Wild_Hunt

My question is regarding to ISIS prisoners. Do you ever capture any? Or do they fight to the death? If so how are prisoners treated in general.

Considering how isis treats its prisoners have ypg fighters taken revenge on isis captives?

Why are ISIS/ISIL's tactics so effective? Is it similar to the Vietnamese tactics during the Vietnam War; attacking small patrols and bases, then fleeing and blending in with the local population in a city or town? Or do they have a different strategy entirely?

Many of their successes can be put down to the weaknesses of their opponents rather than their own competence. Look at the massive advances they made in Iraq in June 2014, capturing Mosul etc. The Iraqi army wasn't militarily defeated, they ran. In Syria many advances have been made because the Syrian forces are weakened due to fighting a multi sided, multi fronted civil war. In regards to tactics, I feel that ISIS are less formidable than the Vietnamese during the Vietnam war. Their tactics are certainly a lot more conventional than previous Islamist groups like Al Qaeda for example.

Where does their money come from? Oil?

Oil (many theories to who buys it), ransoms, smuggling, human trafficking, donations from rich, sympathetic individuals etc

Where do they get weapons? Do their heavier weapons/vehicles and small arms come from different sources?

Largely captured from the Iraqi or Syrian militaries or bought on the black market

Are you ever told what to do of protesters get violent? Have you ever wanted to punch one?

1) Any historical parallels or precedence which the US and allies can learn from while conducting Inherent Resolve?

2) In your opinion what how long will it take to sufficiently degrade Islamic state?