[THREAD] on the Equipment of the YAT, the YPG/SDF's Special Forces, with a focus on 2019, but with contextual information from 2015. The YAT is the premier “Anti-Terror” force for the SDF/YPG, with a particular focus on anti-ISIS operations.
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Here’s a few images for 2015-16 in which YAT fighters are armed mainly with basic AK platforms with a smattering of M16. Whilst they are more standardised than the rest of the YPG at that time, the arms are nothing too special.
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2017-18: US Aid for the YAT became more evident- a great example of this is the April 17 Tabqa Dam op against ISIS, where “SOCOM-lite” kit is seen- M4 Carbine, EOTech RDS+G33 Magnifier, AN/PEQ-2, FAST Helmets w/ AN/PVS-7, G19 etc. Not the latest kit, but a big improvement.
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Interestingly, around this time period other pics of YAT show fighters armed with arms that are much closer to the best that could be obtained locally (Mainly from regime sources): AK-74, AKS-74, AKS-74U, M16, Steyr AUG etc. This is also superior to typical SDF/YPG fighters.
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Of course, the YPG/SDF will show off their best-equipped fighters to the camera- at least some fighters, such as these 2 pictured with @joeyldotcom , still carried more usual AKMS as opposed to the directly-US guided and equipped Tabqa Dam force.
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@joeyldotcom Here’s a few pictures from 2018 with a variety of kit
- Customised AK-74, AK-104, GP-30 UGL (Likely originally sourced via Russian supplies to the Regime)
- M16A2 with @SureFireLLC SOCOM556-RC QD suppressor, 20rnd @Magpul_HQ PMAG and M4 stock
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- Customised AK-74, AK-104, GP-30 UGL (Likely originally sourced via Russian supplies to the Regime)
- M16A2 with @SureFireLLC SOCOM556-RC QD suppressor, 20rnd @Magpul_HQ PMAG and M4 stock
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And another image from apparently from 2018-- M4 Carbine with Suppressor, Optics, Glock 19, etc- very similar to the Tabqa dam kit.
I am not well versed as to the history of the YAT, but these images are useful context for their current kit.
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I am not well versed as to the history of the YAT, but these images are useful context for their current kit.
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In 2019, fighting against Turkish-backed forces in NE Syria, as well as anti-ISIS raids, gave us a look at the latest YAT kit- it seems that the Unit has standardised onto SOPMOD-stocked M4, EoTech 512+G33 magnifier, AN/PEQ-15, with plenty of SilencerCo SKA556 suppressors.
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Also appearing was the US-made Sword International Mk-17 rifle in the DMR role, with Swarovski optics and suppressors.
This would be a reliable and accurate alternative to the typical SVD Dragunov seen in the area.
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This would be a reliable and accurate alternative to the typical SVD Dragunov seen in the area.
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However, a recent video of YAT training has given us the best look at YAT kit- more M4 Carbine typically with SOPMOD stocks, EoTech RDS with G33 magnifier, AN/PEQ-15 APTIAL, weapon lights, SKA556 suppressors, etc. This equipment is another move from that seen at Tabqa Dam.
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The Sword International Mk-17 is shown off heavily, complete with optics and suppressors. Whilst the YPG/SDF will of course to only show off the best equipment, it does seem that the Mk-17 usage is legit.
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The YAT also use M249 MG and M2 .50 cal on a vehicle mount. (In this image, the M249 is being fed from a STANAG, which is fairly rarely seen and apparently unreliable)
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Eastern-bloc arms are, of course, used: PK/M MG, RPG-7 with PG-7V warhead, and AKM variants. (In this case, the AKM is used in a “combat diving” segment, which makes sense given the loose tolerances allowing for greater reliability in an aquatic environment- see:Shayetet 13)
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Among the M4s we can also spot a single NEA PDW-CCS 12.5” carbine- this has appeared with the SDF and YPG a number of times and is likely obtained via Peshmerga/Iraq.
However, only a single example is spotted here. Glock 19 (Likely Gen3/4) are a standard sidearm.
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However, only a single example is spotted here. Glock 19 (Likely Gen3/4) are a standard sidearm.
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And here’s what seems to be a Zagros/ Şer Portative based rifle in use- it seems that the coalition may decided not to supply AMRs in any great quantity to the SDF.
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An AR-10 based DMR that I am yet to precisely ID has also appeared in other media of SDF- but given the SilencerCo Omega 300 and Harris bipod attached it’s likely to be linked to US aid.
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In short, as of 2019, the YAT does not lack US-supplied arms and accessories, and with US-supported anti-IS operations ramping up again after a recent drop off, even given the now…controversial US-SDF relationship, this is unlikely to change- arms don’t just disappear.
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It doesn’t yet seem that the high-tier equipment given to YAT, intended for a counter-terror unit similar to Western SOF (Who have trained YAT), has been provably leaked or passed along to the PKK at present.
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However, it is interesting seeing the improvement of YAT kit over time, but also the scattering of modern Eastern Bloc arms given the area.
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cc @AbraxasSpa @MENA_Conflict @WyvernReports @oryxspioenkop
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cc @AbraxasSpa @MENA_Conflict @WyvernReports @oryxspioenkop
*Steiner. Smh
