Social media imagery uploaded this week of Iran-backed Iraqi and Palestinian fighting forces allied with Syrian Arab Republic:
Iran-backed Kata'ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada fighting force members pose before just-visible dome on the shrine of Sayyidah Zainab near Damascus, Syria. Note the unfurled Iraqi national flag.
It appears to be a customary refrain for Iran-backed Shia fighting forces to claim "in defense of the shrine of Sayyidah Zainab," in similar manner to the culturally dissimilar refrain of American fighting forces waging war "in defense of freedom."
Claimed depiction near Aleppo of Iran-backed Iraqi fighting force member, beside Iran-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") jeep-type vehicle equipped with M40 type recoilless gun. This type of tactical vehicle, which has been seen in quantity at Iraq, is now being observed in Syria, as well.
Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali fighting force members photographed near Aleppo, Syria. Note again, promotion of the Iraqi national flag.
Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali fighting force members photographed near Aleppo. Individual in foreground wears identification patch bearing the Iraqi national flag.
In the foreground can be seen SyAA 2S1 Gvozdika type 122-mm self-propelled howitzer.
Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali fighting force member (individual appearing in all three related images), posing before ISIL flag wall painting, near Aleppo, Syria.
Image claiming to depict member of Palestinian "Jerusalem Commando Forces" near Aleppo, beside two recently Iran-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") jeep-type vehicles. Safir on right equipped with M40 type recoilless gun, on left equipped with 107 mm MRL.
Image claiming to depict members of Palestinian "Jerusalem Commando Forces" fighting on the side of Syrian Arab Republic, near Aleppo.
Image claiming to depict Iranian volunteer, possibly IRGC-QF, with T-72 type main battle tank. Note signage for Abtin, which is located roughly 20 km south of Aleppo. Syrian media reported the recapture of Abtin village on 16OCT15.
It would be illuminating to ascertain current monthly production figures and cost for Safir jeep-type vehicles.
ReplyDeleteI understand that about 2000 have been built at a cost of roughly $7000 per unit and they are light and air portable.
DeleteHundreds of the rocket launcher-equipped and 106mm RR, 107mm MLRS and TOW/Toophan equipped, Iranian-made buggies are in Iraq, helping out Iraqi troops and allied Shia militias. Now these ubiquitous Iranian Safir vehicles are making an appearance in Syria, some armed with the Iranian Dehlaviyeh or advanced version of Kornet E, auto grenade launchers and rotary 23mm Asefeh cannons.
These proliferating war buggies reflect Iran’s preference for swarm tactics, which emphasize deploying large numbers of simple, cheap vehicles in order to outmaneuver and overwhelm the enemy.
Minimally-trained irregular troops can deploy the swift little vehicles to strike and even surround the enemy in an urban environment or rough terrain— like a swarm of insects. With so many individuals in the swarm, each darting around so quickly, it’s hard to swat them all. The ISIS terrorists have had hard time hitting them with the Chinese HJ-8 ATGM and US TOW and French MILANS in Al-Nusra, FSA and ISIS hands. They have low profile and speed as as advantage but lack of armor plating and crew protection exposes them to all types to weapons, even small arms.
These vehicles allow the hastily recruited Shia militias without modern communications equipment to perform flanking attacks over Syria's rugged terrain. The jeeps can establish visual contact with neighboring vehicles at intersections, then drive toward gunfire in the event of a neighbor coming into contact with the enemy. They are easy to maintain and repair in the field and do not require expensive spares. In some of the video footage some have taken pretty bad hits from RPG, ATGM and heavy caliber machine guns but seem to keep on going.
God bless you all..
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