Israel's Special Forces have earned themselves a high reputation in the world, which is based on the long and successful experience of using special forces in the constant armed struggle that the Jewish state has waged against its Arab neighbors and terrorists throughout its history. A maximum of information about the most secret units is collected in the forthcoming book of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies "Between Peace and War: Special Operations Forces."
The formation of special forces in Israel began with the creation of a group of paratroopers "Tsanhanim" (platoon, then company composition, later deployed in the 890th paratrooper battalion) as part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as well as a special reconnaissance platoon in the 1st infantry brigade "Golani". In 1951-1952, the IDF also had the so-called 30th division (company composition), focused on fighting Arab rebel and sabotage groups. In 1953, under the leadership of Ariel Sharon, the 101st unit of up to 50 people was created specifically to carry out armed actions outside Israeli territory, which is considered the first full-fledged Israeli special forces unit.
It was soon merged with the 890th Airborne Battalion, led by Sharon. In 1956, together with the newly formed 88th Territorial Airborne Battalions and 771st Reservist Battalions, the 890th served as the basis for the deployment of the 35th Infantry Brigade (in fact, the Parachute Brigade, bearing the corresponding name "Parachute"). It was she who for a long time remained the basis of the special forces of the IDF.
In the late 1950s, reconnaissance companies ("Palsar") began to form in the combined-arms brigades of the Israeli army, which, although they were intended to solve traditional tasks of military reconnaissance, actually carried out sabotage and "raider" actions in Israeli conditions. The further development of these companies in the elite and most active IDF brigades (Parashutnaya, Golani, Givati, Nahal) by the early 2000s led to their evolution into special purpose battalions (Gadsar). Several separate special forces battalions were created. Some of them were united in the 89th Oz commando brigade, the creation of which was a stage in the development of the Israeli special forces forces.
In 1957, on the model of the British SAS, the Sayeret Matkal (General Staff Reconnaissance, also known as the 262th or 269th Division) special forces unit was created to conduct reconnaissance and sabotage operations outside Israel. Their special forces have appeared in the Navy (13th Flotilla) and the Air Force ("Shaldag" - "Kingfisher") of Israel.
After the major terrorist attacks in the early 70s, counterterrorism has become one of the main tasks of special forces in Israel.
The Israeli special forces are divided into the so-called outer circle ("intervention forces") - these include Sayeret Matkal, the 13th flotilla, YAMAM - elite units focused on reconnaissance, sabotage and anti-terrorist actions, including abroad, and "internal", which includes "military" special purpose units of the IDF, intended for reconnaissance and operations in the border and occupied territories.
Forces of the "outer circle"
Sayeret Matkal
This unit is under the direct control of the IDF General Staff and is involved in the most difficult tasks both abroad and inside Israel. Subordinate to the Chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (AMAN).
The data on Sayeret Matkal are classified, but it is believed that the number of the unit does not exceed 200 people. All military personnel have parachute training and several military specialties. Presumably, the unit consists of a command section, three combat detachments, a special detachment for operations at sea (including as combat swimmers) and a supply group.
The training of personnel at Sayeret Matkal is said to be the most intensive of all Israeli special forces units. The selection is initially carried out among volunteer recruits and training according to special methods takes about two years. The first four months on the basis of the "Parachute" brigade conduct a standard course for a young soldier, then - three-week classes in a parachute school, then - training directly at the "Sayeret Matkal" lasting 18-19 months, which ends with a 120 km march, which is a kind of initiation to obtain a red beret.
Upon completion of the course and tests, the fighter signs a contract for at least another year (in addition to the year of his remaining military service). Thus, getting to Sayeret Matkal, a soldier serves four years instead of three. However, almost all of them renew their contracts in the future, so some of them are completely professional.
13th flotilla
The 13th Flotilla of the Israeli Navy ("Shayetet 13") is the oldest Israeli special forces formation. Along with underwater reconnaissance and sabotage operations, the main forms of using the 13th Flotilla are the landing of reconnaissance and sabotage groups from the sea, as well as the seizure of ships. Given the constant involvement of the flotilla (in recent decades) for operations in the Gaza Strip, it is believed that at present ground operations prevail in the list of the main tasks of the unit's activities.
The 13th Flotilla is divided into three specialized groups ("Plugat") of the company equivalent - the most numerous "raid" ("Plugat Khapotsim") for ground and anti-terrorist operations, surface operations (on boats), and combat swimmers. There is also a training detachment. The flotilla is deployed at the Atlit naval base near Haifa.
The recruitment and training of personnel for the 13th flotilla is similar to that of Sayeret Matkal - volunteers are also selected from among the recruits. Their training includes a six-month infantryman course based on the Nahal brigade, a three-week parachute school course, a three-month special-purpose preparatory course (with an emphasis on naval training and swimming) and a one-month scuba diving course, followed by a basic 12-13 month course. directly in the 13th flotilla. Here they are already distributed according to specialties and into three specialized groups of the flotilla. After that, a one and a half year contract is concluded with the fighter (in addition to the main three-year term of military service). Thus, the initial service life of a soldier in a unit is 4.5 years.
Shaldag
A special unit (5101st) of the Israeli Air Force was created from the Sayeret Matkal reservists. Initially, its main task was advanced air guidance and target designation, then the main thing was the rescue of air force crew members on enemy territory, as well as the anti-terrorist struggle, already traditional for Israeli special forces. As a result, "Shaldag" is a kind of "departmental" special forces of the Air Force, not too different from the "Sayeret Matkal". Deployed at the Palmachim airbase. The training course for Shaldag fighters takes 22 months, since it includes the study of navigation, forward air guidance and target designation, and reconnaissance in the interests of the Air Force.
YAMAM
YAMAM is an acronym for Special Central Unit or Special Police Unit. This is the "main" anti-terrorist detachment in the country (like "Alpha" in Russia or GSG-9 in Germany). The current number is about 200 people.
Formally, YAMAM specializes in the release of hostages, but in fact it is used to perform the widest range of tasks.
According to Israeli sources, YAMAM closely cooperates with the Israeli security service "Shabak" and is currently actually playing the role of its direct power tool.
They go to serve in YAMAM under a contract. Any soldier of the army, police and border service under the age of 25, who has served at least three years in combat units and has completed the course of squad commanders, can become a candidate. The contract is signed for three years with the right to renew for several terms. All applicants undergo an intensive training program for a period of 13 months.
Ariel Sharon went from corporal to general in the IDF. He headed the division "101", which became the prototype of "Sayeret Matkal". He personally supervised many spetsnaz operations. Among the soldiers he enjoyed indisputable authority and immense popularity.
Ehud Barak Ehud Barak commanded the Sayeret Matkal special forces, was one of the main developers of the commando raid on Entebbe. At the age of 37 he received the rank of brigadier general, in 1971 - the appointment to head the General Staff of the IDF.
Moshe Ya'alon Moshe Ya'alon made Sayeret Matkal a brilliant career, the time when he commanded the special forces is called one of the most prosperous. In 1995, he was appointed chief of military intelligence. Three years later - Commander of the Central Military District. In 2002, he was the head of the Geshtab of the IDF.
