5 Epic Moments From Hunting Isis You Cant Miss

In the last few years, the fight against ISIS has captured global attention, not just for its intensity but also for the dramatic and often epic moments that have unfolded on the battlefield. Here are five epic moments from the ongoing efforts to dismantle ISIS that you simply can't miss:

Liberation of Mosul 📍

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The Battle of Mosul stands as one of the most significant confrontations in the campaign against ISIS. Launched in October 2016, this military operation aimed to reclaim Iraq's second-largest city from ISIS control, a task that required unprecedented coordination between Iraqi forces, Kurdish Peshmerga, and coalition allies.

• Intense Urban Combat: Mosul became the stage for some of the most brutal urban warfare in recent history. ISIS fighters employed booby traps, suicide bombings, and sniper nests, making every street and building a battlefield.
• Psychological Warfare: The battle was not just about territory but also about breaking the will of ISIS fighters. The use of propaganda and strategic strikes aimed to demoralize and dismantle the extremist group's hold over the city.

Key Tactics:

• The use of precision airstrikes and urban combat strategies to minimize civilian casualties.
• The involvement of special operations forces in pinpoint attacks on ISIS leadership.

<p class="pro-note">💡 Note: Despite the victory, the destruction left Mosul scarred, with ongoing challenges in rebuilding and re-establishing a sense of normalcy for its residents.</p>

Raqqa's Fall ✨

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Often labeled as ISIS's de facto capital, Raqqa in Syria was another pivotal theater in the fight against ISIS.

• Operation Euphrates Rage: This operation was led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed coalition of local fighters, including the famed Kurdish-led YPG.
• The Siege: The SDF, supported by international coalition air strikes and artillery, laid siege to Raqqa, cutting off ISIS supply lines and slowly advancing block by block.

Notable Moments:

• Civilians Freeing Themselves: Amidst the chaos, videos and stories emerged of Raqqa's civilians taking to the streets to celebrate their liberation from ISIS's reign of terror.
• The Symbolic White Flag: When ISIS finally surrendered in Raqqa, they hung a white flag over the great mosque to signal their defeat, a powerful symbol of the group's downfall.

<p class="pro-note">🔍 Note: The fall of Raqqa did not mark the end of ISIS but symbolized a significant blow to their territorial ambitions in Syria.</p>

The Battle for Marawi 🔥

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While not directly related to the Middle East conflict, the Battle of Marawi in the Philippines became an epic moment in the global fight against ISIS. The city was overrun by pro-ISIS militants in May 2017, leading to a prolonged battle.

• Philippine Military's Response: The Armed Forces of the Philippines, along with local police and other security forces, responded with a massive counteroffensive.
• International Support: Foreign aid and military assistance came from countries like the United States, Australia, and others to help the Philippines in this urban warfare scenario.

The Battle's Intensity:

• Use of Drones and Modern Technology: Both sides employed drones; however, the Philippine forces made strategic use of drones for surveillance and precision strikes.
• Hostage Situations: Numerous hostages were taken by the militants, complicating military operations and leading to a delicate balance between rescuing civilians and engaging the enemy.

<p class="pro-note">🚫 Note: The battle caused significant destruction and displacement, leaving Marawi with a long recovery road ahead.</p>

The Baghdadi Raid 🏚️

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The October 2019 raid in Syria's Idlib province, which resulted in the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was a defining moment in the fight against ISIS:

• Special Forces Operation: Named "Operation Kayla Mueller", this mission involved elite U.S. forces and was executed with precision to capture or kill Baghdadi.
• The Tunnel: Baghdadi, realizing his fate, fled into an underground tunnel system. He ultimately chose suicide by detonating a vest, killing himself along with two children.

Psychological Impact:

• Moral Victory: The death of Baghdadi was portrayed as a decapitating blow to ISIS, significantly denting their propaganda and morale.
• Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Role: The operation also showcased the cooperative relationship between US forces and SDF fighters.

<p class="pro-note">💥 Note: While a monumental event, the raid underscores the continued challenges in completely eradicating ISIS ideology and operations.</p>

Battle for Baghuz 📚

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Battle for Baghuz" alt="Battle for Baghuz"> </div>

The final major battle against ISIS occurred in the small Syrian town of Baghuz, where the remnants of the once-mighty caliphate made their last stand:

• A Coalition Effort: The SDF, with coalition air support, meticulously fought to reclaim Baghuz, known for being the last stronghold of ISIS in Syria.
• ISIS Surrender: Thousands of ISIS fighters and their families surrendered, ending the territorial control of the group in Syria and Iraq.

End of an Era:

• Dispersal and Degradation: ISIS fighters dispersed, some blending back into civilian populations, others attempting to regroup elsewhere or fleeing to other countries.
• Challenges Ahead: The victory in Baghuz marked the territorial defeat but signaled the beginning of new challenges like handling foreign fighters and managing displaced populations.

<p class="pro-note">🌍 Note: The battle highlighted the adaptability of ISIS, which continues to pose a threat through sleeper cells and lone wolf attacks.</p>

The ongoing war against ISIS has been fraught with challenges, strategic adaptations, and epic moments of military and civilian courage. While the group has lost nearly all its territory, the fight against the remnants and the ideologies that feed extremist groups continues. These epic moments from the battles not only tell tales of valor and strategy but also the resilience of communities striving for peace and stability.

Through these stories, we see not just military might but also the human spirit fighting back against terror. These tales of bravery and strategic victories offer a glimmer of hope that, with determination and international cooperation, the world can continue to push back against the scourge of terrorism.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why was the liberation of Mosul significant?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The liberation of Mosul was a pivotal moment because it marked the recapture of Iraq's second-largest city from ISIS control, breaking the group's territorial ambitions in Iraq and dealing a major blow to their operations.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What made the Battle for Raqqa epic?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The Battle for Raqqa was epic due to its symbolic importance as ISIS's de facto capital in Syria. The intense urban warfare and the eventual liberation by local forces supported by the international coalition marked a significant decline in ISIS's power.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What was the impact of the Battle of Marawi?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The Battle of Marawi demonstrated the global reach of ISIS as local militants declared allegiance to the group. It also highlighted the resilience of the Philippine military and the challenges of urban warfare against a terrorist insurgency.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How was Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Al-Baghdadi was killed during a U.S. special forces raid in Idlib, Syria, after he detonated a suicide vest in a tunnel system rather than surrendering.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What was the significance of the Battle for Baghuz?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Baghuz was the last significant battle against ISIS, marking the end of their territorial control in Syria. It showcased the effectiveness of the SDF with coalition support and highlighted ongoing challenges with ISIS sleeper cells.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>