Expanded capabilities of Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah observed in Syrian conflict

RuAF Su-24 and Mi-8 aircrew rescued with assistance by Iran-backed military special forces

According to ABNA:

While the Russians were planning for another operations to free the pilot immediately, General Soleimani contacted [Russian forces] and proposed a special task force unit be formed of Hezbollah's special forces and Syrian commandos who have been trained by Iran and are fully familiar with the geographical situation of the region to be tasked with the ground operations and Russia provide them with air cover and satellite intelligence.

Soleimani promised them to return the Russian pilot safe and sound; a promise that was kept in the end, according to the Syrian officer.

After tracing the place of the Russian pilot using his GPS, it was revealed that the pilot was being kept in a place 6km behind the frontline of the clashes between the Syrian army and the opposition.

Six fighters of Hezbollah's special operation unit and 18 Syrian commandos approached the frontline to carry out the operations and the Russian air force and helicopters concurrently created hellfire in the region and destroyed the terrorists' headquarters in a way that most of the enemy forces deployed in the region fled the scene and the ground was paved for the special unit's advance.

The Syrian officer added that every move of the special units was monitored and covered precisely by the Russian satellites in a way that the slightest moves made 100 meters away from the area of operation was reported to them and every moment of the operation was reported to a very high-raking official in the Kremlin (that he thinks was president Putin) and it was clear that he was monitoring the entire operations through satellites from Moscow.

According to the officer who called for anonymity, the operation later turned into a hunt of the terrorists in the operation zone by the Russian air force from the sky and by Brigadier General Soleimani's operations units on the ground.

COMMENTARY: Some of the details of the ABNA report haven't been verified, however it has apparently been corroborated that an 18-member Syrian commando team linked up with a 6-member Hezbollah special operations team already sitting near a border crossing point to effect the rescue.

It has been pointed out by another observer that the Iran-backed Hezbollah special operations team was performing a SICTA (strategic intelligence collection / target acquisition) mission. Such teams are probably all along that border right up to Jarabulus. [see HERE]

While others have been pointing to the Syrian conflict as a drain on Iranian and Iran-backed forces such as Hezbollah, this writer has stressed the expansion of capabilities--particularly on offense--that the Syrian conflict has spawned during the course of the war.

According to Associated Press:

A Hezbollah TV station says a joint operation by the Lebanese militant group and Syrian security agents killed an Islamic State figure suspected of involvement in Beirut's deadly bombing earlier this month.

AL-Manar TV says Abdul-Salam Hendawi, also known as Abu Abdo, died in an ambush in an IS-held area in Syria's central province of Homs.

It says Hendawi was responsible for bringing into Lebanon two suicide bombers who carried out the Nov. 12 attack in southern Beirut. The attack killed 43 people and wounded more than 200.

COMMENTARY: If accurate, such a strike by Lebanese Hezbollah (LH) represents a successful counter-terrorism operation beyond the formal boundaries of said military force.

While the United States, Israel, EU and GCC consider Iran-backed LH a terrorist organization, Russia does not, as expressed at the Vienna II Syrian conflict resolution talks. This may be considered another point of contention beyond the fate of Syrian President Assad, between the U.S.-led coalition against ISIL on the one hand, and the R+5 (Russia, Syria, Iran, Lebanese Hezbullah, Iraqi PMF and Syrian NDF) on the other.

Claims and counter-claims of IRGC-QF Commander WIA on the Aleppo front

Above: imagery appearing 21NOV15 depicting IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Soleimani on the Aleppo front inside Syria

According to Agence France-Presse, dated 25NOV15:

General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations wing, was lightly injured in fighting against Syria rebels near Aleppo, a monitoring group and a security source said Wednesday.

Soleimani "was injured a few days ago" in an offensive in the southwest of Aleppo province, a security source on the ground told AFP.

The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, also said the general had been hurt.

He was "lightly injured three days ago in the Al-Eis area in the south of Aleppo province," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

COMMENTARY: Reports of the death or severe wounding of IRGC-QF Maj. Gen. Soleimani have been circulating since at least 15NOV15, initially claimed by the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, JAN.

Above report offers further claim of "lightly wounded" by unnamed "security source" and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). SOHR is a pro-revolution organization.

Iranian sources continue to deny the WIA of Soleimani, the most recent observed 24NOV15 from IRGC Brig. Gen. 2C Ramezan Sharif, in an article published at Sepah News, the official IRGC media site. In the article, Sharif, who is IRGC Director of Public Relations states that Soleimani is “completely healthy” and is “energetically” and “cheerfully” assisting the "resistance fighters in Iraq and Syria."

