The Terrorists Fighting the Terrorists

According to Al Jazeera, there is what many consider to be a terrorist organization fighting against ISIS, also what many consider to be a terrorist organization. This terrorist organization fighting ISIS is known as the PKK. Al Jazeera got the rare chance to spend some time with a unit from PKK. While there, they met Jacko, the leader of the unit, and his teammates. All of his teammates were no older than 25 years of age. This unit also had a very unique, yet effective style of building searches. While Jacko would supply overwatch with his SVD Dragunov designated marksmen's rifle, or DMR, his teammates would weave their way in and out of the buildings of Sinjar. All of this was in the search for members of ISIS or supplies. Jacko was quoted saying, "ISIL is on the defensive. We have built up a front line inside the city. We are standing by. Any move from them and we will act." He also stated that, "We are currently, more or less, alone on the front lines. There are no peshmerga with us. The coalition forces do not take our advice. They should listen first to the fighters on the front line. But we understand that this is a result of state politics." It is quite amazing that such a small unit has been able to hold such a large portion of a city without reinforcements or supplies from any large government. However, the PKK cannot push ISIS further back, as they just simply do not have the supplies or manpower to do so. All the PKK can do is hold ISIS where it is, mostly with long-range fire from DMRs and sniper rifles. Although, the PKK was not always performing acts that aided the world, such as riding it of a terror organization like ISIS. In 2007, President George W. Bush declared the Kurdish rebels (PKK) "an enemy to Turkey, a free Iraq and the United States." This statement was for their earlier confrontations against Turkey, which involved guerilla warfare, kidnappings, and bombings. While I commend the PKK's fight against ISIS, I cannot say that I support them simply out of their immoral actions that had been committed previously. However, I cannot say that I wish for them to disappear, as they are attempting to destroy a great evil in this world, so hopefully after ISIS is defeated, the PKK does not become what they had attempted to defeat.

Military Arms Channel clarifies the difference between

the terms DMR and sniper rifle. Just for anyone who

was curious.