Click to see full-size image. (Syrian Interior Ministry)
The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced on December 22 that its forces seized dozens of man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADs) in the eastern governorate of Deir Ezzor, highlighting the fragile security situation in the war-torn country.
“Accurate information was received by the security directorate in al-Bukamal indicating that anti-aircraft missiles were being hidden inside a house, in preparation for smuggling them out of the country,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Based on this information, a well-planned raid was carried out, resulting in the seizure of SAM-7 missiles,” it added.
The SAM-7 is a common name in the Middle East for the Soviet-made 9K32 Strela-2, also known by NATO reporting name SA-7 Grail. Photos shared by the ministry show more than 24 missiles, along with a number of gripstocks and thermal batteries.
Click to see full-size image. (Syrian Interior Ministry)
Click to see full-size image. (Syrian Interior Ministry)
The MANPADs likely came from the stockpiles of the former Syrian military, which were largely ransacked after the fall of the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad last year.
The Strela-2 is considered largely outdated. The heat-seeking anti-aircraft missile has a range of 4,2 kilometers, with an altitude limited to 2,3 kilometers . But while it poses no real threats to fighter jets, it still could still be used to take down helicopters, or even worse, civilian planes.
Click to see full-size image. (Syrian Interior Ministry)
The former military had thousands of MANPADs in its stockpiles, including types that are far more capable than the Strela-2, like the Russian-made 9K338 Igla-S.
The Igla-S features an improved infrared seeker with high resistance to jamming, and has a range of 6 kilometers, with an engagement altitude up to 3,5 kilometers. If used properly, the missile can be lethal to all sorts of aerial threats, even including fighter jets.
A large part of the former military’s stockpiles was destroyed during the war. Most of what survived was likely also destroyed in the Israeli military operation that followed the fall of the Assad regime. However, as evident by the latest seizure in al-Bukamal, many MANPADs survived and they are making their way to the black market in the Middle East.
In fact, just two days earlier, the Lebanese military found two SA-7s among weapons seized in the town of al-Ansar in the northeastern governorate of Baalbek-Hermel. The military said that the weapons were seized from the house of a wanted suspect, which means that Hezbollah was not involved. The MANPADs very likely came from Syria.
Click to see full-size image. (Lebanese Armed Forces)
There is no doubt that some of these MANPADs have already found their way to terrorist groups in the country, including ISIS.
With no official plan to deal with this serious threat, an aerial disaster may be around the corner in Syria, or even one of the nearby countries.
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porque tantos comentários sobre esperma?
war torn countries and weapons black market fit perfectly together. usil knew perfectly it would end like every stable country they ruined with invasions prepared with subvertion and propaganda campaigns and ragtag proxy forces mercenaries gangsters and terrorists. guess who profits from black market.
these efforts are also created and exploited by hasbara agents for propaganda release to the masses .
israeli agents and assets must have a large arms smuggling network exploiting syria . false flag attacks , political assassinations and bombings are the currency if the zionist regime. once these weapons are seized, where do they really go ?
hubble bubble toil and trouble stir that pot witchipoo.
hmmm. wonder where those came from