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Inside the ‘olympic games’ of MENA's special forces

Published April 15th, 2016 - 06:55 GMT

Reverberation from the desert canyon walls makes it difficult to tell where the sound is coming from - but then, there's the harsh crack of a sniper fire. Soldiers sprint through city streets to storm a building, and a human-sized form is hauled out and loaded onto a truck. Officers shout in Arabic, Russian, English and Pashto. This isn’t a real war, but the scenes mimic a not-so-distant urban battlefield.

At Jordan’s King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) - built with an initial $90 million from the US - special ops teams from around the world compete in war games, while semi-retired contractors have the latest defense gear and weapons for sale. As special forces teams break up militant cells from Iraq to Belgium, a glimpse into their world is another way to understand the fight against Daesh.  (Photos by Lindsey Leger)

 

 

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A parachuter from Jordan 71st counter-terrorism battalion prepares to land during the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center near Amman, Jordan on April 19, 2015. This annual military competition brings together elite special operations teams from around the world.

A parachuter from Jordan 71st counter-terrorism battalion prepares to land during the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center near Amman, Jordan on April 19, 2015. This annual military competition brings together elite special operations teams from around the world.

The Palestinian team walks toward their first exercise following the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition. While some of the teams were members of armed forces, several, including the Palestinian team, were police or belonging to intelligence services.

The Palestinian team walks toward their first exercise following the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition. While some of the teams were members of armed forces, several, including the Palestinian team, were police or belonging to intelligence services.

Jordan's team rests in the shade of a sandstone cliff before the Warrior Competition "urban assault" event where soldiers rush over a dirt verge, storm a building in a mock city, and rescue a hostage. Jordan's special forces have joined the ongoing fight against Daesh, when a militant cell was uncovered in northern city, Irbid.

Jordan's team rests in the shade of a sandstone cliff before the Warrior Competition "urban assault" event where soldiers rush over a dirt verge, storm a building in a mock city, and rescue a hostage. Jordan's special forces have joined the ongoing fight against Daesh, when a militant cell was uncovered in northern city, Irbid.

Jordan's team prepares for "Top Gun", an event where soldiers - shooting at distant targets with three different weapons - are judged for speed and accuracy. Finalists included Jordan and the US; Jordan ultimately placed first. Jordan and the US have long cooperated militarily, and jointly run this state-of-the-art training center.

Jordan's team prepares for "Top Gun", an event where soldiers - shooting at distant targets with three different weapons - are judged for speed and accuracy. Finalists included Jordan and the US; Jordan ultimately placed first. Jordan and the US have long cooperated militarily, and jointly run this state-of-the-art training center.

The Lebanese Armed Forces gather their gear before heading to the next event in the Warrior Competition. Different teams from Lebanon competed, including the Black Panthers, part of the Lebanese intelligence service.

The Lebanese Armed Forces gather their gear before heading to the next event in the Warrior Competition. Different teams from Lebanon competed, including the Black Panthers, part of the Lebanese intelligence service.

The Colombia team participates in the “desert stress shoot” event in the Warrior Competition near Amman, Jordan, on April 21, 2015. The military competition is not just limited to the Middle East, but also brought teams from North and Central America and Asia.

The Colombia team participates in the “desert stress shoot” event in the Warrior Competition near Amman, Jordan, on April 21, 2015. The military competition is not just limited to the Middle East, but also brought teams from North and Central America and Asia.

The all-women's Unit 30 SWAT Police team from Jordan competes in the three-gun gauntlet during the Warrior Competition. Jordan was the only country with a women’s team in the running at the competition.

The all-women's Unit 30 SWAT Police team from Jordan competes in the three-gun gauntlet during the Warrior Competition. Jordan was the only country with a women’s team in the running at the competition.

Commander Malik Al-Abbadi, leader of the Jordanian team, is photographed during the desert stress shoot at the seventh annual Warrior Competition.

Commander Malik Al-Abbadi, leader of the Jordanian team, is photographed during the desert stress shoot at the seventh annual Warrior Competition.

The Jordan team participates in the Airbus seizure event, in which a team boards a passenger aircraft during a “hostage” situation and shoots a suspected militant.

