A Mohajer-6 combat drone. By Wikimedia user (Alireza numberone)
On January 14, the Israeli Alma education and research center released satellite images showing what appears to be Iranian-made drones at Deir Ezzor airport in eastern Syria.
The drones were identified as two Mohajer-6s and an Ababil-3. Both types are capable of carrying out reconnaissance and combat missions. While the presence of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Deir Ezzor is well documented, this is the first evidence to confirm that the Iranian force had deployed drones there.
The Mohajer-6, which was developed by the Qods Aviation Industry Company, has an endurance of more than 12 hours and an operational range of 200-500 kilometers. The drone can carry up to four precision-guided munitions.
Click to see full-size image. Source: (@Israel_Alma_org) on Twitter.
Click to see full-size image. Source: (@Israel_Alma_org) on Twitter.
On the other hand, the Ababil-3 was developed by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company. The combat version of the drone, dubbed “Atlas,” has an operational range of 250 kilometers and an endurance of more than eight hours. This version can be armed with at least two precision-guided munitions.
Click to see full-size image. Source: (@Israel_Alma_org) on Twitter.
Both the Mohajer-6 and Ababil-3 were spotted in Syria in the past. However, not in the country’s eastern region. It’s unclear yet if the drones in Deir Ezzor Airport are being operated by Iranian forces, or the Syrian Arab Army.
The IRGC may have deployed the drones in Deir Ezzor to keep an eye on ISIS cells in the governorate’s vast desert, as well as to spy on United States forces. The U.S.-led coalition maintains two key bases in the eastern and southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside, just across the Euphrates River.
Israel could use the Iranian-made drones as a pretext to strike Deir Ezzor Airport. The Israeli military attacked similar targets in the past.
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