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.
Also worth a note here that they can be seen with both generations of Rayan Roshd RU03 red dot optics and assorted lights/lasers/etc, which are usually of Chinese/Iranian (rebranded) origin.
Quite curious stuff.
As per @Fath_ol_Mobin, I will note some of the other kit; HYTERA PD-782i for comms, locally modified of Chinese imported LBT-6049A plate carriers, etc.
Generally to be expected. Note no G3, as the more "Elite" forces use 5.56 platforms much more widely than others in #Iran.
#Nigeria: ISWA released a video, dealing with indoctrination and training of young fighters (many child soldiers); I will detail key elements (TTPs/Materiel/Themes) etc
This video is remarkable from the standpoint of a global terrorist organisation attempting to build a state.
Release covers various day-to-day activities of young fighters; with ages from ~12 to 18+. This includes prayers, lessons, etc; this is remarkably similar to ISWA releases from the days of the physical caliphate of IS-Central. Once again, IS is trying to form the next generation.
[Note: As standard, I will blur all faces of murdered NA and underage ISWA fighters]. The propaganda also attempts to reinforce the global ideological cohesion of IS via the glimpse of previous releases; here's the infamous female fighters section footage from the "Hajin Pocket".
#Idlib: Various images of new Tavhid Va Jihod fighters training/on ribat recently. An interesting variety of materiel seen; PG-7VT, PG-7VM, various AKM/PK(M) variants, HTS-made al Buraq APC///
1/
... more images include a Metis-M1 ATGM team, AM-50 Sayyad pattern anti-materiel rifle, ZPU-2/dual KPV 14.5mm HMG mount technical and locally modified Mosin-Nagant rifle
2/
We also see a 9M113 Konkurs pattern ATGM on a 9P135 GLS (Note that the possible "thermal sleeve" is carefully hidden), more locally made APC, AK-74, more RPG-7 etc. Note PGO-7 optic.
All previously seen but indicates a rebuilding after personnel losses in 2019-2020.
#Pakistan Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) released a video of leadership including emir Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud visiting TTP's "North Zone", much of which appears to be in #Afghanistan.
Much ex ANA/ANP equipment (mainly w/ bodyguards) can be used along w/ traditional small arms.
Some random notes here. His bodyguards appear to use a mix of customised AKM(S) variants, such as the jungle-taped Misr seen here, to the traditional AKS-74U, to captured (by Afghan Taliban, TTP's allies) M4 Carbine and M16A4 rifles.
This may be a subtle threat (or even unintentional) but it seems that the TTP has access to Afghan Taliban stocks of Longot AL335/AL350 thermal optics. Given that some TB accounts had threatened TWS transfers, this may of serious concern to Pakistani Army/Border forces.
#Nigeria: ISWA images from their attack against Buni Yadi in #Yobe with an excellent view of their improvised technical using a 73mm 2A28 "Grom" cannon (Stripped from an NA BMP-1), plus attackers armed with RPG-7 (PG-7VM, OG-7V/OGi-7MA), PK/M, FN MAG, AKM(S)/T56 etc.
The terrorists captured 3x T56-2 AKs. Various technicals can be seen (One armed with NSV HMG)- the Police station was apparently burned although the attack was later fought back by the NA.
I believe ISWA lost at least a couple of vehicles to the NA(F) as seen here. Reposted with corrected pics.