The unique weapon in the arsenal of the Israeli special forces
The material was previously published in "Russian newspaper“One of its actors, an employee of the Jewish Agency“ Sohnut ”, an expert on“ hot spots ”in the former Soviet space Lev Schegolev told about one of the operations of the Israeli special forces almost through 20 years.
The route of the Israeli special forces Tel Aviv - Dushanbe
As Shchegolev told, in the fall of 1992, Israeli special forces began preparations for the landing of troops in Dushanbe. He, in turn, was ordered to arrive as a tourist in the capital of Tajikistan. Then there began a civil war. Ariel Kaplan, who was an employee of the secret bureau "Nativ" of the Government of Israel, secretly arrived with him along with him. The purpose of their secret mission was the organization and removal from the republic engulfed in the war of several thousand Jews who remained here.
Lev Shchegolev says that three days after his arrival he woke up in a hotel room from the sounds of machine-gun bursts and numerous explosions coming from behind the window. Israeli secret agent recalls: “Bullets flew past the windows. To get to the corridor, it was necessary to crawl out ".
Under such conditions, the fulfillment of the assigned task also became practically impracticable. Since a civilian was not able to freely travel around the country, which, moreover, was divided by numerous armed formations into separate enclaves. And in Dushanbe, fierce street battles did not stop. All diplomatic channels did not work.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that emissaries of Iranian special services and Afghan groups were operating almost uncontrollably in this republic. They actively supported local Islamic separatists. Those were a mortal threat not only to Jewish families, but also to Russians.
The Israelis were able to establish contact with a certain Mikhail Kimyagarov. He was an extremely influential person with numerous acquaintances, relatives, and also had extensive connections in political parties and various structures. Then Kimyagarov was in the position of senior teacher, and also was deputy dean of the faculty for advanced training of school principals in Tajikistan and chairman of the Cultural Center "Hovery" (Friends). He managed to establish a good relationship with the Israeli Embassy in Moscow.
Meanwhile, the already tense situation in Tajikistan has become even more aggravated. In this republic, both diplomats and Sohnut employees were afraid to appear. In the 1991 year, Ariel Kaplan and Miki Levin, agents of the Israeli Secret Intelligence Service Nativ, illegally arrived there. However, having assessed the situation, they soon had to leave Tajikistan.
As soon as the new secret Israeli agents arrived, the people of Mikhail Kimyagarov stepped up their activity. They arranged Israeli emissaries for a safe flat, managed to organize meetings with employees of the Dushanbe airport, customs, OVIR and other influential officials. Nativ has begun to develop an evacuation plan for thousands of Jews from Tajikistan to Israel.
Key question: “What is the evacuation route?”
Then there were no direct flights from Tajikistan to Israel. At first it was necessary to go to Moscow by train, then - to Tashkent. Such trips were extremely dangerous: trains often stopped, robbed people, abused, killed. Israel offered to organize flights through Omsk, but this did not eliminate the problem - direct flights from Dushanbe to Tel Aviv were necessary.
Yet the Israelis took the risk. At the height of the civil war, in 1992, the first plane made a flight Dushanbe - Tel Aviv. After some time, 20 boards went to Israel. Thus, over six thousand people were evacuated from this hell of war. As Kimyagarov told, the bribes flowed into the pockets of border guards, customs officers and simply bandits. But for those Jews who still remained, the situation became aggravated - a wave of violent anti-Israel propaganda and anti-Semitism swept over the city and its environs.
After Leo Shchegolev and Ariel Kaplan, the hunt began.
It was at that time that the evacuation plan of the Jews arose with the help of the Israeli special services and the army - something like the operation “Moshe”, which was carried out in Ethiopia in the 80s.
This operation included the gathering of Jews in the center of Dushanbe in a hotel and in a large synagogue. Next on the outskirts of the city was scheduled to land troops from several hundred special forces. They were obliged to take the people to the airport, where they were awaited by airplanes. But soon the situation in Dushanbe stabilized after another bloodshed. And from this operation, coupled with great risk, it was decided to give up.
Mikhail Kimyagarov himself miraculously managed to avoid the death of 1993 in March. Then Islamists invaded his home. At first, he hid with his Uzbek neighbor. Then he deceived the border guards and customs officers, flew the next flight to Israel.
Stalin's ghost wanders spetsnaz barracks
There is an opinion that it seems that Generalissimo Stalin himself personally initiated the creation of the promised special forces on Earth. A very controversial proposition, however, the very idea of creating Israel as a state, as opposed to the influence of Great Britain in this region, occurred to him. An irrefutable fact remains that at that time a whole stream of officers and officers of the NKVD-MGB, who had enormous experience in sabotage and operational work, rushed to Palestine.
There is information that Stalin then seconded to Israel two military generals of the ground and aviation troops, vice admiral of the Navy, eight lieutenant colonels and five colonels, up to a thousand officers of junior command staff to organize direct work on the spot. All of them had a corresponding entry in the "fifth column" of the questionnaire, and then they wished to repatriate to their historical homeland. It was then that transport deliveries through Czechoslovakia began weapons and military equipment.
The formation of the army, counterintelligence, intelligence and police began. At the same time, military clashes with the British regular troops began, and later with Bedouin tribes. It was then that some officers from the GRU and the MGB "distinguished themselves".
Israeli historians are of the opinion that the creator and first leader of the Israeli intelligence "Mossad" and the Shin Bet counterintelligence service was Captain Halperin, better known as Iser Harel. One of his first successful special operations was the discovery and kidnapping of Nazi Adolf Eichmann in Buynes Aires. He was responsible for the "final solution of the Jewish question" in fascist Germany.
The Smersha officer, Livanov, who later adopted the Jewish name Nechimiya Levanon, became the founder of the Nativa Bar Foreign Intelligence Service. Captain Nikolsky, officers Malevanny and Zaitsev stood at the origins of the creation of the army special forces "Tsahal." Two former naval officers fleet The USSR (their names are unknown) created and trained the local division of naval special forces.
Israeli "Cherry"
In Israel at the end of the twentieth century there was an order of 20 special forces teams for various purposes. Basically they were subordinated to the Israeli defense forces, partly - the police, some - the border troops (MAGAV). Special forces also appeared in the Mossad and Shabak counterintelligence structures. It will be mainly about some.
The most famous of them is the special forces unit "Duvdevan" ("Cherry"). He also received the designation "Unit 217". It was formed in 1987, almost immediately after the start of the first intifada - the war for the liberation of Palestine. Duvdevan was supposed to fight terrorism on the west bank of the Jordan River. A similar detachment - "Shimson" ("Samson") - operated in the Gaza Strip. First, the unit was staffed by military personnel who had moved from other elite units. Their main goal was the elimination of terrorist groups in the occupied territories.
Despite the fact that the level of training of fighters was extremely high, at the very beginning there were often failures, most often due to inconsistent actions. The detachment was formed in a hurry, and the fighters did not have time for joint training and testing of certain operations. One of the first known successful operations, Cherry implemented in 1988 in Hebron. Then the Fatah leader in Hebron, Mahmoud Farooq, was ambushed. His two assistants were also killed.
It was not easy to get into this squad. First, it was necessary to pass a three-day test for physical endurance. All applicants were obliged to run with a load up to 30 kilograms, push off from the floor and be resilient to various physical activities. If the candidate endured these tests, then he went to a special camp. The future fighter was there for up to six months: he learned to shoot from any distance from any position, be able to overcome various obstacles, made many kilometers of forced marches and studied hand-to-hand combat. At the end of this six-month period, the most important exam began. Candidates made an 90 kilometer-long march loaded with 40 kilograms, with the last 10-15 kilometers they had to run. The one who passed this exam was granted the right to wear a red beret.
To get the right to wear the red beret, as in Russia, tests of this kind are carried out twice a year - in summer and in winter. In addition, summer marches take place in the hottest period - 30-40 degrees, in winter - during heavy rain.
Those who successfully pass the exam, get in "Duvdevan." There, each fighter receives a personal pistol, and he is given the rank of junior sergeant.
But on this heeling "cherries" does not end. To the usual loads now added more courses on the correct orientation of the terrain, as well as enhanced classes of hand-to-hand combat. Most of the Cherry fighters are fluent in judo and karate techniques. They learn to locate houses from photographs taken from airplanes and helicopters. There are also exercises to seize buildings. Soldiers of the detachment rush into the building through the roof, doors and windows. But this special forces for the release of hostages is not intended. For these purposes, there are completely different units both in Israel and beyond its borders.
The Cherry fighters' arsenal includes: a shortened version of the American M-16 rifle, a SIG-SAUERR pistol, a grenade launcher and a BARET sniper rifle. Do not overlook the "cherry" and the famous "Kalash" and RPG-7.
Road "Egoz"
The most successful unit of the Israeli Special Forces is considered to be the “Saeret Egoz” detachment. It was formed in 1956 year, and the Druze were his first fighters. "Egoz" for sabotage had to penetrate into Syrian territory. What character sabotage is officially classified. Although some former special forces "Egoz" say that their main goal then was the elimination of the officers of the senior commanders of the Syrian General Staff. But soon the Israeli military leadership decided to abandon the sabotage and sent Egoz to the Israeli-Lebanese border to patrol it.
A little later, in 1963, it was decided to reorient Egoz to fight terrorism in the north. This was done by Colonel Shaike Erez.
Special Forces conducted a series of successful operations in Lebanon against Arab terrorists, and later, in 1973, distinguished themselves in Syria.
At the beginning of 1995, Egoz was given new challenges. Then the leadership of the detachment took over General Amiram Levin. The fighters began to study methods of conducting anti-partisan war, particularly in the mountains and the forest.
