[THREAD] On the latest ISIS #Khayr video as regards equipment and TTPs.
Much of the video is filler regarding the SDF, the West, and Coronavirus, but there are some points to note.
1/
The video essentially shows a collection of low level IED, shooting, and burning attacks against the SDF, civilians, etc.
Unlike in regime areas, and some parts of Iraq, NE Syria has been able to keep down IS ops with direct coalition operations and support for the SDF
2/
So we get the typical view of IED manufacture and use here, which whilst low level does show there is an amount of retained capability by IS fighters locally, some of which have been there since the area was taken by SDF, and some of which have moved into the area.
3/
Only one RPG attack is carried out. It is interesting to see the warheads being unpacked/removed from a cache, showing Bulgarian/Russian OG-7V, PG-7VM/S, and boosters.
4/
Vehicle burnings too, note the individual on the right with the highly symbolic AKS-74U. Note the muzzle device has been removed, sometimes evident of an inexperienced user but probably because IS usually suppress their AKS-74U in these situations.
5/
Speaking of AKS-74U, here is a single unit (on two seperate occasions) showing with a GoPro-type camera attached to the handguard and suppressed (Often used for driveby assasinations and raids), and without it's suppressor being used for a killing.
6/
At this point it's worth noting that the emerged IS insurgency in SDF areas seems to have developed a clear "style" that's closely related to but different to the classic IS-Iraq TTPs and appearance. Beretta M1934/35 seen here. All rather low level incidents.
7/
One (most) notable part of the video is this incident which happened near Shuhayl in mid Feb, in which 3 were killed and IS militants managed to destroy an SDF Humvee in broad daylight. Note potent PG-7VL.
8/
The video ends with a collection of bay'ahs from the small IS cells (Some of them, of course) in the area. Despite the fact that these cells are rather weak compared to other areas in Syria, they are still able to inflict damage.
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.
Something I didn't say in November that I think now- this stuff has a deeply personal tinge. The Ukrainians are targeting people because they see them as guilty of assisting in their (attempted) genocide. This is Mossad in the 60s, and they are only just starting.
Sensible people in European security circles should be thinking about how to manage and mitigate a service absolutely willing to go kinetic on their soil in five or ten years when some of the Russian men who were Bucha or Mariupol manage to get to Germany etc
So much analysis of this misses the personal factor.
Why wouldn't you target the people who wanted to turn you into a literal footnote of history?
#Syria: ISIS forces in Syria also released a quantity of bay'ah picss for the new Caliph. I'm not sure where this cell is, thinking perhaps rural NES. M16A4, AK variants (AKM, T56, Including AKS-74U, ofc), PK (W/ MG-1M barrel), RPG-7 with PG-7VM.
Note high proportion of minors.
A Badia cell. This is a "proper" cell, with all fully grown men. M16A4 with ATN Thermal optics, SVD Dragunov, AKM and AK-74(M) variants (With PK-01VS), PG-7VL.
These guys have the traditional cell arrangement and look healthy. Also, a foreigner🤌
Another serious Badia grouping, including with technical with ZU-23-2 23mm autocannon. Standard AK-(S)74(M)/AKM/PK/M16A4 mix, along with SVD as usual. Interesting customised AK-74 with PK-01VS again.