The Jordan team participates in the Airbus seizure event, in which a team boards a passenger aircraft during a “hostage” situation and shoots a suspected militant.

During the “hostage rescue,” team members had to storm a building, shoot at moving targets, and carry their casualty to a waiting truck to leave the area.

During the “hostage rescue,” team members had to storm a building, shoot at moving targets, and carry their casualty to a waiting truck to leave the area.

Teams from various countries relax together and cheer on their teammates during the first event of the Warrior Competition, "Top Gun." Here, it’s normal to see soldiers from Chechnya, Afghanistan, Brunei, and Canada chatting together.

Teams from various countries relax together and cheer on their teammates during the first event of the Warrior Competition, "Top Gun." Here, it’s normal to see soldiers from Chechnya, Afghanistan, Brunei, and Canada chatting together.

Members of the American and Canadian teams cheer together and watch the remaining teams compete in the "Top Gun" event at the seventh annual Warrior Competition. “It’s a little surreal,” one American soldier said. “You never know what guys you see here today might be fighting each other in a couple of years.”

Members of the American and Canadian teams cheer together and watch the remaining teams compete in the "Top Gun" event at the seventh annual Warrior Competition. “It’s a little surreal,” one American soldier said. “You never know what guys you see here today might be fighting each other in a couple of years.”

