71st Special Battalion

71st Special Battalion or 71st Counter Terrorism Battalion is a Jordanian Special Forces battalion that specializes in combating terrorism. Established in 1973, it is today known as being one of the best trained special forces units in the Middle East. The battalion is thought to have participated in several operations; ending the Intercontinental hotel siege in Amman in 1977, in Afghanistan and Iraq. Following 2005 Amman Bombings, the battalion collaborated with the Jordanian intelligence agents in several operations which included the capture of Ziad Khalaf Raja al-Karbouly in 2006 in Iraq. In 2013, Crown prince Hussein participated in a training session with the 71st battalion members.

Responding to the threat of ISIS who in June 2014 captured the Iraqi city of Ar Rutba not far from the Jordanian border, the unit was dispatched to the area.