《打擊ISIS》是一部紀錄退休士兵和志願人士前往敘利亞和伊拉克，結合當地義勇軍共同打擊伊斯蘭國的原創紀錄片。
恐怖組織ISIS在引起西方國家的注意前，早已經在中東地區造成威脅。ISIS的犯行比蓋達組織來得更兇殘，利用敘利亞內戰未休和美軍退出伊拉克的情勢，在兩地召集重兵，2014年時一邊揮舞「伊斯蘭國」的旗幟大規模攻城掠地一面殺害與奴役反抗的人，引起全世界關注。以美國為首的西方國家兵力因此介入並支持當地軍人打擊伊斯蘭國，但一拖就是好幾年。
許多來自西方國家的志願人士因為無法坐視不管ISIS對中東的破壞，來到前線加入打擊伊斯蘭國的行列。本片拍攝加入敘利亞人民保護部隊的美國志願軍，以及在伊拉克支持當地軍人的醫療人士，記錄他們如何設法奪回遭到伊斯蘭國佔領的主要城市。
A group of veteran and civilian volunteers who travel to Syria and Iraq to fight against ISIS alongside local militias in the original documentary series, “Hunting ISIS.”
The terrorist organization known as ISIS emerged as a menace in the Middle East years before most in the West took notice of their attacks abroad. More brutal than Al Qaeda before them, ISIS took advantage of chaos caused by Syria’s still-raging Civil War and the United States’ withdrawal from Iraq to recruit heavily in the region. In 2014, the world watched as they swept across Iraq and Syria, capturing wide territories and ruthlessly killing or enslaving anyone who showed signs of resistance as they declared themselves the “Islamic State.” Local forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition of western military powers began fighting back, but progress has taken years.
Not content to sit back and watch ISIS devastate the Middle East from afar, scores of western volunteers have since traveled to region to join the fight against the terrorist group. Through the eyes of American fighters embedded with the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria, and medics supporting a coalition of local forces in Iraq, “Hunting ISIS” follows these men as they begin the difficult push to retake ISIS’ capital cities.
Completely unpaid and unsupported by their governments, western volunteers have many reasons for joining the fight. Some are military veterans craving the familiar adrenaline rush and brotherhood of combat, who shoulder a sense of unfinished business in the Middle East. Some are civilians eager to test their mettle while searching for a greater purpose. All are united in their determination to defend the innocent and end the atrocities being committed by ISIS. With unprecedented access, this documentary series witnesses their unique role in one of the defining conflicts of our time, exploring what’s driving these men to war.
