The mystery of the world's 10 most elite special forces.

(Baonghean.vn) - Countries around the world all possess at least one special force to undertake a series of specific missions with extremely rigorous selection and training processes.

1. Delta Force (USA)

Delta Force, whose full name is The First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, is responsible for hostage rescues, reconnaissance, assault, counterterrorism operations, and other direct combat operations. Delta Force was established in 1977 following growing concerns about powerful terrorist groups.

2. US SEAL Team

SEAL is the shortened name for the U.S. Navy's Special Warfare Deployment Group, which operates at sea, on land, and in the air. Established in 1962, it is currently the most elite special forces unit in world history, best known for successfully eliminating terrorist leader Osama bin Laden (leader of the Al Qaeda terrorist group) on May 2, 2011.

3. Alpha Team (Russia)

Established in 1974, Alpha Team gained notoriety during the 1979 conflict in Afghanistan. At that time, Alpha Team members secretly infiltrated the Presidential Palace in Kabul and eliminated most of the insurgents. In 1985, a group of Alpha Team members was sent to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, to rescue four Soviet diplomats. Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, Alpha Team continued to exist and participated in numerous counter-terrorism operations, notably the terrorist attacks and hostage-taking at the Moscow Opera House in 2002 and the Beslan School in 2004.

4. SAS (British Special Forces)

The SAS (Special Air Service) is a British special forces air force established in 1941 and is considered a benchmark special forces unit worldwide. The SAS's primary mission is to conduct special military operations and counter-terrorism operations both domestically and internationally. The SAS also assists in training special forces soldiers from other countries, providing instruction in guerrilla warfare and combat in unexpected situations.

5. GIGN National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (France)

GIGN stands for National Gendarmerie Intervention Group – the French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, based in Satory, near Paris, and is France's main counter-terrorism special forces unit. GIGN was established in 1974 after the killing of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the hostage crisis at the Saudi Arabian embassy in Paris.

6. JTF2 Task Force – Canada

Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) was established in 1993 and, following the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, has expanded to include hundreds of members, focusing on special missions and counter-terrorism operations. JTF2 has participated in escorting important figures and providing security at major events such as the 2010 Winter Olympics. This force has also been involved in numerous large-scale operations, including hostage rescues in Iraq and the elimination of Serbian snipers in Bosnia.

7. SSG Special Forces Team (Pakistan)

The SSG (Special Services Group) is a special forces unit of the Pakistani Army, established in 1956, modeled after the US Special Forces and the British SAS. Out of four elite officers applying, only the most outstanding are selected for a nine-month training program encompassing a wide range of activities, including practical and theoretical lessons on tactics, hand-to-hand combat, weapons use, parachuting, and physical fitness, conducted in jungles, deserts, rainforests, and swamps.

8. Sayeret Matkal Special Forces (Israel)

Sayeret Matkal is Israel's special forces unit, focusing on reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and hostage rescue operations outside the country. Established in 1957 to fill gaps in the Israeli military, Sayeret Matkal members are selected from candidates with the best physical and intellectual attributes.

9. Shayetet 13 (Israel)

Shayete 13 is a special Israeli naval organization established in 1948, involved in most military operations in the country, such as hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, and espionage. Shayete 13's most notable operation was the hunt for and elimination of the ringleaders of the attack on Israeli athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympics.

10. EKO-Cobra Special Forces Team (Austria)

The EKO-Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) special task force was established with the primary mission of counter-terrorism after an attack on Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympic Stadium in 1972. The organization comprises 450 members selected from a list of the best officers in the Austrian federal police force.

Peace

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