The Martyr Haroun Units employ drone tactics similar to those used in the Ukraine war, with a strategic focus on disabling and destroying enemy vehicles. This approach was notably observed during attempts by SNA forces to advance toward the Tishrin Dam using Turkish-supplied armored vehicles. According to Militant Wire, 57% of the unit's strikes observed during the battle for the Tishrin Dam targeted vehicles.[9]
Operations are coordinated from semi-fixed command rooms, sometimes located in tunnels, equipped with multiple screens and ground support equipment several kilometers behind the front line, while rapidly deployable drone teams using portable ground-control stations provide additional tactical flexibility.[9]
The unit primarily uses commercially available drones, such as DJI Mavic and Autel models, modified to drop repurposed VOG-17 grenade munitions or configured as loitering (“kamikaze”) drones carrying adapted RPG warheads. According to Militant Wire, the unit’s drone operations consisted primarily of FPV attacks (63.7%), followed by explosive drops (36.3%).[9]
According to Intelligence Online, the Kurdish drone unit received training by two former U.S. Army Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group, who are affiliated with the Forward Operations Group (FOG), a community of special forces veterans, set up by former U.S. soldier Derrick Bales. Furthermore the publication reported that Kurdish fighters receive this kind of drone pilot training at the so-called Rojava Drone School, where they are provided with access to specialized drone simulation software. U.S. trainers reportedly provided the unit with instruction in drone programming and the establishment of in-house production units using 3D printers. They also shared manufacturing schematics originating from Ukraine and conducted training courses for the unit on systems programming and the use of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras. Several more FOG members are involved in the fundraising and delivering of components.[6]