#Idlib: HTS released a new video called "Strong Will" (إرادةٌ صلبَة) covering various military aspects from heavy armour to planning to small arms.

Generally as we expect from Syria but I'll note some interesting things below. Apologies for the delay, had to get 1080p.

1/
The weapons we see are standard for HTS- AK-74, PK/M, AKM, with one glimpse at a Fortuna One 3L/6L TWS. Normal small arms drills. Helmets, plate carriers, etc are common.

2/
We've seen the Chinese NP-20 a lot, but not generally with a modified (threaded/extended) barrel to accept a suppressor, which are made locally. Suppressors aren't seen.

3/
Some additional aspects I noted in no particular order:

- Yugo M73 60mm mortar bombs with УT.M68.П1 PD fuze
- DJI Mavic drone, used for media, recon, and directing fire.
- PG-7VL (Bulgarian) with expelling charges.

4/
(cont)

- Seems that HTS uses models for planning
- HTS Red Bands' commander can be seen with AKS-74U w/ RPK-74 mag, obviously.
- Couple of short looks at HTS armour (BMP-1 and Tank)

5/
and last of all two more spots; in the background of a very quick shot we see a HTS ZU-23-4 "Shilka"- these aren't very common nowadays, but I suspect this is one captured in February-March 2020, repainted and repaired. Oh, and using a Tablet to aid in artillery targeting.

6/
That's about it. Nothing super special (the video is very highly produced) but fairly interesting nonetheless.

[END]

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More from @CalibreObscura

Aug 10
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.
Read 9 tweets
Mar 22
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.
Read 4 tweets
Mar 22
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
Read 5 tweets
Nov 3, 2023
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.

Anyway, next.
Read 14 tweets
Oct 25, 2023
I'm going to write a few things here before I go.

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.
Read 7 tweets
May 8, 2023
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?
Read 6 tweets

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