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(Voluntary) Boots on the Ground: A Look at the Vigilantes Fighting ISIS

As world powers continue to withhold deploying troops in Syria to fight ISIS, some people have taken matters into their own hands.

Vigilantes from at least 13 countries and states are now fighting ISIS in Syria.

Factions are loosely-affiliated.

Never Surrender: Dutch biker gang

Veterans Against ISIS: US military vets

Lions of Rojava: YPG US arm

FRAME: Vigilante smugglers

White Shroud: Secret guerrilla militia

AMO: US group trains civilians

SOLI: US group trains civilians

NPU: Trained by AMO/SOLI

Vigilantes fight alongside a multifarious front.

MLKP: Turkish communists

YPG: Kurdish militia group

PKK: Kurdish militants (labeled terrorists by US)

YPJ: All-female militia

And come from an array of backgrounds.

Surf Instructor

English Teacher

Military Vet

Philosophy Student

Actor

Highway Technician

House Painter

The number of vigilantes isn’t clear.

400-500 Volunteers

150 Americans [*approximated by US government]

But they’re dwarfed by foreign recruits.

20,000 ISIS Foreign Fighters / 31,000 Total ISIS Fighters = 65%

40X [X, as in, times] Anti-ISIS Vigilantes

The typical US path into battle is long and dangerous.

Contact vigilantes on social media.

Fly to Poland.

Connect to Turkey.

Drive through border into Iraq.

Assume disguise.

Move through safe houses.

Hike into mountains.

Cross Tigris River into Syria.

And it’s not cheap.

Min. Estimated Airfare: $1,600

Min. Estimated Baggage: $400

What To Take: Items Received:

Body Armor Spare firearms

Helmet

Fatigues

20+ sock pairs

10+ underwear

Toiletries

Food rations

Some vigilantes receive $100 monthly stipends. Most get nothing.

The good news? If you want to join, there’s no stopping you.

It’s legal, and nearly 100% of vigilantes have made it to Syria.

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