[THREAD] On the recent IS West Africa (Formerly Greater Sahara) video covering multiple attacks across the Sahel- including Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Recently, IS attacks in the area have been increasing.
Let's take a look at some of the arms aspects.
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Let's take a look at some of the arms aspects.
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The arms used by ISWA (ISGS) are pretty basic, in the little that is shown. Only basic AK variants, along with DShK/W85 HMGs and RPG-7s are used. FN FAL or AK-103 pop up a few times, but their weapons mix is quite basic. (Motorcyle-mount HMGs are always a treat, though!)
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We do get to see a single Grad-type (9M22U-ish) rocket launch in Niger- captured from a regional military. Doubtful that it would be particularly effective save a lucky hit, plus the DPRK-manufactured F-7 HE-FRAG warhead, likely originally sourced from Libya.
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However, what's more notable is weapons (and other kit) that the group has captured from state forces in the area, including multiple Kord HMG in Nov 2019, In-Delimane, #Mali, along with likely small arms.
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Another large capture in Tongo Tongo, Niger in May 2019- W85 HMG with plenty of ammo, NV equipment (AN/PVS-7ish pattern), 2x SVD-pattern DMR, ~10 Chinese Type 56-2 AKs (Covered in cheap "tactical" accessories, red dots etc), and hundreds of rounds of ammo. Plus vehicles.
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In one section, a young fighter waves one of the customised Type 56-2s around whilst talking about the success/capture of the Islamic State etc.
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Important Note: Night vision was used for the first time earlier this month to film a IS rocket attack in Burkina Faso- it's possible that the NV equipment earlier captured was transferred and used to film. Effective NV use would be a dangerous new capability for the group.
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IS also captured other materiel- such as this ZU-23-2 equipped technical in Inates, Niger.
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However, of much more interest to watchers of the group and those interested in arms ID also are the few instances of M4/Mk18 platforms appearing briefly in the hands of leadership figures as "status" guns. These are extremely rarely seen.
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These are very likely to be remainders of arms captured in the 2017 Tongo Tongo ambush of USSOF and Nigerien partner forces. Some have since been recaptured, such as this M2010 precision rifle and M240 MG in March 2018, but some remain in the hands of IS.
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The reappearance of the USSOF (Possibly partner forces, tho PEQ-15 etc is vv unusual in that case) is notable. In 1 section the camera notably avoids the carrier's face, tho in another they are visible. Another appearance of the Mk18s was in March 19 in IS' al-Naba magazine.
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Overall, there is nothing extremely promient about the vid from the arms perspective, but it#s clear that ISGS (Now WA) continues to use roving bands of 10-30+ fighters on motorcyles with arms all the way up to HMGs.
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These roving bands can form a highly mobile fighting force, very deadly to ill-equipped/trained bases, and able to form together to attack larger targets and ransack them- such as this haul in Inates, #Niger.
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[END]
cc @MENA_Conflict @oryxspioenkop @AbraxasSpa @MENASTREAM @FulanNasrullah @ryanmofarrell @Jake_Hanrahan
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cc @MENA_Conflict @oryxspioenkop @AbraxasSpa @MENASTREAM @FulanNasrullah @ryanmofarrell @Jake_Hanrahan
If you liked this thread or others of mine- please consider a coffee! ko-fi.com/calibreobscura
@MENA_Conflict @oryxspioenkop @AbraxasSpa @MENASTREAM @FulanNasrullah @ryanmofarrell @Jake_Hanrahan That's what I get for not double checking my notes- obviously 100% ZPU-2. Apologies.
@MENA_Conflict @oryxspioenkop @AbraxasSpa @MENASTREAM @FulanNasrullah @ryanmofarrell @Jake_Hanrahan Good note from @MENASTREAM here, although I'd say NV was more significant, I was too lazy to add the QLZ-87 since I didn't see the vehicle mount, just the characteristic drum mag.
Proliferation of Chinese AGS is interesting to see.
Proliferation of Chinese AGS is interesting to see.
