Possible Iran-supplied MANPADS and special weapons to Iraqi militias

 

Still from Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) militia's stylized publicity video, depicting KH possession of QW-1M Vanguard man-portable air-defense system. Complete video HERE.

Considered source for KH possession of QW or Misagh type MANPADS includes their primary sponsor, Islamic Republic of Iran.

COMMENTARY: Iranian and Iraqi sources persist with claims of U.S.-led coalition "air drops" being undertaken to support ISIL. Publicity video of KH in possession of MANPADS may be seen within the context of further promotion of such narrative.

Still of Kata'ib Hezbollah operator of Chinese QW-1 Vanguard or Iranian variant Misagh-1 type MANPADS

Still of Kata'ib Hezbollah operators of of Chinese QW-1 Vanguard or Iranian Misagh-1 type MANPADS

Still of Kata'ib Hezbollah operator of QW-1M Vanguard MANPADS

Pose depicting spotter and operators of QW-1M Vanguard MANPADS

Left: Kurdish peshmerga militiaman in possession of what appears to be Iranian Shaher ("Witnessed") 14.5mm anti-material sniper rifle.

Iraqi militiaman in possession of Iranian Nasir 40mm automatic grenade launcher

Also of Interest:

Iran-backed Kata'ib Hezbollah flags mounted on U.S.-supplied to ISF Oshkosh Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) 6x6 heavy duty all-terrain vehicles and M198 155mm howitzer.

Latest publicity photo of IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, beside U.S.-supplied to ISF M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle (ASV).

Billboard image of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (left) and the late Ayatollah Khomeini, posted on the median of a busy road in Baghdad, Iraq, 18MAR15. [photo: VOA]

Syria: Islamic State Reportedly Seized Advanced Weapons from Captured Airbase

Islamic State on Sunday captured Tabqa Airbase in Syria, the last government outpost in Raqqa province. Today there are reports that the insurgents might have seized significant amount of weaponry, including a cache of shoulder-fired 9K38 Igla type (SA-16) MANPADS, K-13 type short-range air-to-air missiles and a number of MiG-21 type jet aircraft. 

The Washington Post said this afternoon that the seizure of Tabqa Airbase highlights Islamic State’s “gain in the region and the group’s continued pilfering of advanced military equipment, particularly the surface-to-air missile systems known as MANPADS, short for Man Portable Air Defense Systems.” (The Washington Post, 25 August)

Charles Lister, an analyst at Brookings Doha Center, also twitted today that Islamic State fighters have captured SA-16 MANPADS, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, and MIG-21B jets in Tabaqa Airbase. (Twitter/@Charles_Lister, 25 August)

Photo credit: An IS insurgent carrying MANPADS (Twitter/@Charles_Lister)

Iran Military Day Parade 2012 (3)

Isfahan, Iran 

click photos to enlarge

IRGC T-72S main battle tank

IRGC tank commander, possibly belonging to Saheb al-Zaman Corps

BTR-60 armored personnel carriers, likely belonging to the 37th Armored Brigade

Artillery pieces towed by Unimogs with crews

Unidentified Artesh unit parading with Heckler & Koch G3A4 battle rifles

NAJA anti-riot police contingent

Motorized IRIADF MANPADS gunners

IRIADF S-200 surface-to-air missile (SAM)

Unidentified Artesh unit

Contingent outfitted in chemical warfare protection suits

IRIAF contingent from Shahid Babaei AFB (TFB.8)

Iran Army stunt rider aboard 90's era Honda CRM motorbike 

Photos: Hamid Reza Niko maram at Fars News Agency, Mehr News Agency