In a recent broadcast by a channel called France 24, French reporters in Syria unexpectedly came across a coalition special operations unit, coordinating air strikes and working with Kurdish YPG units in the fight against Daesh in Shaddadi (northern Syria). Somewhat untypical of these types of units in going this long without realizing that a video crew was at work directly behind them. But we saw this in the early parts of the invasion of Afghanistan with a film crew capturing SAS operators in a firefight.

Similar to our earlier post on the captured Russian SF equipment, this segment of video brings us some valuable insight into what these rarely seen SF guys are carrying. For one, I’d like to point out to all the SCAR fanboys out there, there are no SCARs present. But what we do have are the traditional ARs, the Remington 2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle, FN Herstal 240 Lima with collapsible stock, MK.48, and a smattering of Glocks in mostly Safariland holsters. The teams here aren’t employing their weapon systems, but are instead employing something much more deadly, their ability to call in air strikes on Daesh, with the help of A10s and other air assets. These SF forces are absolutely American, there is too much American specific weaponry and gear to avoid that. However, there might be some British guys mixed in as well, knowing the nature of the relationship between the two countries.

Bear in mind that these guys aren’t in a direct action capacity, they aren’t returning fire or receiving fire. Most of them are simply looking through their scopes for observation purposes. They are silhouetting themselves because the enemy threat is extremely low and they can afford to not keep as low a profile behind this berm.

Remington M2010 ESR, with a Glock 17 holstered in a Safariland set up. M240 Lima with Elcan scope is what the gunner on the left is using. The sniper has his helmet off so he can get a better cheekweld on the rifle.

A zoom in of a Daesh field position or VCP.

Interesting AK century series in 7.62x39mm among the YPG.

Complete tough guy image right here. The arm blurrings are for his tattoos. His Safariland is set much lower than any of his teammates. I would honestly be afraid of it breaking off at this point. Notice the EOTech despite all the recent controversy.

I find it interesting that Mid Length ARs are being used instead of the Mk.18s. Usually these units want their weapons to be as short and as light as possible, but not in this case. I can only assume this is for accuracy capabilities.

FN 240 Lima being used on the truck that the team rode up in. Notice the brown Kydex holster with the team member in the jeans.