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=== 2015 Hawija operation === |
=== 2015 Hawija operation === |
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On 22 October 2015, the CTD conducted |
On 22 October 2015, the CTD conducted operation in [[Hawija]] backed by [[US Special Operations Forces]]. 69 hostages, killed more than 20 ISIL terrorists and captured 6 others. During the course of the operation, a US service member, Master Sgt. [[Joshua L. Wheeler]], was killed. The KRSC says its intelligence indicated the hostages, including [[Peshmerga]] officers, were to be executed the following morning as mass graves were prepared nearby. It announced there were no [[Kurds]] or Peshmerga among the rescued hostages. The [[United States Secretary of Defense|US Secretary of Defense]] at the time, [[Ash Carter]], called the raid ‘life-saving’ and expected more similar raids with Kurdish partners following the success. Carter added that Kurdish forces collected valuable intelligence, including documents and electronics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurdistan Region Security Council Statement – Special Operation in Hawija rescues 69 hostages |url=http://cabinet.gov.krd/a/d.aspx?s=040000&l=12&a=53826 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018190812/http://cabinet.gov.krd/a/d.aspx?s=040000&l=12&a=53826 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |accessdate=18 October 2017 |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Carter: Soldier heroically entered Kurdish-IS firefight |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d7dc988b84734398a518e98f763dde9f/coalition-identifies-us-commando-killed-iraqi-raid |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012038/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d7dc988b84734398a518e98f763dde9f/coalition-identifies-us-commando-killed-iraqi-raid |archive-date=5 March 2016 |accessdate=18 October 2017 |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=23 October 2015 |title=Kurds say joint raid with U.S. in Iraq aimed to free their fighters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-raid/kurds-say-joint-raid-with-u-s-in-iraq-aimed-to-free-their-fighters-idUSKCN0SH1RL20151023 |accessdate=18 October 2017 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> |
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=== Rescue of Marlin Stivani Nivarlain === |
=== Rescue of Marlin Stivani Nivarlain === |
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Revision as of 18:39, 18 September 2025
Military unit
The Counter Terrorism Department (Kurdish: دژه تیرۆری كوردستان, romanized: Dijê Tirorî Kurdistan, CTD) or Counter Terrorism Unit (CT Unit) is a hybrid special forces unit and investigative agency within the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) responsible for analyzing and combating domestic and international terrorism. It shares its intelligence with KRSC members, in particular the Chancellor, to support counter-terrorism efforts and “protect the interests of the Kurdistan Region“.[1]
The CTD has also been described as a military “division” of the KRSC.[2]
History
The CTD was established in 2007, and has been a leading partner to the U.S.-led Coalition in targeting members of the ISIL leadership in Iraq and beyond since 2014.[1]
2015 Hawija operation
On 22 October 2015, 48 special forces of the CTD conducted a rescue operation in Hawija backed by 30 US Special Operations Forces. The joint U.S.-CTD force freed 69 hostages, killed more than 20 ISIL terrorists and captured 6 others, two of which were considered ‘leaders’, in a two hour long encounter. During the course of the operation, a US service member, Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, was killed. The KRSC says its intelligence indicated that the hostages, including Peshmerga officers, were to be executed the following morning as mass graves were being prepared nearby. It announced that there were no Kurds or Peshmerga among the rescued hostages but more than 20 were former members of the Iraqi security force. The US Secretary of Defense at the time, Ash Carter, called the raid ‘life-saving’ and expected more similar raids with Kurdish partners following the success. Carter added that Kurdish forces collected valuable intelligence, including documents and electronics. The KRSC considered the Hawija operation to be the “single most significant joint rescue operation based out of the Kurdistan region conducted deep in ISIS territory” to date.[3][4][5][6]
Rescue of Marlin Stivani Nivarlain
On 17 February 2016, Kurdish authorities announced that special forces of the CTD rescued a young Swedish girl from ISIL captivity. Marlin Stivani Nivarlain, 16 from Borås, was believed to have been misled by an ISIL member to travel to Syria and later to Mosul to join the group. The KRSC said it was called upon by Swedish authorities and members of Nivarlain’s family to assist in rescuing her.[7][8][9]
Other activities
The unit has been monitoring and investigating the clashes between the PKK and Turkish Armed Forces in the Kurdistan Region, the Iranian attacks on the Kurdistan Region in 2022, and the attacks on US bases during the Gaza war, including the various drone attacks on oil infrastructure and on the Erbil International Airport.[10][11][12][13][14]
Capabilities
Like other special forces of the Kurdistan Region the CTD is a well equipped force, which has received international training and funding during the War against the Islamic State.
The unit possesses various mobility assets, including armored Humvees and trucks.[15] The force also operates a small airforce of at least three EC135 helicopters and an unspecified number of EC635 helicopters, of which some are fitted with the Paramount Group FLASH (Flexible Light Armaments System for Helicopters) upgrade. These helicopters were most probably provided by Jordan.[16]
