1LT (Ret) J. N. Lee
11A Infantry Officer
SECRET
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DEFENSE PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC
01 December 2024
(S) Sons of Al-Karbouli (SoAK) and the People's Militia Force (PMF) Capability Assessment and Technical Digest
(U) Administrative
All acronyms utilized in the following brief are proactively defined and utilized strictly for the streamlining of text and characters. All acronyms in the following report are defined/transcribed in full upon initial use and then abbreviated for subsequent use. The "Spoilers" marked part below contains utilized acronyms/abbreviations and their definitions and is closed simply to condense report size.
U - Unclassified. Used for government documents that do not merit a particular classification or which have been declassified. The information is low-impact, and therefore does not require any special protection, such as vetting of personnel.
Capability Assessment - is a structured and standardised framework for evaluating the capabilities, competencies of military entities.
Technical Digest - An Intelligence Report that provides a comprehensive understanding of military entities, Weapons and Equipment.
C - Confidential. This is the lowest classification level of information obtained by the government. It is defined as information that would "damage" national security if publicly disclosed without the proper authorization.
S - Secret. Material that would cause serious damage to national security if it were publicly available.
ODF - Operation Desert Fury.
SoAK - Sons of Al-Karbouli.
PMF - People's Militia Force.
RTO - Ramadi Theatre of Operations.
LoS - Line of Supply.
IAF - Iraq Armed Forces.
Capability Assessment - is a structured and standardised framework for evaluating the capabilities, competencies of military entities.
Technical Digest - An Intelligence Report that provides a comprehensive understanding of military entities, Weapons and Equipment.
C - Confidential. This is the lowest classification level of information obtained by the government. It is defined as information that would "damage" national security if publicly disclosed without the proper authorization.
S - Secret. Material that would cause serious damage to national security if it were publicly available.
ODF - Operation Desert Fury.
SoAK - Sons of Al-Karbouli.
PMF - People's Militia Force.
RTO - Ramadi Theatre of Operations.
LoS - Line of Supply.
IAF - Iraq Armed Forces.
(S) Introduction
(S) The purpose of this document is to familiarize US forces deployed within the Ramadi Theater of Operations (RTO) with the capabilities, equipment and vehicles in use by the SoAK and People's Militia Force (PMF).
SECRET
At this time, it is assessed that the majority of vehicles and equipment highlighted in this report will likely be encountered by US forces. It is imperative that all troopers deployed within the RTO be familiar with these vehicles listed in this report.(S) SoAK ground forces
Fig. 1: SoAK fighters in front of a Marine patrol before the civil war began
(S) SoAK ground forces are trained/experienced in the employment and execution of what can only be described as basic Russian/ Middle Eastern conventional warfare doctrines. Most frontline elements from SoAK are drawn from former Iranian and Iraqi conventional forces, as well as a small cadre from SF units. Further, It is also anticipated that there are also former members of proscribed terrorist organisations amongst the rank and file of the SoAK, although numbers are unknown. Given this base level of experience, it is anticipated that SoAK leaders will deploy their forces, using proven conventional tactics, as well as supporting armoured and mechanised vehicles. Although not assessed as a threat at this time, SoAK leadership may also utilise short range IDF. With the level of warfighting/combat experience of the SoAK soldiers - it is highly likely that leaders will probably employ “hit-and-run” tactics against US forces.
(S) Following conventional doctrine, it is anticipated that SoAK infantry elements will be deployed in standard - Fire Team (FT) Squad (SQD) and Platoon (PLT) formations. Although, with the likelihood of SF elements being utilised - other sized formations, as well as smaller infiltration and PIED individuals/teams utilizing small arms and Suicide (S) vests are probable.
(S) As indicated in the previous paragraph, there are a number of SF qualified SoAK fighters that are likely to be deployed in the AO. Although there is no information as to the level of training these individuals have received it can be anticipated that a number of air assault or paratrooper-qualified personnel have been recruited into the SoAK.
(S) While no airmobile capability has been confirmed at this time, it is nevertheless a potential threat so long as SoAK forces have access to airfields and civilian and rotary aircraft within Anbar Province.
(S) SoAK Infantry Equipment
(S) Due to the nature of SoAK units it is probable that deployed elements will not be serviced by a substantial Line of Supply (LoS). At the tactical level it is likely that SoAK fighters will resort to local and battlefield looting to sustain their operations. At the operational level, supply lines from supporters within Syria and third nation sponsorship from Iran will likely continue to finance SoAK operations, however, due to enemy LoS intervention by Iraqi and US forces, it is uncertain at this time what the amount and type of quantifiable resupply is getting through to SoAK fighters. It is also possible that the SoAK is also receiving material support from supporters and benefactors within the Iraqi military - at this time though the quantity and quality of this support is unknown.
(S) Most SoAK fighters appear to be issued modern ballistic helmets capable of defeating common frag and pistol-caliber threats. Heavy vests containing ceramic plates proofed against intermediate rifle calibers are more or less standard for ground personnel. Generally SoAK fighters will wear Green/dark blue headdress/turban with Soviet-era chest rig and body armor as well as Orange camo uniform, sometimes mixed with civilian clothing.
(S) PMF ground forces
Fig. 2: PMF fighters (unconfirmed)
(S) The PMF is a militia force, raised to provide local security during the ISIS crisis of the previous decade. The PMF is a military or paramilitary force that comprises mostly civilian members, drawn from experienced fighters and enthusiastic civilians. As opposed to most of their Iraqi counterparts, the PMF has not been drawn into the Iraqi Armed Forces (IAF). The PMF commonly supports regular IAF operations by skirmishing, holding fortifications, or conducting irregular warfare. The PMF will not engage in offensive campaigns by themselves. However, they may engage in defense activities to protect a community, its territory, property, and laws. The PMF are generally armed and equipped to a ‘local' security force standard.
(S) PMF Infantry Equipment
(S) Most PMF fighters will be equipped with Green/dark blue headdress/turban, Soviet-era chest rig or no rig, no body armor and dark-colored robes. PMF infantry can easily mix in with the civilian population as their clothing, when not wearing a chest rig, is virtually identical to that worn by local civilians.
