Changes

===Battle of al-Bab===

===Battle of al-Bab===

According to various sources, Turkey had procured 354 Leopard 2A4 tanks from [[NATO]] ally Germany in the early 2000s. The acquisition had given Turkey a significant capability over its Patton M-60 tanks that constitute a bulk of the Turkey’s armored brigades.  Turkish Leopards’ crews were trained according to the highest NATO standards, but the machines were not adjusted to quickly changing battlefield conditions.

According to various sources, Turkey had procured 354 Leopard 2A4 tanks from [[NATO]] ally Germany in the early 2000s. The acquisition had given Turkey a significant capability over its Patton M-60 tanks that constitute a bulk of the Turkey's armored brigades.  Turkish Leopards’ crews were trained according to the highest NATO standards, but the machines were not adjusted to quickly changing battlefield conditions.

In December 2016, the Turkish General Staff decided to transfer to the Syrian front several Turkish Armed Forces battalions equipped with the Leopard 2A4 tanks. Meanwhile, Turkish situation in Operation Euphrates Shield was so bad that when the Turkish Army’s armored units got to the transfer point in southern Turkey, they immediately had to join the operation in neighboring Syria.  

In December 2016, the Turkish General Staff decided to transfer to the Syrian front several Turkish Armed Forces battalions equipped with the Leopard 2A4 tanks. Meanwhile, Turkish situation in Operation Euphrates Shield was so bad that when the Turkish Army's armored units got to the transfer point in southern Turkey, they immediately had to join the operation in neighboring Syria.  

In the middle of December 2016, the [[CIA]]-[[front]] [[Free Syrian Army]] (FSA) groups, supported by Turkish Armed Forces detachments and the Turkish Air Force, launched yet another offensive on al-Bab, a city heavily fortified by [[ISIS]] militants. [[Ankara]] was anxious to seize the agglomeration before it was reached by the Syrian Armed Forces or Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units. The fighting peaked between December 12-17, 2016, and December 16 proved to be particularly ill-fated. On that day, during another attack undertaken by the Turkish forces and the FSA on al-Bab’s western suburb, about 30 Leopard 2A4s and 10 to 12 M60Ts Sabra (which is Turkish modification of the tank done by the Israelis) were used. The potential was quite big, but the machines were sent to fight without proper cover of their own

In the middle of December 2016, the [[CIA]]-[[front]] [[Free Syrian Army]] (FSA) groups, supported by Turkish Armed Forces detachments and the Turkish Air Force, launched yet another offensive on al-Bab, a city heavily fortified by [[ISIS]] militants. [[Ankara]] was anxious to seize the agglomeration before it was reached by the Syrian Armed Forces or Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units. The fighting peaked between December 12–17, 2016, and December 16 proved to be particularly ill-fated. On that day, during another attack undertaken by the Turkish forces and the FSA on al-Bab's western suburb, about 30 Leopard 2A4s and 10 to 12 M60Ts Sabra (which is Turkish modification of the tank done by the Israelis) were used. The potential was quite big, but the machines were sent to fight without proper cover of their own

infantry, apart from several hundred FSA Syrians, mainly in Turkish armored combat vehicles (ACV-15 and Otokar Cobra), and several dozen TSK Special Forces soldiers. The weather was also not a friend of the Turks, below zero temperatures, cloudy skies, fog, and occasional snowfalls made it difficult for the air force and artillery to operate. On top of that,

infantry, apart from several hundred FSA Syrians, mainly in Turkish armored combat vehicles (ACV-15 and Otokar Cobra), and several dozen TSK Special Forces soldiers. The weather was also not a friend of the Turks, below zero temperatures, cloudy skies, fog, and occasional snowfalls made it difficult for the air force and artillery to operate. On top of that,

the attackers constantly had to struggle with mobile ISIS task forces equipped with heavy machine guns, [[RPG]]s and ATGM launchers. As a result, [[Caliphate]]’s militants not only successfully slowed down the Turkish Army’s attack, but also thwarted its command’s original plan. It was forced to divide the units into many smaller groups and attack the [[Islamist]]s’ separate resistance points. The Turks led themselves straight into the interrelated and complementary system of traps and ambushes prepared by ISIS.  

the attackers constantly had to struggle with mobile ISIS task forces equipped with heavy machine guns, [[RPG]]s and ATGM launchers. As a result, [[Caliphate]]’s militants not only successfully slowed down the Turkish Army’s attack, but also thwarted its command’s original plan. It was forced to divide the units into many smaller groups and attack the [[Islamist]]s’ separate resistance points. The Turks led themselves straight into the interrelated and complementary system of traps and ambushes prepared by ISIS.  

The consequences of the several-hour chaotic battle conducted in such conditions proved fatal for the Turkish Army’s elite armored forces. The Turkish Ministry of Defense, in addition to underestimating the threat, also has forgotten the design history of the indestructible Leopard 2, specifically designed to counter [[Soviet]] armored forces in the plains of northern Germany.

The consequences of the several-hour chaotic battle conducted in such conditions proved fatal for the Turkish Army's elite armored forces. The Turkish Ministry of Defense, in addition to underestimating the threat, also has forgotten the design history of the indestructible Leopard 2, specifically designed to counter [[Soviet]] armored forces in the plains of northern Germany.

For the records, Leopard 2 was not designed for combat in an urban environment. The project is not spoiled but was determined by the awareness and the need for greater maneuverability in the field. To achieve an optimal combination, the designers made the armor on the sides and on the back of the vehicle lighter than other western tanks.

For the records, Leopard 2 was not designed for combat in an urban environment. The project is not spoiled but was determined by the awareness and the need for greater maneuverability in the field. To achieve an optimal combination, the designers made the armor on the sides and on the back of the vehicle lighter than other western tanks.