Active 1973 - present Branch Jordanian Armed Forces Size Battalion | Country Jordan Type Special forces Current
commander Lt. col. Raad Amairah | |
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71st Special Battalion or 71st Counter Terrorism Battalion is a Jordanian Special Forces battalion that specializes in combating terrorism. Established in 1973, it is today known as being one of the best trained special forces units in the Middle East.
Operations
The battalion is thought to have participated in several operations.
In 1977, they participated in ending a hotel siege in Amman.
In 2006, following 2005 Amman Bombings, the battalion collaborated with the Jordanian intelligence agents in several operations which included the capture of Ziad Khalaf Raja al-Karbouly in Iraq.
In 2013, Crown prince Hussein participated in a training session with the 71st battalion members.
On 22 June 2014, responding to the threat of ISIS which captured the Iraqi city of Ar Rutba not far from the Jordanian border, the unit was dispatched to the area.
On 1 March 2016, the unit clashed with extremist militias in the city of Irbid in northern Jordan as part of the General Intelligence Directorate attempt to foil a terrorist plot against military and civilian targets in Jordan by ISIS affiliates.
The battalion was dispatched to the Kerak Castle, during the events of the 2016 Al-Karak attack.