Though out history small groups of partisans have used asymmetric warfare against large organized armies.
Even our American revolutionaries constantly harassed and terrorized the British with asymmetric skirmishes causing fear and forcing the British to expend vast resources they would otherwise be able to use on the battlefield. Our own campaigns in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan were fraught with asymmetric war against our organized army, often with great success.
Let me first say, I’m strongly opposed to sending American troops to lead the fight against ISIL. America isn’t the first one in line to be attacked by ISIL, it’s the countries in the region that should be most concerned. Let them be on the frontline. The west should be willing to provide the support the locals need, but not our blood.
For the first time, what we consider a terror organization has become organized into a state and is working and moving as a standard army. So, perhaps it’s time for us to reverse our role and become the asymmetric counterpart.
We should train a few locals on the art of Special Forces and provide them with information, logistics and transportation to kill and terrorize ISIL forces. Martial arts taught me if your opponent is more concerned about his own pain, he’s probably thinking less about dishing out pain to you. Send in snipers to hunt down and kill ISIL leaders. Raid groups of ISIL fighters to kill, destroy and terrorized their camps. Create havoc and fear wherever possible. Get them more worried about themselves and looking over there own shoulder's then straight ahead.
I hope you’ll have more suggestions to offer on asymmetric warfare against ISIL?