Training for Iraqi special forces called best in Arab world

Counterterrorism, counterinsurgency forces coming to the fore

The training that the Iraqi internal security forces are undergoing currently are doing more than just preparing the Iraqi government, they are providing the best special forces training in the Middle East:

On Dec. 1, 72 cadets graduated from the special operations course at

the Amman facility. The cadets were among more than 250 recruits

selected to apply for what Iraqi officials termed a leading

counterterrorism force in Iraq. Three cadets were dropped during the

course.

“The training we have now from the Jordanian and the American

instructors was very hard,” said one graduate, who could not be

identified for security reasons.

Officials said the course was divided into two phases. The first phase

was composed of six weeks of basic training. The second phase included

advanced weapons handling, combat marksmanship, assault planning,

advanced sniper training, advanced communications training and search

techniques.

In the final training phase, cadets received integrated sniper and

assault training as well as integrated team planning of assault and

post-assault operations. The cadets also were required to develop a

database for lessons learned to ensure that follow-on courses would be

more efficient and productive.

The trainers were members of Jordan’s Special Operations Force.

Officials said the use of the Jordanians provided training suitable

for the Middle East and constituted the best training available in the

Arab world.

The Jordanian Special Operations Force was the same unit that prevented the chemical attack by al-Qaeda through Syria last year.