Tag Archives: FSA
Update: Alleged CW munitions in Syria
This piece is an update to my two earlier pieces examining the unidentified munitions alleged to have been used in chemical weapons (CW) attacks in Syria. It should be stressed that this is still a preliminary analysis of the photographic and videographic material available. It is still not clear whether these munitions carried a CW payload, nor are their […]
Alleged CW munitions in Syria fired from Iranian Falaq-2 type launchers
Note: this piece is intended as a follow-up to my earlier, preliminary analysis of the unidentified munitions claimed to have been used to deliver chemical agents in Syria. It will repeat a little of the material covered in the earlier piece as it is intended to be translated and made available in Arabic. It should be stressed […]
Preliminary analysis of alleged CW munitions used in Syria
UPDATE: I have posted an update containing several important details. UPDATE 31/08/2013: A second update including more details is available here. In recent days, the world’s attention has been focused on the alleged chemical weapons (CW) attacks in Syria. This post will seek to examine the alleged delivery system used in these attacks, and provide a preliminary analysis […]
Anti-Assad fighters in Syria modify PG-7 projectiles
Anti-Assad fighters from the Mujahid Battalion of the Caucasus Emirate have posted a Russian-language video to their website, outlining how to modify the VP-7M type fuze to disable the self-destruct mechanism present in PG-7 type warheads. Typically, these warheads self-destruct at around the 920m mark. Disabling this feature extends the maximum range of the weapon, though […]
9K338 Igla-S and other MANPADS in Syria
The image above, a screenshot from a recently uploaded video, appears to show a fully assembled 9K338 Igla-S (NATO reporting name: SA-24 Grinch) in the hands of rebel forces in Syria. The fighters, from the Alasala Watanmia Front, exhibit four different man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) in the video uploaded on May 30, 2013. From left […]
Alleged CW delivery systems in Syria are more likely less-lethal munitions
Recently, both sides involved in the fighting in Syria have accused the other of chemical weapons (CW) use. Remnants of similar items were found in two alleged chemical attacks in Saraqeb, Idlib and Sheikh Maqsoud, Aleppo. Eliot Higgins has gone into a little more detail on the items in question. Whilst the munitions can not be conclusively […]
Submunitions in Syria: additions and updates
Following are two more safety sheets I produced for the RRMA, as part of a package provided to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to support their ongoing efforts in Syria. The content of these is drawn largely from previous posts here. There are one-sheets for the ZAB-2.5 incendiary and Sakr Type B submunitions, as well […]
Sakr 122mm Cargo Rockets & Submunitions in Syria
Recently, Sakr 122mm cargo rockets and their submunitions have been observed within Syria. This family of 122mm rockets is designed for use with the Russian BM-21 multiple rocket launcher (the so-called ‘Grad’, or ‘hail’) and other 122mm systems such as the Chinese Type 81 SPRL and Egyptian RL-21 and RC-21 launch vehicles. These surface-to-surface multiple […]
9K79 Tochka Tactical Ballistic Missile Launchers in Syria
A 9M79-1 missile being fired in Kazakhstan during exercise Combat Commonwealth 2011. Credit: Grigoriy Bedenko. The 9K79 Tochka (Точка; ‘point’) tactical ballistic missile launcher has been identified in a recent video from Syria, seen below. Whilst the YouTube video misidentifies the system as a ‘Scud’, it is almost certainly a 9K79, also referred to as […]
Differential Identification of White Phosphorus and ZAB submunitions in Syria
There have been a number of claims, both from the ground in Syria and from media abroad, that Syrian government forces have been using white phosphorus (WP) munitions to target rebel positions or civilian populations. Unfortunately, these reports appear to be confusing the appearance of ZAB series cluster bomb submunitions (likely ZAB-2.5 submunitions) with that […]
