Chapter 1986 - 1442: Fire of Greed (Part 3)

For them, war is not a distant concept but a way of life.

Since they can remember, there has never been a lull in gunfire on this land— the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the 1515 uprising, the Battle of Mosul in the Northwest...

Generation after generation, born in war, grown up in war, and very likely to die in war.

Billions of US Dollars in military arms?

Just another gamble, with their own lives as the stakes. The odds of winning are slim, but once they win, everything could change.

Why not take the gamble?

Diyala Province border mountains, 1515 Remnant cave stronghold.

The atmosphere here is starkly different.

No excitement, no noise, only a solemnity akin to a religious ceremony.

About two hundred 1515 Armed members gathered in the cave, all dressed in black robes, faces covered, only their eyes visible. They sat cross-legged on the ground, listening to the Commander's sermon.

The Commander was a one-eyed man, codenamed "Harris," meaning "Guardian." He lost an eye during the Battle of Mosul but successfully led two hundred core members to break through and escape to the mountain area near the Siria border.

"Brothers, Allah has granted us an opportunity."

Harris's voice echoed in the cave, trembling with a kind of neurotic excitement.

"Those heretics are transporting Satan's weapons across our land. These weapons were initially intended for slaughtering Muslims, but now, Allah has delivered them into our hands!"

The cave resounded with a low chant: "Allah is the greatest! Allah is the greatest!"

"Intelligence shows the convoy is heavily guarded with helicopters and armored vehicles."

The single eye of Harris gleamed with fervor.

"But do not fear! Allah is with the steadfast! Remember the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)? 'Prepare against them whatever force and steeds of war you are able to muster'!"

He drew a dagger from his waist and raised it high: "Today, we will acquire the power that Allah has granted! We will use these weapons to rebuild the Caliphate! We will use these weapons to punish the traitors who betrayed the faith! We will use these weapons to make the enemy tremble at our feet once more!"

The fervent atmosphere reached its peak. The armed men drew their weapons, raising them overhead, releasing beast-like howls.

But Harris turned around, and facing several squad leaders, the fervor on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by cold calculation.

"The actual plan is this." He lowered his voice, spreading out a map: "We do not engage the convoy head-on. We set up an observation post three kilometers from the ambush point, wait for the Dulaim tribe and the Jabur Tribe to strike first. Once they've fought to mutual destruction, we cut in from the flank, use car bombs to breach the convoy's defense, then quickly loot and swiftly retreat."

One of the squad leaders hesitated: "Commander, we only have two car bombs left, and the quality of the explosives is poor, they might not penetrate the armored vehicles..."

"Then use RPG concentrated fire." Harris said coldly: "We have fifty RPGs, all aimed at one point, it should open a gap. Remember, our goal is not to annihilate the enemy or seize all the cargo. We have only one objective—"

He tapped on the map with his finger: "Those advanced night-vision devices. With these, our battle against the Russians and Americans and their Kurd dogs in Siria will not be as difficult!"

This was the true objective of the 1515 Remnant.

In today's siege by the United States, Russia, and the Silia Government Army, what they lacked most was not rifles or ammunition, but night vision and anti-air capabilities.

With advanced night vision equipment, they could regain mobility.

"But other tribes are also watching..."

"Let them seize it then." Harris revealed a cruel smile: "Once they've got it, we can seize it from them. In this place, the most dangerous time is often not when seizing the goods, but after they've been seized."

The squad leaders understood. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Let these foolish tribal armed forces be the cannon fodder, to bear the brunt of the attack, and then they come in to clean up the aftermath.

A perfect plan.

If all goes well.