Daesh using common drones to aim attacks

Daesh militants are using off-the-shelf drones equipped with cameras to spot targets and hone their mortar and rocket fire.

The technology has become increasingly important for the militants as ground operations by local peshmerga fighters and allies such as Canada have succeeded in pushing back Daesh positions.

When Canadians first arrived here in the fall of 2014 to begin their training mission, Daesh fighters were close to the positions held by peshmerga soldiers.

The Daesh forces have since been forced back — out of easy visual range. As a result, they have begun utilizing the same drones that have proven popular among photographers and real estate agents.

Only in this case, Daesh extremists are using the drones to hone their fire.

That has increased the risks of indirect fire, mortar and rocket attacks launched by militants without direct line of sight.

Col. Andrew Milburn, the U.S. Marine who commands coalition special operations forces in Iraq, said the use of drones drives home the “paradox” of the enemy they face.

“There’s country bumpkins and there’s very clever dudes,” he told the Star, adding that Daesh are “technically, very competent.”

While the quality of Daesh rankand-file soldiers has suffered as the fight has dragged on, the “middle level management” in the organization is “very, very proficient,” Milburn said.