ISIS have just released a new video (Circa 1 hour ago) from #Turkey. Although this video is similar to others- namely a few masked indivuals pledging allegience to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, they are substantially better armed than some previous videos. 1/
Ofc, Turkey is in close proximity to multiple conflicts so there's high quantities of arms available, particularly from greater Idlib &t he conflict with the PKK.
Let's start with what's behind: A SVD DMR, PKM MG, & RPG-7 with a potent PG-7VM warhead, likely Bulgarian-made. 2/
The other arms appear to be two AKMS variants- I'd assume Russian or Romanian AKMS, along with Eastern Bloc Grenades- likely F1 or UZRGM grenades as well as a Glock, which is probably a G19 Gen3.
So what does this signify of their capabilties? And where are they from? 3/
IMHO, the most likely source for these arms is greater #Idlib, which is both floating with arms & has multiple ISIS cells. These cells have also shown the ability to conduct "remote control" of attacks abroad (For ex, Lebanon 2018).
Here's HTS with a very similar RPG warhead. 4/
Whilst the close proximity & ISIS networks make getting arms from Idlib possible, the cell also have made a deliberate choice in showing off fairly potent arms- the PKM/SVD/PG-7VM offer good capability against troops from long ranges, or against armour. 5/
Whilst the AKs are somewhat pedestrian, they are also obviously extremely effective at mass-casualty events. What IS have chosen to show off here is intended to be a sharp reminder to Turkey, and others of what it could choose to do, against civilians, troops or armour. 6/
It's also likely that this isn't all they are armed with- I'd expect more AKs, more pedestrian RPG warheads, and covert options such as suppressed pistols. (Example from Yemen).
Whilst this is a media op too, these fighters could be very dangerous.
[END]
Correction: I meant F1 or other Soviet grenades, based on the seeming UZRGM pattern fuzes.
Aspects of the #Aleppo Campaign that are proving to be essential, according to local news, open sources, and some of my sources.
Drones. Rebels using drones for expansive command and control, continuous monitoring of front lines, much better than SAA
Also using small kamikaze UAV extremely intensely, including blunting at least two 25th Division counter attacks.
Drone dropped nades also massively used.
Rebels using Elite Units like actual special forces. This includes in the genuine spotter/recon role, deep in front of light infantry. Said units also cooperating with UAV units and directing fire.
Extensive thermal optics use, including by small recce units.
One aspect that many miss RE:AA FPV UAV is that these are a reaction to a lack of MANPADS, particularly those not from the Cold War.
Sure FPV can work, but if every AFU unit had plenty of LMM or Starstreak, esp. w/ extended range, the need would be met much more efficiently.
The innovation shown in 🇺🇦 is excellent, lessons learned should be diffused into other allied militaries, but we shouldn't fetishize systems that have developed because of specific local conditions. Some of the situation now is because the AFU has not been efficiently resourced.
Ofc, as the drones develop, they will become more and more like MANPADS. The cost will rise, especially as features such as passive radar/ELINT targeting become more common than they already are.
I am not bashing what Ukrainians are doing, I'm just pointing out the reality.
According to some local reports & the ISIS claim, the attackers withdrew successfully. They will have communicated with IS-K/Central, poss. including videos/images of them carrying out the massacre.
They are still at large. This is exactly what security forces don't want.
Usually they don't manage. But if your security forces don't arrive for an hour, this can happen. So they can sleep, rearm, and do it again. Inghimasi don't expect to survive, so for them this is a bonus.
When they kill these guys, they will find a phone with either SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram or maybe Viber msgs to an account with a central asian or Afghan number. That account will have been assisting, directing & encouraging them live. Non-0 chance US SIGINT can see said messages.
Your reminder btw, because I know people will be doing it, deaths of civilians is never, ever to be celebrated. I hope the vermin who carried this out are slotted with all rapidity
From the video: At least 5 men with AKs, probably 74s. Can't see PBIED, although given IS-K to be expected. This is worse case, nightmare scenario stuff that Western forced worry about and train for constantly.
No, not doing any ID, it's not healthy for the mind and soul
Random thoughts on the al Qassam footage from the IDF ground incursion in no particular order.
Firstly- Clear that the en mass production of the "Yassin" PG-7VR copy was a very sensible decision. This was the most achievable way for them for them to create a potent anti....
armour weapon, with good penetrative capabilities against IDF armour. Even more sensible was the adoption of the main warhead of the Yassin (Essentially the same as a PG-7L) as a static charge IED. That way, the same production line(s) could be efficiently used to boost..
..al Qassam et al anti-armour capabilities in a simple to use package. So far, this seems to have been effective, although the daring IED-placing rambo probably wasted his actions, as the directional charge wouldn't have gone in the right...direction.
This is not *why* I am leaving all of this, but rather just some notes to whoever might find them useful.
Why does someone do the stuff I have? Why does someone write thousands of words and spend so many hours?
It's because yes, you enjoy it, but it makes you feel like you are making a positive difference. But then it starts feeling like a job, a job that gives you no earnings.
Then you find that dozens, if not hundreds, of organisations, companies, large (evidently revenue earning) accounts, YouTubers etc, are very, very happy to use your expertise and your time, and *will not* compensate you for it. Sometimes you get credit, which is nice.