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Situation
US and NATO activity around the airbase west of Incirkli had been growing for weeks. Over the same period local leaders and KRA officers kept disappearing, taken in American and CIA snatch raids.
The raids followed a pattern. KRA intelligence decided to use it.
Information placing rebel leader Farid Al-Hakim at his home in Ratyan was fed to American intelligence. The information was true. Al-Hakim agreed to stay put. He knew US reconnaissance would confirm him before the assault force committed, and that he had to remain visible until the raid was already running.
A contact inside the airbase named the 2 likely landing zones, Dust and Stone.
How it played out
7th Reconnaissance Platoon set concealed positions around the village, clear of the approaches from both landing zones.
The hard part came before the first shot. The platoon had to watch Dust and Stone without being seen, and let American reconnaissance finish its check undisturbed. One early contact would have cost the operation, and Al-Hakim with it.
The assault force was allowed to land and commit fully into Ratyan. Only then did the platoon open fire. Only then was the quick reaction force called forward from the next town.
Fire was kept off the village where it could be.
The Americans committed air almost at once, and left nothing behind worth taking.
Outcome
The raid was broken. Al-Hakim came out with the platoon, along with equipment and documents stripped from the site.
The airbase itself was not touched. The Americans were left with a failed snatch operation and no explanation for how it had been expected.
Shrike: Prelude
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