Killed Baghdadi in 2019... What do we know about the American 'Delta' Force that arrested Maduro?

SadaNews - Sources revealed on Saturday that the "Delta" Force, part of the U.S. Army, arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. U.S. officials stated to CBS News that the Venezuelan president was apprehended early Saturday by elements of the "Delta" Force, which is the highest special operations unit in the U.S. Army.

The "Delta" Force was also responsible for the operation that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019.

Execution of the Baghdadi Pursuit Operation

In 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Special Operations forces, which were aboard 8 helicopters, flew for over an hour from an undisclosed location to reach a compound in northwestern Syria.

U.S. officials reported that these forces belong to the "Delta" Force of the U.S. Army. They breached the walls and faced heavy gunfire, resulting in the deaths of a significant number of enemy fighters in a firefight that lasted more than two hours.

After the soldiers cleared the compound, Baghdadi fled into a dead-end tunnel, taking with him three of his children. As police dog teams pursued him, Baghdadi detonated himself with an explosive belt, killing himself and his children. Trump stated that Baghdadi was "moaning, crying, and screaming all the way."

What do we know about the "Delta" Force?

The name of the "Delta" Force is synonymous with the elite special operations unit within the U.S. Army.

The force was established in 1977 and has been known by various names over the years within the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), including Combat Applications Group (CAG), Army Secret Unit (ACE), and Green Beret Task Force. Although it is administratively part of the army, the Joint Special Operations Command oversees the "Delta" Force.

The "Delta" Force specializes in counter-terrorism, direct action, hostage rescue, reconnaissance, and often conducts extremely sensitive covert operations directed by the highest levels of the U.S. government, highlighting the critical nature of its work.

The primary mission of "Delta" is counter-terrorism, which includes:

- Hostage rescue.

- Capturing and neutralizing terrorist forces.

- Gathering intelligence on terrorist threats. Other roles include:

- Personal protection (guarding important figures).

- Unconventional warfare.

Since its inception, "Delta" has distinguished itself with its proficiency in counter-terrorism operations. Its members possess high levels of skill in sniping, close-quarters combat, rapid and covert infiltration, bomb disposal, in addition to hand-to-hand combat. Over the years, "Delta" has accumulated extensive practical experience in aircraft, train, ship, and vehicle systems, enabling it to effectively intervene and control various scenarios in diverse environments. Regular training exercises with U.S. and foreign counter-terrorism units help maintain and continuously improve their skills and knowledge.

It is noteworthy that a team from the "Delta" Force is on standby for immediate response to any terrorist threat.

Origins of the "Delta" Force: A Response to Terrorism

In the 1970s, a series of prominent terrorist incidents convinced the U.S. government to create a specialized anti-terrorism unit. Colonel Charlie Beckwith, a veteran of the Special Forces, advocated for the establishment of this force, drawing inspiration from the British Special Air Service (SAS).

After years of pressure and overcoming resistance, the Pentagon and senior military leaders finally tasked Beckwith with leading the unit. He and his team prepared a document outlining a four-phase selection and training process to justify the time needed to build an effective and robust unit. This seasoned Special Forces veteran estimated that it would take two years to accomplish.

The "Delta" Force was officially established on November 19, 1977.

However, to fill the transition period until soldiers completed the rigorous selection process, Colonel Bob "Black Gloves" Montiel, from the 5th Special Forces Group, was tasked with forming a temporary unit.

In 1978, Montiel selected volunteers and subjected them to a 6-month training course that included land navigation and heavy lifting in rugged mountain environments. The goal was to thoroughly test these candidates physically and mentally.

The "Delta" Force was officially formed in the fall of 1979, perfectly timed for the Iranian hostage crisis. This crisis, and the subsequent failed operation "Eagle Claw" (1980), highlighted the need for further development of specialized units, such as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), also known as the "Night Stalkers," and the Navy SEAL Team Six, to support the "Delta" Force and enhance its capabilities.

The "Delta" Force was inspired by the British Special Forces "SAS," which has a similar structure and focuses on small, highly skilled teams. The unit is based at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, and estimates suggest that around 1,000 personnel are assigned, with 250 to 300 soldiers forming the "core elements" for operations.