photos by IRAQI COUNTER-TERRORISM SERVICE
The Warrior Competition, held annually at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) in Jordan, is one of the most prominent and grueling military tests in the world. This event brings together special forces, elite units and rapid response teams from around the world, placing them in a competitive environment that simulates the harshest conditions of unconventional combat.
In the 14th edition of the competition, held in October 2025, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) took
first place among the 38 participating delegations from
23 countries. It represented a strategic milestone exemplifying the qualitative leap and high-level professionalism achieved by the service.
The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service’s relentless pursuit of first place was not merely a desire to add a new title to its list of achievements, but rather a carefully considered sovereign and tactical decisions.
Winning first place in a competition involving major armies and technologically advanced countries clearly demonstrates the skills of Iraq’s “Golden Warriors” in direct combat. The achievement proves that the Iraqi combat doctrine, forged in the crucible of complex urban warfare against Daesh, has become a global model.
Today’s Iraqi fighter possesses not only innate courage but also tactical discipline and the ability to adapt technology to the task at hand, making the service a formidable force in the international special forces equation.
In the world of intelligence and counterterrorism, combat reputation is an effective deterrent. Such accolades breed fear among terrorist organizations and their surviving remnants. The force pursuing them through valleys and tunnels is not merely numerically superior, but rather a tactical unit possessing the highest standards of marksmanship, physical endurance and mental agility under pressure.
Iraq’s achievement at KASOTC changes the nature of Iraq’s international military interactions. Instead of being merely a training ground, Iraq becomes an advisory reference for other countries. This superiority reinforces Iraq’s defense diplomacy, as friendly and brotherly countries seek to establish training partnerships with the service to benefit from its combat experience.
Training partnerships
The success story of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service cannot be separated from the strategic cooperation with the international coalition, led by the United States, which contributed to its institutional structure in line with the highest international standards.
Since its inception, the service has been subject to intensive supervision and training by U.S. special forces. This support was not limited to individual skills but also included the development of an integrated institutional system based on strict selection and training standards. This has led to the creation of fighters capable of carrying out surgical operations that require extreme precision to minimize collateral damage, which we see clearly in competitions that require surgical precision in shooting and storming occupied buildings.
The ICTS possesses an arsenal of technical equipment and tactical weapons provided through its partnership with the U.S., ranging from precision weapons and specialized armored vehicles to encrypted communications systems and advanced night vision. This equipment is not just for show. It is a crucial element in the international warrior competition, which requires equipment that reliably performs in difficult weather and terrain, giving the Iraqi team technological confidence that matches its field skills.
The international coalition has contributed to developing the service’s ability to manage complex operations that require coordination between ground intelligence efforts and close air support. This skill is evident in competition scenarios that simulate hostage rescues in hostile environments, where split-second coordination is required, something the service has mastered thanks to years of working with international advisors.
Finishing in first place at KASOTC represents a turning point in Iraqi collective consciousness, with digital platforms becoming arenas for extraordinary national celebration. As soon as the results were announced, the official social media accounts of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Defense rushed to publish details of the victory.
These statements were not merely official congratulations, but rather were political messages emphasizing the recovery of the state and Iraq’s ability to protect itself.
The leadership considered this victory to be practical proof of the readiness of Iraqi forces to take full and independent control of security, thereby strengthening the Iraqi negotiator’s position in international strategic dialogues.
Hashtags such as #القبضة_الذهبية
(The Golden Fist) and #أبطال_مكافحة_الإرهاب (Heroes of the Fight Against Terrorism) swept across social media platforms in Iraq (X, Facebook, TikTok). Bloggers and activists posted videos of the service, combining footage of the competition with images of previous victories, creating a sense of national pride that united Iraqis of all stripes.
Military analysts on satellite channels and specialized blogs focused on the technical value of the victory, pointing out that the team not only excelled in points, but also broke records in shooting on the move and tactical climbing. This performance was described as a “tactical earthquake” that redefined the balance of power among elite forces in the Middle East, confirming that the Iraqi service now possesses a unique combat “genetic fingerprint” that combines Western strength with Middle Eastern field experience.
Praise for Jordan
It is impossible to talk about the Warrior Competition without praising the pivotal role played by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as a guardian of regional security
and stability.
KASOTC is an icon of global training. Built with
the visionary insight of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, this center represents an unparalleled training facility in the region. Expressing gratitude to Jordan is not merely a courtesy, but rather recognition of this center’s contribution to providing a training environment that simulates reality with astonishing accuracy.
This has helped hone the skills of Arab and friendly special forces to confront the existential threats posed by armed groups and cross-border terrorist organizations. Jordan’s continued hosting of this competition despite regional challenges reflects a deep-rooted commitment to support brothers and friends. By doing so, Jordan is not only providing a competitive arena but also a platform for unifying military doctrines and exchanging lessons learned, thereby contributing to the creation of a united front against violent extremism.
This participation and celebration reflect the depth of security coordination between Baghdad and Amman. In Jordan, Iraqi soldiers find a professional and brotherly environment that encourages them to give their best, which reinforces the concept of common Arab security in the face of contemporary challenges.
The Warrior Competition is considered a vital laboratory that allows the military to remain at the forefront of global military development. During the competition, Iraqi fighters come into contact with the latest products from global arms manufacturers, including loitering munitions, thermal imaging, and tactical communications equipment. This interaction allows the service to assess its future needs based on real field observations, rather than just marketing presentations.
The competition includes complex events such as tunnel clearance, close-quarter combat in urban environments, and casualty evacuation under fire. These scenarios are accurately translated into the training curricula at the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Academy, ensuring that local training always keeps pace with the latest developments in the art of guerrilla warfare and international counterterrorism.
The importance of Iraq’s participation goes beyond purely military aspects to touch on concepts of the state’s soft power. The appearance of highly disciplined fighters from the service who are committed to the rules of engagement sends a message of reassurance to the international community and stakeholders that Iraq has overcome the stage of chaos and that it has a professional regular force capable of protecting its sovereignty and foreign investments.
Iraq’s involvement in international and regional military forums reinforces the concept of defense cooperation, which reduces the chances of misunderstandings between countries and creates an environment of mutual trust necessary to combat cross-border terrorism and smuggling networks that target the security of all without exception.
The participation of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service in the 14th International Warrior Competition and its ability to advance and reach first position is not just a story of sporting success, but an epic achievement that reflects a successful strategic combination of Iraqi determination, international support from the coalition and the U.S., and the professional embrace of our brothers in Jordan. Iraq’s “golden fist” ensures that Iraq remains an impenetrable fortress against the storms of extremism and an active player in the stability of the region and the world.