One of the most remarkable mechanized campaigns of recent years pitted the brutal and heavily armed jihadis of Islamic State against an improvised force belonging to the Kurdish YPG (later the SDF). While some Kurdish vehicles were originally from Syrian Army stocks or captured from ISIS, many others were extraordinary homemade AFVs based on truck or digger mechanicals, or duskas, the Kurds' version of the technical. Before US air power was sent to Syria, these were the Kurds' most powerful and mobile weapons.
Co-written by a British volunteer who fought with the Kurds and an academic expert on armoured warfare, this study explains how the Kurds built and used their AFVs in the war against 'Daesh', and identifies as far as possible which vehicles took part in major battles, such as Kobane, Manbij and Raqqa. With detailed new artwork depicting the Kurds' range of armour and many previously unpublished photos, this is an original and fascinating look at modern improvised mechanized warfare.
Autorentext
Ed Nash fought for the YPG in 2015/16, participating in several offensives against the so-called Islamic State. He has written an account of his experiences in a memoir entitled Desert Sniper: How One Ordinary Brit Went to War Against ISIS (Little, Brown, 2018). He has travelled in conflict zones across the globe, especially in South East Asia. He holds a first-class degree in History and has published many articles on counterinsurgency, weapons technology and military affairs more generally.
Inhalt
(Subject to confirmation)
INTRODUCTION
THE ROLE OF ARMOURED FORCES IN SYRIA
ARMED GROUPS IN THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR
The YPG/YPJ
The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
IMPROVISED ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES
AFV SOURCES: SYRIAN ARMY, ISIS AND COALITION SUPPLIED
Soviet Armour
BRDM-2 Scout Vehicles
Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs)
M1117 Armoured Security Vehicle
The US Army Humvee
Other US-Supplied Wheeled Vehicles
'TECHNICALS'
12.7mm Heavy Machine Guns
14.5mm KPV
23mm Cannon
57mm Recoilless Rifles and Multiple Rocket Launchers
UNIT STRUCTURE AND TACTICS
THE YPG/SDF WAR AGAINST ISIS
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX