The G36 is popular and in demand

Herbert Lang is the managing director of the security company Trans Atlantic Viking-Security (TAV) based in Erbil, Northern Iraq, for eight years now. He works directly in the crisis area and on the front line against the Islamic State/Daesh. There is a lot of talk in the news about German support measures and the fight against Daesh. We at SPARTANAT wanted to hear from a source on the ground about the current situation and how the assistance to the Kurds is being received. SPARTANAT author Udo Lücken conducted the interview. 

SPARTANAT: Mr. Lang, many wonder how could such an aggressive, extroverted movement like ISIS form and group together almost unnoticed at the beginning of 2014?

Herbert Lang: The intelligence services did notice the growth of the ISIS cloud quite early and of course monitored it extensively. The invasive expansion was therefore not as surprising as falsely portrayed in many media outlets. Nevertheless, it is true that ISIS was initially underestimated as a threat. Hardly anyone seriously believed that their actions could lead to such a strong destabilization of the entire region.

SPARTANAT: Have the support deliveries from the German government to the Kurdish Peshmerga since September 2014, including armored vehicles, light weapons, and numerous other equipment, shown effectiveness and relief in the fight against ISIS?

Lang: That can be answered with a clear yes. The already easy-to-use anti-tank weapons of the German Bundeswehr, such as the MILAN and the Panzerfaust 3, have repeatedly halted advances of ISIS militants at various frontlines and even pushed them back. There is now greater caution and restraint in their advances.

Herbert Lang, TAV

SPARTANAT: How would you assess the enforcement and endurance of the Peshmerga militia before and after the German equipment deliveries?

Lang: The Kurds in the northern Iraqi autonomous region are a very proud ethnic group, and it is an honor for them to fight with the Peshmerga units. Peshmerga, which roughly translates to "those who face death in the eye," are highly motivated, but the basic infantry knowledge of most fighters is rudimentary at best. And although the delivery of infantry weapons signifies a technical upgrade in combat capability, it is still like a drop in the bucket. A large part of the 500 MILAN anti-tank missiles and the 1,000 Panzerfaust 3 rounds have already been used up in constant defensive battles. The German Army's training of selected Kurdish soldiers on anti-tank weapons has shown its value in action. The first-hit rate against armored vehicles and fortified positions of ISIS is very high and has significantly boosted the confidence of the Peshmerga.

SPARTANAT: How do the Peshmerga handle the G3 and G36 rifles?

Lang: Most militiamen are used to the compact and simple AK-47 and struggle with the strong caliber and heavy weight of the G3. Conversely, the G36 is very popular among them and in high demand. It is only given to selected, experienced fighters. However, many Kurdish soldiers mistakenly consider the reflex sight to be an active laser and complain accordingly about the apparent defect. The training of the Bundeswehr should be longer and adjusted for these trainers.

SPARTANAT: Is there any cooperation with TAV on-site - in the picture above: Roll call at the TAV base with vehicle inspection - and the Bundeswehr?

Lang: We maintain close contact with the relevant authorities and provide support to the best of our abilities. Our German PSD teams have been providing personal protection for coalition forces and Iraqi armed forces across Iraq for years with a large fleet of specially protected cars and even buses. As we know, the Bundeswehr will soon announce the support services for the upcoming training contingent in Northern Iraq. TAV-Security meets the necessary requirements, considers itself up to such a challenge, and will of course participate in the tender.

SPARTANAT: Why do the continuous air strikes by the coalition forces against ISIS forces show little lasting effect?

Lang: The highly fragmented and highly mobile units of ISIS are difficult to identify from the air and often hide in villages, towns, and cities with civilians as human shields. The US Air Force deliberately avoids collateral damage among the civilian population. In case of doubt, the pilots prefer to abort the attack. Especially in densely populated areas like Mosul, this is a big problem. The aircraft can only support ground troops on specific orders or in the vicinity of the town.

SPARTANAT: How should the "loyalty oath" of the Boko Haram group in Nigeria to ISIS be evaluated?

Lang: This is pure pragmatism. Boko Haram wants to ride an attention wave. Nevertheless, this group should be considered a serious threat to the fragile peace in the region. Their operations have a signaling effect and could spark a larger revolt. The warring tribes of the Sahel region are already in a phase of orientation and are looking for a leader. A charismatic leader could now easily take advantage of this situation, even under the banner of ISIS.

Text: Udo Lücken - Photos: TAV - The interview was first published in the "Newsletter Defense", issue 11/2015. Reprinted with the author's and NV's kind permission.