Commando
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Shayetet 13 drills to free civilian hostages at sea
In 24 hour drill, IDF elite commando unit carries out rescue operation envisaging siege of civilian vessel and kidnapping of ten hostages; IDF releases video showing commandos rappelling from a blackhawk chopper and entering the ship, weapons drawn, as they search for the kidnappers and their victims.
The IDF has released a video of the elite commando Shayetet 13 unit carrying out a special exercise simulating scenarios in which it is called upon to deal with kidnappings at sea on civilian vessels.
The drill was conducted over the last 24 hours and ended on Tuesday evening.
Shayetet 13 enters ship in 2-day drill (צילום: דובר צה''ל)
In the video, soldiers can be seen rappelling from a Blackhawk helicopter hovering above a ship and drawing their weapons before entering the ship as they search for the kidnappers and their victims.
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
In the exercise, the commandos practiced how to take control of a civilian vessel. The IDF said that the drill envisaged a scenario in which a distress call was received from a civilian ship alerting authorities of hijackers who had besieged the ship.
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
In the scenario, ten terrorists kidnapped the same number of hostages on a ship carrying security charges. Commandos positions on the shores are seen forming a plan of action based on intelligence to reach and seize the vessel to set the hostages free.
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Missile boats and warships from the Israeli navy also participated in the rescue operation exercise.
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Head of the navy shipyard, Brigadier General Ido, commented on the drill after its execution. “The nature of the navy's activity requires that its forces be trained in complex and challenging ways,” he said. “This drill was part of the annual training of the naval arm and it’s necessary in light of the multiple terror elements in the region.”
The navy carried out its mission,” he continued, “within the maritime borders and will always continue to train in order to defend the security of the State of Israel at sea.”
