Click to see full-size image.
Saraya Awliya al-Dam (SAD), one the Iran-aligned armed factions in Iraq, on February 19 released a video showing an tunnel base with suicide drones, in what appears to be an indirect threat to the United States in response to recent escalation against the Islamic Republic.
Around two dozen Shahed-101 and Ababil-2 drones, both Iranian models, can be seen in the footage inside the base, dubbed “Awliya Facility.”
The Shahed-101 is said to have a range of 900 kilometers with a warhead weighing eight kilograms, while the Ababil-2 range is reported to be around 200 kilometers with a warhead weighing up to 30 kilograms. Both drones utilize satellite-aided inertial navigation systems (INS).
The Awliya Facility, which is fairly large, was seen in footage released by the SAD last month. At the time, the faction showed off dual missile launchers moving inside the tunnel. The launchers appeared to be armed with small tactical ballistic missiles, similar in design to Iran’s Ababil. The codename of the missiles, “Al-Qarie,” was painted on them.
The Ababil, which is typically guided via a satellite-aided IND, has a range of up to 85 kilometers and can deliver a warhead weighing 45 kilograms.
The Awliya Facility is apparently used to store advanced weapons, and very possible as a command and control center.
SAD was one of several Iran-aligned small armed factions that emerged in Iraq some six years ago, around the time the U.S. assassinated Iranian Quds Force commander Qassiem Solimani. It was linked to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a part of the government-recognized Popular Mobilization Forces.
In its first year, the faction attacked U.S. military supply convoys across the country using roadside bombs. Later after the outbreak of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, it carried out a series of drone and missile attacks against both Israel and U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
As the U.S. increased pressure on Iran last month, SAD issued a statement vowing to fight with the Islamic Republic and “strike” U.S. interests in the Middle East.
The U.S. military buildup in the Middle East gained momentum in the last few days, and recent reports suggest that an attack on Iran is around the corner. The latest video by SAD is clearly meant as a threat to the U.S. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the group will in fact join any war on the side of the Islamic Republic.
Iraqi factions refrained from intervening in support for Iran during the Israeli 12-day June war last year, despite issuing similar threats before.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
terrible things will happen to usa military personnel.