Armoured warfare of ISIL

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is known to extensively use armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) in both conventional and unconventional armoured warfare. From 2013/14, the military of ISIL captured hundreds of AFVs, including main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers, and pressed them into service in Syria and Iraq. Besides using them conventionally, ISIL also converted many AFVs into vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) which were used to great effect in suicide attacks, as well as armouring regular vehicles for similar attacks. By 2017, most of ISIL's armour in the Middle East had been destroyed by the various anti-ISIL forces; however, African affiliates of ISIL are known to continue to operate AFVs.

ISIL tank in Raqqa in 2014

History

Although ISIL originated as an insurgent movement, its historical core membership included a significant number of ex-members of Ba'athist Iraq's military. Many of these veterans eventually became high-ranking commanders within ISIL. In consequence, the group had not just experience in insurgent but also regular warfare even before it emerged as actual proto-state. After the Syrian Civil War's outbreak in 2011, ISIL began to gradually grow in power and seized large swaths of Syrian and Iraqi territory during major offensives in 2014.[1] It also captured great quantities of weaponry, including hundreds of AFVs.[2][3] ISIL captured around 200 tanks and 70 BMP armoured personnel carriers in Syria alone.[3] To defend its new holdings, ISIL reorganized its armed forces into a hybrid insurgent-conventional army, including units specifically designed to field AFVs. Several self-proclaimed provinces of ISIL set up workshops to support AFVs, although only a few actually created an industry surrounding these vehicles.[4][3]

An ISIL tank during the Palmyra offensive (2017)

ISIL extensively used its armour in several battles. The organization deployed tanks during the Battle of Kirkuk (2014), where they failed to defeat Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga, but were able to stall counter-attacks as the Peshmerga lacked sufficient anti-tank weapons.[5] Suicide tank bombs played a major role in the Battle of Ramadi (2015–2016).[6] In August 2015, ISIL's "Platoons of Special Tasks" deployed several tanks and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) during two mechanized assaults aimed at capturing the besieged Kuweires Military Aviation Institute. Both attacks failed to breach Kuweires' extensive fortifications, resulting in heavy losses among ISIL troops. Tanks were also heavily involved in battling the Syrian Democratic Forces, with ISIL relying on sophisticated camouflage to avoid being targeted by the anti-ISIL coalition's air forces. As time went on, however, several defeats on the ground and the constant aerial bombardments gradually whittled down ISIL's armoured forces. One of the last operations which saw the mass use of ISIL AFVs was the Palmyra offensive (December 2016). By 2017, most of its AFVs were destroyed and its ability to maintain conventional armed units greatly degraded.[3][7] In late 2017, ISIL moved a large number of its remaining tanks and APCs from Iraq to Syria in an attempt to turn the tide during the Battle of Deir ez-Zor (September–November 2017).[8] Since the Battle of Baghuz Fawqani in early 2019, ISIL no longer controls significant territorial holdings in the Middle East aside from some desert enclaves, and has returned to waging an insurgency in Syria and Iraq.[9]

ISIL still holds territories outside the Middle East, however, and some of its forces still maintain small numbers of AFVs. Most notably, Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) captured and then deployed several tanks during the Chad Basin campaign (2018–2020).[10][11][12] ISWAP even mounted speakers onto their tanks, blasting jihadist battle songs when using them in combat.[12]

Organization

Several units of ISIL's military are known to use armoured fighting vehicles; five of these are known in Syria: The Tank Battalion (Arabic: كتيبة الدبابات), the Platoons of Special Tasks (often called the "Caliphate Army"), the Uthman ibn Affan Division (Arabic: فرقة عثمان بن عفان), the Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah Division (Arabic: فرقة أبي عبيدة بن الجراح), and the Zubayr ibn al-Awam Division (Arabic: فرقة الزبير بن العوام). The latter three are named after companions of Muhammad.[3] Main battle tanks are mainly employed as part of the Tank Battalion, while the other four formations are known to employ less heavy AFVs (though exceptions exist). The AFVs most commonly deployed by the Tank Battalion were T-55, T-62, and T-72 tanks,[1] of which over a hundred were in use in Syria and Iraq.[2] The "Platoons of Special Tasks" instead relied more on BMP armoured personnel carriers and technicals.[13] However, ISIL often used these units in tandem for operations, for example outfitting the "Platoons of Special Tasks" with tanks and artillery if the situation demanded it.[13] Tank crews were also attached to non-armoured units during offensive operations, such as in the Palmyra offensive (May 2015), as ISIL hoped to capture tanks and directly press them into service.[14] In general, teams of observers were attached to ISIL's tank and artillery units and helped them to select targets.[15]

