| ID | 184180 |
| Title Proper | Fighting ISIS in Syria |
| Other Title Information | Operation Euphrates Shield and the lessons learned from the al-Bab Battle |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Cantenar, Ömer Faruk ; Kozera, Cyprian Aleksander |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This paper analyses the Operation Euphrates Shield (OES) al-Bab battle and presents the lessons learned. OES started with a mixed force of Free Syrian Army, Turkish special forces and armoured units. During the operation, the aims and the force structure gradually changed, yet not the command structure. When OES aimed to capture al-Bab, ISIS employed conventional active defence strategy. The OES commander’s insistence on employing special forces increased own casualties and al-Bab was seized only after resorting to a conventional urban attack. OES presents tactical and operational lessons for the militaries on structure and execution of operations against an irregular adversary employing conventional means. |
| `In' analytical Note | Small Wars and Insurgencies Vol. 33, No.3; Apr 2022 : p.350-381 |
| Journal Source | Small Wars and Insurgencies Vol: 33 No 3 |
| Key Words | Urban Warfare ; Force ; Proxy ; ISIS ; Operation Euphrates Shield ; Turkish Military in Syria ; Al-Bab Battle |