Expanding Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF)


Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki wants to see the seven battalions of Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) expanded into a force of 20 battalions. Four battalions will be allocated to Baghdad, including the praetorian 2nd Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Force battalion, the top-tier Iraqi special forces unit trained by ‘tier one’ western special forces such as US Navy Seals and Britain’s Special Air Service.