A BRAVE dog saved the lives of six SAS soldiers who were out on patrol in northern Syria after they were ambushed two months ago.

The unit were on a routine patrol with the unnamed Belgian Malinois, a breed of sheepdog, when they were attacked from all sides in what was described as a “360 degree ambush.”

3 Dama, a Belgian Malinois, is looked after at Camp Bastion Credit: PA:Press Association

They had just entered a small village in a convoy of armoured vehicles and got out of the vehicles to continue the recce on foot.

But shortly after leaving their vehicles they were attacked by waiting jihadis.

The SAS soldiers returned fire but the jihadis still closed in.

According to the Daily Star, the animal then leapt into action and tore the throat of one of the gunmen.

3 The Belgian Malinois saved the lives of six SAS soldiers Credit: PA:Press Association

3 A Syriam woman walks with a cane past a destroyed car down a street in Al-Hirak Credit: AFP or licensors

It then attacked two others, leaving them seriously wounded before the remaining six ambushers fled.

A source told the paper: “The SAS found themselves in a 360-degree ambush.

“The initiative was with the terrorists and the only hope for the British was to try and make a run for it.

“The handler removed the dog's muzzle and directed him into a building from where they were coming under fire.

“They could hear screaming and shouting before the firing from the house stopped.

“When the team entered the building they saw the dog standing over a dead gunman.”

While the incident is said to have taken place two months ago, details have only emerged now due to security reasons.

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“His throat had been torn out and he had bled to death,” the source continued, “There was also a lump of human flesh in one corner and a series of blood trails leading out of the back of the building.

“The dog was virtually uninjured. The SAS were able to consolidate their defensive position and eventually break away from the battle without taking any casualties.”

The SAS commander in charge of the patrol credited the dog with directly saving the lives of all six of the men.

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