Featured Iraqi SWAT Taking Votes on ISIS Execution NSFW David Reeder March 28, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Here's something you don't see everyday. Apparently Iraqi military personnel are taking votes via social media whether or not to execute captured Daesh members. There have been at least 3 posts in which an Iraqi SWAT member — or more likely someone purporting to be with a unit referred to as “Iraqi SWAT” — has been posting to Instagram (@iraqiswat) and inviting people following to vote on whether to kill or release the captives. The image you see above was posted 8 hours ago (as of this writing) with the comment, “Time to hunt some of isis in Mosul After hunting we will ask you to vote” [sic]. Whether these guys are legitimate Iraqi SWAT, ISOF (Iraqi Special Operations Forces), ICTF (Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force) or some other unit affiliated with ICTS (Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service) is of course something we cannot immediately confirm. Chances are better than good the Iraqi SWAT moniker is a euphemism for elements of (or perhaps a single individual from) an organization in the CTS chain of command…or maybe some clever fellow in a basement somewhere with a source of pictures taken from different places in the AO. Warning: NSFW violent imagery below. The ICTF was originally formed from Shi'a, Sunni and Kurdish volunteers, trained by US and Jordanian Special Forces personnel, with their first graduating Operator Training Course class taking the field in 2004. The unit was then under the command of CJSOTF-AP (Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula) and by many accounts performed extremely well operating alongside or in support of allied SOF units (particularly those of Task Force Black). They continued to develop at ISWCS (Iraqi Special Warfare Center and School) under US and coalition mentorship. In the years since the US military's withdrawal, however, there have been numerous reports of increased politicization within various Iraqi SOF and CT units, even accusations that CTS has become the Iraqi Prime Minister's political tool, modeled on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. CTS units evolved at the Iraqi government's behest (probably unwisely) into more of a regular, albeit elite, line formation vs. its original counterterror unit role. There have also been reports that some of the original, most highly trained and experienced CTS units have suffered disproportionately high casualties over the last 2 to 3 years as compared to more recent units possibly recruited and equipped by virtue of cronyism and political expediency. The truth of all this is not entirely clear, particularly at this remove, but Iraqi units are currently conducting operations against ISIS. Explore RECOILweb:Preview - History Hunter - Craig Gottlieb FN P-12 Shotgun - Rack and RollMechanix Wear Expands Color Offerings with Addition of OD GreenNew plain clothes carry holster to double as a duty rig NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.