Illustrative image.
On October 23, a Mi-25 attack helicopter of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) made a hard landing in the countryside of Damascus while returning from a mission around the ancient city of Palmyra in eastern Homs.
Syrian pro-government sources said that the Soviet-made helicopter experienced “mechanical program”, without elaborating.
The helicopter pilot, Major Muhammad Taher Nadim Abdullah, was killed in the incident. Several service members were also wounded.
As a result of a mechanical failure, a Mi-25 helicopter of the Syrian Arab Air Force made a hard landing in the eastern Homs countryside on October 23. The pilot Mohamad Taher Nadim Abdullah, was killed in the accident. The helicopter was heavily damaged. pic.twitter.com/yqgBYILSeg
— Within Syria (@WithinSyriaBlog) October 24, 2021
The SyAAF operates some 25 Mi-25 attack helicopters of basic export version. A few years ago, Russia supplied Syria with a number of the more advanced Mi-24P variant which is armed with a side-mounted 30 mm GSh-30-2K twin-barrel autocannon and 9K114 Shturm anti-tank guided missiles.
Earlier this year, the air force began conducting armed patrols with Mi-25 and Mi-24P attack helicopters along the Homs-Deir Ezzor highway and around Palmyra in order to keep ISIS cells in the central region at bay.
Despite its limited resources and high-rate of operations, the SyAAF rarely losses equipment in non-combat related incidents.
Unfortunate, rip. Your brothers and sisters will pick up the battle and clean out Syria of foreign garbage.
The courage of the Syrian Arab Airforce is enduring.
RIP too Major Muhammad Taher Nadim Abdullah.