1. The picture above is wrongly attributed to AQ. The Picture IMO belongs to a PMC based out of the Central Asian state (Uzbek and other ex soviet state) headed by an ex Spetnaz guy. The PMC exclusively provides services to various Jihadi outfits - Sunni only.
Google: Malhama Tactical,
I don't think so .These pictures belong to Tahrir al-sham aka HTS aka AL-Qaeda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham
There was a person on twitter who claimed to be from HTS ,he had uploaded this video first (from which the screenshot are taken) , his account was suspended because he was posting too much graphic content of HTS and threatening people with assassination and beheading.(I was following him ,so I know) Even other people being security analyst,terrorist,rebel group (mostly from syria,turkey) have referred to them as al-qaeda.
This is not the original version of the video, but still
2. The YPG has now got Millions and Millions of dollars in JSOC aid and Obeservers and today have created a very credible SOF unit called the Counter Terrorism Group. Delta was recently critized for fighting alongside them wearing YPG patches.
This is YPG SF
https://sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screen-Shot-2017-03-23-at-10.30.51-AM-1.png
So simply saying XYZ is better equiped is pointless without context.
Context was improved and standardized personal combat gear .
- How many men do they have to equip and training (the training is more expensive then most of the equipment)
- Very easy to give a few hundred men Star war gear but have to hand hold them through combat (look at Iraqi and Astan SOF)
It's very easy to badmouth Iraqi and afghan SF ,they are relatively new SF and they did take time to evolve. A good fighting force is not only about good personal gear but a combination of many other things.I read an article recently ,it contained a detailed account of the war going on in Iraq,it had high praise for Iraqi SF and the role they are playing.It also mentioned their biggest shortcoming being their small number ,due to which they could thrust offensive only in a small area where as the other military, para military,milita soldiers were not able to support the offensive due to the lack of training ,motivation,weapons,leadership etc.
Regarding Afghan SF they are highly praised in military community and are fast evolving into a formidable force,just look at the recent operation they carried out in afghan military hospital.It is the regulars,para military and police that are letting down Afghanistan due to multiple reasons.
Currently (Central) Indian Specialized units engaged in Cyclical operations
Army SF
CRPF COBRA
RR SOG
J&K -P - SOG
MARCOS
Forward Deployed Infantry Ghatak Platoons
NSG
Elements of Assam Rifles
BSF ?
if you count all of them up easily cross 100K people.
Training, Deployment, Equipment, Recruitment = COST $$ and TIME - Everything needs to find a balance and cannot happen overnight.
Out of these CRPF COBRA,Marcos ,NSG have pretty decent and standardized personal gear.No one is talking about replacing all of it overnight ,but you have to start from somewhere,slowly and gradually.
I don't think money is the main reason ,we already have various RFI issued pertaining to them plus the money involved is miniscule in front of the big ticket items,it is the procurement system which seem to be dragging without delivering.
Of course personal gear is not the only factor regarding success in combat ,there is training,leadership,motivation etc- etc ,but still ,a good personal gear only has a positive effect on the soldier ,be it psychologically or the comfort and safety it provide .I still remember after the sukhna ambush one CRPF soldier who was on bed in a hospital was crying and complaining that government does not provide them with decent bullet proof vest,helmets,and other gear and send them to die,no-where he mentioned lack of training or leadership. A person can fight in his slippers also ,that does not mean you do not provide him with good quality boots.Even if the gear is there what quality and comfort does it provide!what about standardization of combat dress.Indian army is a professional modern fighting force ,it should look like one.
Take the case of NSG ,if personal gear is so irrelevant then why did they go from this :
To this ,after the tragedy struck
It took Russian attack on Crimea for Ukrainian soldiers to go from this
To this
I do believe that it is not money but a small war with Pakistan that will bring in the transformation we all wish to see.
While we are at this topic, I would like to point out that ITBP has a good track record regarding upgrading and standardizing of the gear and combat uniform.