Map depiction of Al-Eis area, where it is claimed Soleimani was "lightly wounded." This 15NOV15 military situation graphic depicts Al-Eis in relation to drive to IRGC-QF directed drive towards relieving besieged Shia enclaves of Al-Fu'ah and Kafarya, an objective still not realized.

IRGC & Fatimiyoun Brigade KIAs, Operation Muharram near Aleppo

Funeral held in Qarchak, Tehran province on 23NOV15 for Afghan Fatimiyoun Brigade member Ahmad Rahimi, KIA in during recent IRGC-QF directed operation in Syrian conflict. [source: ABNA]

Mourners and twos people paying their respects for Ahmad Rahimi, fallen member of Afghan Fatimiyoun Brigade. This reportedly the fifth soldier from Qarchak lost in the Syrian conflict.

IRGC 2nd Lt. 2nd Lieutenant Ahmad Rahimi has been listed as KIA during "Operation Muharram-Grand Revenge," the IRGC-QF directed offensive in the southern Aleppo countryside. [source: Ghatreh]

The IRGC-QF directed offensive takes its name from the month of Muharram, which to the Shia is a month of mourning (on its tenth day, the Ashura, Shi'ites commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein bin Ali in the Battle of Karbala).

The Al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front last week claimed the KIA of IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Soleimani. However the claim has turned out to be false, with a number of photos turning up since of the commander continuing to serve in role of military liaison, including above depiction near Aleppo emerging 21NOV15 on social media.

Soleimani among Iran-equipped Iraqi fighting forces during Syrian offensive

IRGC-QF Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani addressing Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba fighting force members; claimed depiction in the southern Aleppo countryside appearing 13NOV15 on social media.

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 14NOV15:

The Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division and Hezbollah began their long journey to Aleppo Governorate from the Syrian resort-city of Al-Zabadani in early September, marking the first time that the Lebanese Resistance has committed such a large force to a front so far away from the Lebanese border.

However, Hezbollah’s participation in the southern Aleppo offensive has played a pivotal role in the pro-government forces’ success as they have led the charge on the Islamist rebel defenses, killing several enemy combatants and capturing several villages in the process.

Over the last 72 hours, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, the Al-Ba’ath Battalions, Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary), Kataeb Hezbollah (Iraqi paramilitary), and Firqa Fatayyemoun (Iranian/Afghani paramilitary) – have captured the strategic towns of Al-Hadher and Tal Al-‘Eiss, paving the way for their forces to approach the Damascus-Aleppo Highway from the eastern flank.

Map depiction dated 14NOV15 detailing roughly 500 km2 area recaptured during IRGC-QF directed offensive SW of Aleppo.  [source: Al-Masdar News]

There are also reports IRGC-QF directed offensive has advanced to M5 highway, as depicted in this 14NOV15 situation map  [source: Peto Lucem]

Sheikh Akram Al-Kaabi, Secretary General of Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HHN), conducting Friday prayers with HHN fighting force members. Photo claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force member equipped with Iranian-manufactured Toofan ("Typhoon') ATGM, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force member equipped with Iranian-manufactured AM50 anti-materiel sniper rifle, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force light infantryman, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force light infantryman, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside

Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah (LH) fighting force member equipped with Croatian HS Produkt VHS assault rifle. Note sleeve patch bearing likeness of LH Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, as well as button bearing likeness of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Zarif Will Not Attend Syria Talks

Israeli Attack on Damascus Airport – Syria Battlefield Update

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hoosein Amir-Abdollahian said today that Foreign Minister Javad Zarif will not attend the next round of Syria talks scheduled for this weekend in Vienna. The surprise announcement did not offer reasons for Zarif’s decision not to attend.

There were speculations in Iran’s social media that Zarif will be accompanying President Rouhani on his visit to Rome and Paris this weekend, but that could be an afterthought, as Zarif was not scheduled to travel with Rouhani until today’s announcement. Abdollahian was also non-committal if the Iranian delegation without Zarif would attend the Vienna talks.

Abdollahian, who was speaking to the pro-Hezbollah al-Mayadin TV upon his arrival in Beirut, added that the United States should provide “answers regarding some unilateral actions taken by some of the sides, without consulting other participants in talks.” He said Tehran “would not tolerate actions that violate the agreement reached in the Vienna I.” It was not understood which sides and what actions Abdollahian was referring to and whether they were linked to Zarif’s boycott of the upcoming meeting.


