Update 20170721

July 21, 2017 SOF News 0

Syria Update 20170721 – CIA to halt support to Syrian rebels, armored vehicles continue to move into Syria, Turkey unhappy, Russian air campaign, offensive to take Raqqa, and more. Raqqa. The Islamic State continues to hold on to the city […]