Royal Marine Ambushed, Blown Up, & Nearly Kidnapped By Al Qaeda

Retired Royal Marine Commando Lee West joins us on Urban Valor to recount the moments when he was nearly kidnapped by Al Qaeda at a checkpoint in Baghdad. Lee served from 2003 to 2020, rising to the rank of Color Sergeant, and brings a firsthand account of frontline combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his second deployment to Afghanistan, Lee was ambushed and blown off his feet by a massive IED blast. His story includes undercover work in the Calais migrant camps while still on active duty, revealing shocking flaws in UK border security. Watch as Lee opens up about brotherhood, trauma, and the sacrifices soldiers make—both on and off the battlefield. 👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation. 🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well! ✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday! Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories. Video Chapters: 00:00 - Ambushed on Patrol 04:09 - Growing Up in Swansea 07:21 - Early Interest in the Military 10:59 - Choosing the Royal Marines 14:15 - Passing Commando Selection 18:15 - Brutality of Marine Training 21:30 - Lessons from Early Marine Life 28:25 - Graduation Day & First Posting 35:12 - Surviving Arctic Warfare Training 38:24 - Deployment to Iraq Begins 42:21 - Forming a New Special Forces Unit 46:02 - First Missions in Baghdad 50:04 - Friendly Fire & Chaos of War 53:26 - The Reality of Combat Loss 57:24 - Nighttime Snatch Attempt by Al Qaeda 1:00:42 - Saved by a US Convoy 1:07:37 - Hostage Rescue Training 1:11:54 - Helmand Surge Deployment 1:15:27 - On the Ground in Afghanistan 1:23:02 - “Fix Bayonets” in Live Combat 1:26:23 - Jungle Warfare Instructor Course in Brunei 1:30:39 - Blown Up by IED in Yak Chal 1:34:15 - Continuing the Mission Despite Trauma 1:38:17 - Final Stand in the Village of Fad 1:46:11 - Training Replacements for Afghanistan 1:49:49 - Medical Discharge and the Fallout 1:57:45 - Losing Purpose After Leaving Service 2:05:54 - Struggles with Alcohol & Isolation 2:09:22 - Why Simplicity in Combat is Missed 2:13:33 - PTSD vs. Lack of Purpose 2:16:51 - Undercover as a Homeless Veteran 2:20:45 - Smuggling Into the UK as a Migrant 2:24:12 - Rebuilding Life & Staying Sober #military #warstories #urbanvalor #royalmarinecommando #royalmarines