Israeli Airstrikes on Damascus Airport

Pro-regime Syrian media reported today that Israel has launched airstrikes on Damascus International Airport on Wednesday. Photos published on Twitter allegedly show that the main terminal, with duty free shops, has been hit.

The airstrikes were reportedly launched at around 6 p.m. local time, and could have targeted weapons air shipment into the airport. The last reported Israeli strike in Syria was on 31 October, reportedly hitting a weapons convoy close to the Lebanese-Syria border in the Qalamoun Mountains region.


Syria Battlefield Update

Iran-led pro-regime forces, under the command of Quds Force Commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani, scored an impressive, if symbolic, victory on Tuesday in breaking ISIL’s siege of isolated Kuweiris Airbase southwest of Aleppo. The Islamic State fighters had surrounded the government airbase for nearly two years.

The Kuweiris operation was part of a larger Iran-led offensive in Aleppo province. The main goals of the Aleppo offensive appear to be pushing back rebel strongholds southwest of Aleppo City, controlling the line of communications in the area, breaking the rebel siege of Shia villages of Nubl and Zahara, and attempting to encircle the city of Aleppo, where the opposition control eastern half of the city, as a last step before launching an assault against the opposition in east Aleppo.

The Aleppo offensive, which began in early October, brings together the Quds Force, IRGC Ground Force, Lebanese Hezbollah, Iraqi Shia militias, and Afghan and Pakistani Shia fighters, under Soleimani’s command, supported by Russian air power. In the first month of the offensive, Iran and its allies have suffered heavy casualties during the intense fighting.

Elsewhere in northwest of Syria, Russian-enabled Syrian government forces simultaneously started other offensives in northern Hama and southern Idlib against opposition forces. The goals appear to be pushing out the opposition from Hama province and regaining territories lost to the opposition in Idlib province in order to reduce the threat to vital government heartland of Latakia. The Idlib-Hama offensives, however, appear to be stalled at strategic Al Ghab Plain, bordering Latakia, and in Hama.

On 5 November, Jund al-Aqsa-led fighters scored a major victory against the regime and retook the town of Morek in northern Hama.

Photo credit: A scene allegedly showing a destroyed section of Damascus International Airport and its duty-free shops during an Israeli airstrike; 11 November 2015 (Twitter)

Soleimani in Aleppo during battles for Kuwieres Airbase and Al-Hadher

IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in claimed depiction at Aleppo; photo appearing on social media 09NOV15.

Among same series of photos as that above, IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani with Faleh Hassan Khazali (L), leader in Iran-backed Iraqi Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada fighting force.

Faleh Hassan Khazali is said to have lost an eye in battle during a previous tour of duty in Syria.

Note wall map in background of Aleppo, Syria.

Military situation in eastern Aleppo countryside, dated 09NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Zero Hour Approaches the Kuwieres Military Airport: Cheetah Forces Reportedly 1km Away by Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 10NOV15:

It took the Syrian Arab Army’s “Cheetah Forces” approximately one month to cross 20km of rough terrain and the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) defenses inside the Deir Hafer Plains of the Aleppo Governorate; however, this large-scale offensive has finally paid off for the Syrian Armed Forces as they approach the besieged Kuweries Military Airport.

On Monday afternoon, the Cheetah Forces – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Kataebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Ba’ath Battalions) – finally broke ISIS’ frontline defenses at the northern district of Sheikh Ahmad, resulting in the pro-government forces overrunning the terrorist group’s positions and imposing full control over this strategic town in the Aleppo Governorate’s eastern countryside.

Military situation in southern rural Aleppo, dated 08NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Syrian Army and Hezbollah Flank the Rebel Stronghold of Al-Hadher in Southern Aleppo by Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 10NOV15:

The Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Armored Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, Kataebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Battalions), and several Iranian and Iraqi paramilitary units – recaptured the imperative villages of Talaylat and ‘Aziziyah after a series of intense firefights with the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham on Monday morning.

Following the recapture of Talaylat and ‘Aziziyah, the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance entered the rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher with very little resistance from the Islamist rebels of Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, who later appeared to combat the pro-government forces as they attempted to press deeper in the southern district of this southern Aleppo city.