Also, the selection of fighters has become tougher. The applicants underwent a five-month “course of the young fighter”. The program of this "course" included: the study of all types of firearms, overcoming many kilometers of forced marches with a complete set, the weight of which ranged from 15 to 30 kilograms. After the end of the "course" - an exam consisting of a march in 80 kilometers over rough terrain. About 30 percent of applicants are eliminated at the end of the course and exam.
After this comes the stage called “oil” (“Path”). Candidates during this stage study the following anti-terrorism courses: parachute training, topography, hand-to-hand combat, special vehicle driving, mountain training. Then the soldiers are sent to a special training center for anti-partisan wrestling (“Beit ha-Sefer le-Lohama Ba-Gerilia”). Here is the study of various methods of penetration into enemy territory, survival in the wooded mountainous terrain, camouflage, the ability to attack bases and strongholds. Just before the end of the course, the future elite fighter is being exhausted by endless marches with the development of a wide variety of combat situations. After the "oil" is completed, the fighters are still training hard for several weeks. Some of them are sent to courses on mine-blasting and sniping.
However, the most powerful strike group is considered a company of deep intelligence "Mistaravim", which means "disguised as Arabs". It was created in 1987 year. This squad is staffed not only by representatives of Arab countries, but also by Jews from Europe. The company carries out its activities in the Palestinian Authority. Their main task is the search, arrest and, if necessary, the destruction of terrorists. As soon as the fighters get into this company, an additional three-month training is conducted with them. Each fighter from this company can collect a mine from any available materials, as well as neutralize a mine of any design. All of them are fluent in Arabic, and it is almost impossible to distinguish them from the Arabs. All sabotage carried out in secret.
There is no escape from the dog
There are currently three main special forces units in Israel: Sayeret Matkal, Jamaam and C-13. Sayeret Matkal operates outside of Israel. Jaamam carries out operations on the territory of Israel itself, and C-13 operates on the sea coasts of both Israel and beyond.
Each unit consists of assault, support and auxiliary groups. The assault group consists of 28 special forces, and it is divided into three platoons: main, high-altitude and sniper. The latter is divided into pairs: the observer and the shooter. Both have the same training and can replace each other. High-altitude is equipped exclusively by climbers and can penetrate objects from above - through chimneys, along the wall and other channels.
There are three times as many security groups as assault groups. In the confrontation with the terrorists, they are not directly involved. Basically, they create a cordon and isolate the area of operation of attack aircraft. They also act as signalers, scouts, specialists in mine clearance and electronic suppression.
All special forces units are divided into zones that correspond to military districts: Central, North and South. There are three divisions in the Central Military District, two in the North, and four in the South. The 5010 unit (Sayeret Shaldag squad) is assigned to the Southern Military District. It can operate throughout Israel. That is why it also includes a squadron of helicopters.
There is also a detachment 7149 (the so-called battalion "Kalbia"). It stands alone and is deployed at the Sirkin airbase. Its main "weapon" are about 120 specially trained dogs. These animals are equipped with 4 companies: combat strike, service-search, search and rescue, and mine-search.
What is included in the terms of reference of the last three companies is clear in name. But in the composition of the combat shock company "work" specially trained dogs of particularly aggressive breeds: bull terriers, rottweilers and mastiffs.
Such a “dog” special forces can instantly detect among the hostages of terrorists, even under the condition that everyone is dressed the same way. They can immediately determine who is armed, so pounce on him. When a ferocious beast bursts into a room, it usually triggers a "weapon of psychological influence." It has a stunning effect on terrorists. Thus, the actions of the attackers are facilitated many times. Most often, in such circumstances, none of the militants have the slightest chance of escaping detention. For him, there can be an alternative or death from dog tusks, or - from a Special Forces bullet.
Rumor of the invincibility of the Israeli special forces
It should be noted that the myths about the invincibility of the Israel Special Forces fighters, to put it mildly, are exaggerated. Still, some information leaks to the media, although the military leadership of Israel is trying to carefully conceal information about its losses in elite units.
Three soldiers from the reconnaissance company of the Nahal Brigade were ambushed by Palestinian resistance fighters at the beginning of 1997, and killed. Then, in the battle, three soldiers and three officers of the reconnaissance company of the Saeret Tsankhanim paratroop brigade are killed. Moreover, the officers behaved absolutely ineptly in this case. At first they did not conduct a reconnaissance mission, and then recklessly rushed to the attack, instead of conducting a competent regrouping of the unit.
And finally, at the end of the summer of 2000, a tragedy occurred. She strongly shaken the faith of the Israeli government in the highest professionalism of Cherry. During one of the operations to seize the most dangerous and wanted by Israel Palestinian terrorist - Abu Hunuda - Special Forces soldiers not only let him out of their hands, but also mistakenly managed to shoot three of their fighters. Until now, it is hidden by a veil of secrecy, as a group of maritime commandos from "Scheet-13" was completely destroyed.
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