Putin Sends Chechen Special Operation
Forces to Syria
• DECEMBER 9, 2016
Very
interesting news today: according to the journal Izvestia, Russia will
be sending operators from the so-called “Chechen” special forces battalions
“West” and “East” to Syria to “guard the Russian installations” in Khmeimim and
Tartus. According to Russian sources, these two battalions have been converted
into a “military police” force which will be fully deployed by the end of
December.
This news
leaves many fascinating questions unanswered.
First, even
though the Russian sources make it sound like we are talking about two full
battalions, I suspect that this is not the case and that a few companies will
be formed from elements drawn from these battalions. Why? Because these
battalions are part the backbone of the Russian security system in the Caucasus
and that to use such elite forces just to guard 2 military installations makes
no sense.
Second, this
does beg the question of what these “Chechens” (actually a misnomer – see
below) will really be doing Syria. The only circumstance in which it would make
sense to send them to protect the Russian bases in Kheimim and Tartus would be
if a massive attack was expected against these installations and no other
reinforcements were available, which is clearly not the case.
Third, these
two battalions are mostly, but not exclusively, composed of Sunni Muslim
operators. That yields obvious advantages. Furthermore, these battalions have
had a history of successfully defeating the Wahabi insurgency in Chechnia. This
might be crucially important because Wahabi Chechens also compose some of the
best forces available to the Daesh/ISIS/US command in Syria.
So what is
really happening here?
First, it
should be stressed that these two battalions are really quite unique units.
While formally they are just part of the larger Russian special forces
community, they have a unique history and unique reputation. Traditionally,
Russia has always relied on elite Muslim shock forces, and most of those have
been Chechen. This was true before the 1917 Revolution as it was true after.
For example, the so-called “Muslim battalion” played a key role in the invasion
of Afghanistan. And 2008, the Chechen battalions “West” and “East” played a key
role in the Russian counter-offensive against the Georgian forces. To make a
long story short: not only are these battalions known for their amazing courage
and skills, their appearance often sends the opposing forces into a panic.
Second, Ramzan
Kadyrov has been pouring huge resources, with the full support of Putin, of
course, into the creation of a unique special forces training facility in
Chechnia where special operators from all over Russia are coming to learn,
teach and share their experience. As a result, the so-called “Chechen” units are,
in reality, a mix of special operators from all over Russia who have been
specially trained to deal with Daesh-like insurgencies.
This means
that regardless of the actual size of the force sent to Syria, to use it to
protect installations is total overkill and nobody in Russia really believes
that all these lads will be doing is manning check-points. Their true mission
will be something very different.
Some Russian
analysts have been speculating that their real function will be to clear Aleppo
from the remaining al-Nusra/Daesh/ISIS forces. Maybe, but I doubt it. I find it
much more likely that these men will be sent in to train Syrian special forces
in advanced counter-insurgency intelligence operations. For one thing, the
Russians have admitted that they have Chechen intelligence agents infiltrated
into Daesh. It would only make sense for the Russians to share their experience
with their Syrian counterparts. The key reason here is that rather than
fighting the war for the Syrians, the Russians need to enable the Syrians to
fight their own war.
Alas, the
actual record of the Syrian security forces has been, according to Russian
sources, checkered at best and the Russians are, reportedly, unimpressed. While
the Syrians do have some elite combat units, they do not have high quality
intelligence operatives. What is needed in this case is not just a good soldier
(say, like a Russian paratrooper or a US Ranger), but a fully trained combatant
and a fully trained intelligence officer, something similar to the CIA’s
Special Activities Division or the Russian “Vympel” force. The kind of training
needed to prepare for such a function is much more complex, costly and
time-consuming than what it takes to train a good paratrooper or Ranger. My
guess is that while the “Chechens” will, when needed, provide immediate support
for the Syrians, they will also have a long-term role in organizing an
effective counter-terrorist/counter-insurgency force.
Of course, I
might be wrong. If I am, then the other reason why these two battalions have
been sent to Syria is to directly participate in combat operations against the
Takfiris. We know that Putin sent some secret letter to
Iranian President Rouhani. Could it be to coordinate a surge in Russian
and Iranian operations in Syria? If so, then sending in the “Chechen” special
forces would make sense, especially to keep the Turks at bay if and when
needed.
Whatever may
be the case, the decision to send in the “Chechens” is clearly a major
development and a sign that something important is being prepared.
P.S. Ramzan
Kadyrov has issued a denial saying that there are no battalions “West” and
“East” in Chechnia that is TECHNICALLY true since these two battalions have now
been included in the 8th mountain and 18th motor-rifle brigades. It is also
true that the original commanders of these forces have been replaced, but the
operators still exist and Kadyrov has admitted that they were already in Syria
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