Posted on Jul 8, 2015
A secret to IS success: Shock troops who fight to the death. Is this an effective way to fight? Thoughts?
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The IS calls them "Inghemasiyoun," Arabic for "those who immerse themselves." The elite shock troops are possibly the deadliest weapon in the extremist group's arsenal: Fanatical and disciplined, they infiltrate their targets, unleash mayhem and fight to the death, wearing explosives belts to blow themselves up among their opponents if they face defeat.
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Middle East
ISIS
Middle East ISIS
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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You mean like the Waffen SS? Yes, never underestimate a small group of people committed to a cause. Shock troops, those committed to the cause will inspire others of like mind. The Japanese used a form of the Bushido Code to inspire their troops to fight to the death. Are they beatable, yes but the fight will require more then lip service and air strikes.
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SSgt (Join to see)
I was about to point out the same thing, Jeff. That concept that was engrained into the Japanese (not just the military but rather the entire Japanese society) in World War 2 was ultimately what led to the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
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1LT William Clardy
SSgt (Join to see), the use of the atomic bombs was dictated just as much by our insistence on "unconditional surrender" as on expected Japanese resistance defending the home islands. Up until the Soviet Union launched its first military offensive in Manchuria, the Japanese were actively trying to use the Soviets as intermediaries to negotiate a peace treaty.
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This is not really a secret. Wars throughout all of history have employed similar zealous individuals to maximize demoralization, destruction and fear in the enemy. It is extremely effective when applied at the right moments in time. The problem is when your "shock troops" commit enough atrocities to galvanize sentiment and opposition against you. It is extremely effective but takes extraordinary mastery of political and strategic manipulation to be used consistently before the negative effects begin to outweigh the immediate tactical, psychological and political gains.
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Cpl Jeff N.
It is not sustainable in the face of a trained, professional force prepared to take them out. We took out the Waffen SS and the Japanese military but the costs were extremely high. The longer you wait, the worse this will get. They will train more, grow their force, gain experience and brutality etc.
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