A parachuter from Jordan 71st counter-terrorism battalion prepares to land during the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center near Amman, Jordan on April 19, 2015. This annual military competition brings together elite special operations teams from around the world.
The Palestinian team walks toward their first exercise following the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition. While some of the teams were members of armed forces, several, including the Palestinian team, were police or belonging to intelligence services.
Jordan's team rests in the shade of a sandstone cliff before the Warrior Competition "urban assault" event where soldiers rush over a dirt verge, storm a building in a mock city, and rescue a hostage. Jordan's special forces have joined the ongoing fight against Daesh, when a militant cell was uncovered in northern city, Irbid.
Jordan's team prepares for "Top Gun", an event where soldiers - shooting at distant targets with three different weapons - are judged for speed and accuracy. Finalists included Jordan and the US; Jordan ultimately placed first. Jordan and the US have long cooperated militarily, and jointly run this state-of-the-art training center.
The Lebanese Armed Forces gather their gear before heading to the next event in the Warrior Competition. Different teams from Lebanon competed, including the Black Panthers, part of the Lebanese intelligence service.
The Colombia team participates in the “desert stress shoot” event in the Warrior Competition near Amman, Jordan, on April 21, 2015. The military competition is not just limited to the Middle East, but also brought teams from North and Central America and Asia.
The all-women's Unit 30 SWAT Police team from Jordan competes in the three-gun gauntlet during the Warrior Competition. Jordan was the only country with a women’s team in the running at the competition.
Commander Malik Al-Abbadi, leader of the Jordanian team, is photographed during the desert stress shoot at the seventh annual Warrior Competition.
The Jordan team participates in the Airbus seizure event, in which a team boards a passenger aircraft during a “hostage” situation and shoots a suspected militant.
During the “hostage rescue,” team members had to storm a building, shoot at moving targets, and carry their casualty to a waiting truck to leave the area.
Teams from various countries relax together and cheer on their teammates during the first event of the Warrior Competition, "Top Gun." Here, it’s normal to see soldiers from Chechnya, Afghanistan, Brunei, and Canada chatting together.
Members of the American and Canadian teams cheer together and watch the remaining teams compete in the "Top Gun" event at the seventh annual Warrior Competition. “It’s a little surreal,” one American soldier said. “You never know what guys you see here today might be fighting each other in a couple of years.”
A parachuter from Jordan 71st counter-terrorism battalion prepares to land during the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center near Amman, Jordan on April 19, 2015. This annual military competition brings together elite special operations teams from around the world.
A parachuter from Jordan 71st counter-terrorism battalion prepares to land during the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center near Amman, Jordan on April 19, 2015. This annual military competition brings together elite special operations teams from around the world.
The Palestinian team walks toward their first exercise following the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition. While some of the teams were members of armed forces, several, including the Palestinian team, were police or belonging to intelligence services.
The Palestinian team walks toward their first exercise following the opening ceremonies of the seventh annual Warrior Competition. While some of the teams were members of armed forces, several, including the Palestinian team, were police or belonging to intelligence services.
Jordan's team rests in the shade of a sandstone cliff before the Warrior Competition "urban assault" event where soldiers rush over a dirt verge, storm a building in a mock city, and rescue a hostage. Jordan's special forces have joined the ongoing fight against Daesh, when a militant cell was uncovered in northern city, Irbid.
Jordan's team rests in the shade of a sandstone cliff before the Warrior Competition "urban assault" event where soldiers rush over a dirt verge, storm a building in a mock city, and rescue a hostage. Jordan's special forces have joined the ongoing fight against Daesh, when a militant cell was uncovered in northern city, Irbid.
Jordan's team prepares for "Top Gun", an event where soldiers - shooting at distant targets with three different weapons - are judged for speed and accuracy. Finalists included Jordan and the US; Jordan ultimately placed first. Jordan and the US have long cooperated militarily, and jointly run this state-of-the-art training center.
Jordan's team prepares for "Top Gun", an event where soldiers - shooting at distant targets with three different weapons - are judged for speed and accuracy. Finalists included Jordan and the US; Jordan ultimately placed first. Jordan and the US have long cooperated militarily, and jointly run this state-of-the-art training center.
The Lebanese Armed Forces gather their gear before heading to the next event in the Warrior Competition. Different teams from Lebanon competed, including the Black Panthers, part of the Lebanese intelligence service.
The Lebanese Armed Forces gather their gear before heading to the next event in the Warrior Competition. Different teams from Lebanon competed, including the Black Panthers, part of the Lebanese intelligence service.
The Colombia team participates in the “desert stress shoot” event in the Warrior Competition near Amman, Jordan, on April 21, 2015. The military competition is not just limited to the Middle East, but also brought teams from North and Central America and Asia.
The Colombia team participates in the “desert stress shoot” event in the Warrior Competition near Amman, Jordan, on April 21, 2015. The military competition is not just limited to the Middle East, but also brought teams from North and Central America and Asia.
The all-women's Unit 30 SWAT Police team from Jordan competes in the three-gun gauntlet during the Warrior Competition. Jordan was the only country with a women’s team in the running at the competition.
The all-women's Unit 30 SWAT Police team from Jordan competes in the three-gun gauntlet during the Warrior Competition. Jordan was the only country with a women’s team in the running at the competition.
Commander Malik Al-Abbadi, leader of the Jordanian team, is photographed during the desert stress shoot at the seventh annual Warrior Competition.
Commander Malik Al-Abbadi, leader of the Jordanian team, is photographed during the desert stress shoot at the seventh annual Warrior Competition.
The Jordan team participates in the Airbus seizure event, in which a team boards a passenger aircraft during a “hostage” situation and shoots a suspected militant.
The Jordan team participates in the Airbus seizure event, in which a team boards a passenger aircraft during a “hostage” situation and shoots a suspected militant.
During the “hostage rescue,” team members had to storm a building, shoot at moving targets, and carry their casualty to a waiting truck to leave the area.
During the “hostage rescue,” team members had to storm a building, shoot at moving targets, and carry their casualty to a waiting truck to leave the area.
Teams from various countries relax together and cheer on their teammates during the first event of the Warrior Competition, "Top Gun." Here, it’s normal to see soldiers from Chechnya, Afghanistan, Brunei, and Canada chatting together.
Teams from various countries relax together and cheer on their teammates during the first event of the Warrior Competition, "Top Gun." Here, it’s normal to see soldiers from Chechnya, Afghanistan, Brunei, and Canada chatting together.
Members of the American and Canadian teams cheer together and watch the remaining teams compete in the "Top Gun" event at the seventh annual Warrior Competition. “It’s a little surreal,” one American soldier said. “You never know what guys you see here today might be fighting each other in a couple of years.”
Members of the American and Canadian teams cheer together and watch the remaining teams compete in the "Top Gun" event at the seventh annual Warrior Competition. “It’s a little surreal,” one American soldier said. “You never know what guys you see here today might be fighting each other in a couple of years.”

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