ISIL's AFVs were supported by a large and complex logistical network. The armour was moved around in a fleet of low loaders and disguised in various ways to survive the regular aerial bombardments of the anti-ISIL coation. In addition, many small industrial sites and scavenging teams were set up that harvested abandoned allied or enemy vehicles, repaired damaged vehicles, produced spare parts as well as ammunition, and modified.[13] Two main facilities existed in Syria at which ISIL repaired, built and modified its AFVs. Known as the "The Workshops", one was located in Deir ez-Zor and the other south of al-Thawrah. The latter was more prominent and modified about 400 vehicles before being captured by the Syrian Army during the 2017 Southern Raqqa offensive.[13]

ISIL armour also includes vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIEDs). Although most VBIEDs are modified cars, some are cars outfitted with armour or outright AFVs.[13] These armoured bombs cannot be destroyed by small arms or machine gun fire, making them more fitting for attacks on well-armed opponents, while AFV suicide bomb can hold more explosives in a tighter shell which results in an even greater destructive potential than those of regular car bombs.[16]

Tactics

ISIL's AFVs usually do not operate on their own, and are instead employed as part of mobile ad hoc combined arms reaction forces. In Syria and Iraq, these included tanks, technicals, and artillery which were stationed at hidden positions, often in vicinity of the frontline. If enemy forces broke through in some area or an offensive was launched by ISIL, the small reaction forces would launch an attack in two waves, with VBIEDs acting as spearheads which destroy hostile strongholds or cause confusion, followed by the AFVs and technicals. These assaults were often very successful, resulting in the rout of anti-ISIL forces.[15][3]

Camouflage and decoys

To protect its armour from airstrikes, ISIL makes extensive use of camouflage and decoys. "The Workshops" would commonly add multi-spectral camouflage to tanks. In addition, some tanks were outfitted with camouflage consisting of leather strips and camouflage nets which made the vehicles harder to spot from the ground and the air. At least one tank was even outfitted with a superstructure which made it look like a truck from above.[3] ISIL troops also built wooden dummy tanks during the Battle of Mosul (2016–17) to divert airstrikes.[17]

Crews
Posing with their tanks, photographing them from different angles and even becoming members of tank enthusiast groups on Facebook, their presence on social media certainly provides for an interesting insight into the life of Islamic State fighters one doesn't get to see often.

—Researcher Stijn Mitzer[3]

The troops which are given access to heavy weapons such as tanks are usually those regarded by ISIL as being the most loyal and capable ones.[18] ISIL tank crews and technicians are known to have formed tight-knit groups within ISIL's military, often socialising with each other even when not on duty. Researcher Stijn Mitzer noted that many ISIL tank crews and technicians had a strong presence on social media where they actually communicated with tank crews from opposing armies such as the Syrian Army, bonding over their shared passion for AFVs despite being enemies. Many ISIL tank drivers were also part of Facebook tank enthusiast groups, sharing photos taken with their tanks with others, including non-Sunni Muslims. Over time, most ISIL tank crews in Syria and Iraq were killed in action.[3]

Propaganda

Syrian and Iraqi tank crews were also often featured in ISIL propaganda.[3] In at least one instance in October 2015, ISIL used a tank to execute a Syrian Army prisoner by running him over, claiming that the prisoner had been a tank driver who had crushed ISIL fighters in one battle. The video material of the execution was subsequently included in ISIL propaganda.[19]

See also

References
  1. Ripley 2018, p. 138.
  2. Knights & Mello 2015, p. 2.
  3. Stijn Mitzer (31 August 2017). "Armour in the Islamic State – The Story of 'The Workshop'". Oryx. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  4. Ripley 2018, pp. 138–139.
  5. Kilcullen 2016, p. 104.
  6. Malkasian (2017), pp. 190–191.
  7. Eric Schmitt (25 December 2016). "Aboard a U.S. Eye in the Sky, Staring Down ISIS in Iraq and Syria". New York Times. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  8. "Islamic State sent elite troops, tanks to Syria from Iraq: media". PanARMENIAN.Net. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  9. "Syrian army attacks Islamic State targets in desert: report". Reuters. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  10. James Reinl (19 April 2019). "How stolen weapons keep groups like Boko Haram in business". Public Radio International. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  11. "IS claims responsibility for Niger attack which killed 71: SITE". France24. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  12. Joe Parkinson; Drew Hinshaw (12 December 2019). "Islamic State, Seeking Next Chapter, Makes Inroads Through West Africa". Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  13. Ripley 2018, p. 139.
  14. Joanna Paraszczuk (9 April 2019). "Badr in Palymra, May 2015: Fighter account reveals IS's military strategy and tactics". From Chechnya to Syria. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  15. Ripley 2018, p. 141.
  16. Malkasian (2017), p. 190.
  17. Stephen Kalin (14 November 2016). "Islamic State uses wooden tanks and bearded mannequins in decoy attempts". Reuters. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  18. Ripley 2018, pp. 139–140.
  19. "The "Islamic State" carry out the first execution by tank against a regime force member because he "run over the State's soldiers"". SOHR. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2020.

Works cited
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