With the Syrian Armed Forces and the Lebanese Resistance inside the rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher, several Islamist fighters from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” arrived to help out their embattled comrades push back the pro-government forces before they advance any further into this rebel stronghold.

If the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Division and Hezbollah can take control of Al-Hadher from the Islamist rebel fighters, they will be in position to obstruct the strategic Damascus-Aleppo Highway that leads from the provincial capital of Aleppo to the provincial capital of Idlib; this is considered one of the main supply routes for the Islamist rebels in the aforementioned provinces.

Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat al-Nujaba fighting forces, claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-organized Syrian National Defense Forces, claimed depiction at recently recaptured Ghamam village in Latakia countryside.

U.S. to Deploy Special Operations Forces to Syria

The White House said on Friday it will deploy several dozen U.S. Special Operations troops in Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria to advise and assist Kurdish security forces in an effort to break the military stalemate against the Islamic State. The special operators will also help gather battlefield intelligence and facilitate U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against Islamic State targets.

The U.S. will also deploy a dozen of A-10 attack aircraft and an equal number of F-15 fighter jets to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey near the Syrian border to support ground operations against ISIL. A key goal of the current plan is to help opposition and Kurdish security forces to cut supply lines and communications between Raqqa, Islamic State’s administrative capital in Syria, and Mosul, its self-declared capital in Iraq, as critical step to push ISIL out of both cities.

Meanwhile, farther south and west, Russian warplanes and Iran-led pro-regime forces under the command of Gen. Soleimani are engaged in a three-week-old offensive on multiple fronts against the opposition forces and ISIL around the city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest.

Photo credit: Fighting in the strategic town of Safira, 16 miles southeast of Aleppo, between Iran-led forces and ISIL; 31 October 2015 (Twitter)

Syria: ISIL Cut Off Crucial Supply Line to Aleppo

The Islamic State militants have cut off a crucial supply line for Iran-led pro-government forces to the city of Aleppo late last week. The supply line through Safira, Khanaser and Anthriya was the only way to access regime-held neighborhoods in western Aleppo. The highway, however, remains highly contested, as it's the lifeline for the pro-regime forces. Sections of the main Damascus-Aleppo highway have been cut off for more than three years. (The Wall Street Journal, 27 October)

IRGC-led pro-government forces, under the command of Gen. Soleimani, and supported by Russian air force, launched offensives earlier this month against the opposition forces south of Aleppo and ISIL to the east of Syria’s largest city. The battles have been so fierce that so far the IRGC alone has lost more than 30 officers and servicemen, including three general officers.

In the past few days, the fighting between pro-government forces and ISIL has been under way around the town of Safira, 16 miles southeast of Aleppo, and farther south in Anthriya and Khanaser. Some opposition reports indicate that ISILis close to enter Safira proper. On Monday, ISIL captured a regime checkpoint on the stretch of the road between Anthriya and Khanaser.

It would be a major blow to pro-government forces if ISIL succeeds in holding on to its advances along the supply line and disrupts it or much longer. (The Wall Street Journal, 27 October)

Photo credit: Syria’s pro-government forces on the eastern outskirts of Aleppo; 24 October 2015 (George Ourfalian/APF/Getty Images/WSJ)

Aleppo Offensives: IRGC Servicemen Killed in Action

Quds Force-led Offensives

Iranian media reported another 3 IRGC servicemen were killed in Syria: Rauf Amjadi, Haidar Nouri Rostami and Jabbar Araghi. No military ranks were given. Social media looking at the Iranian KIA in Syria put the number of known KIAs since the 7 October offensive at 30. (@dudi_cohen) 

Almost all IRGC servicemen killed in the past 2.5 weeks were deployed near Aleppo, where the IRGC-Quds Force is leading a coalition of the Lebanese Hezbollah and Afghan, Pakistani and other foreign Shia militia forces and government troops to isolate and retake parts of the city under the opposition control. The pro-regime forces, under the command of Gen. Soleimani, supported by Russian air power, have launched offensives in the south of the city against the opposition forces, and to the east against ISIL. There are no indications, however, if they could isolate Aleppo anytime soon.

Top photo: IRGC’s Rauf Amjadi killed in action in Syria
Bottom photo: Funeral procession for IRGC’s Haidar Nouri Rostami
Photo credit: Twitter

IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani with Iraqi force at Aleppo, Syrian offensive

Photo depiction of IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, appearing at the onset of attacks at Aleppo during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.

Soleimani is depicted among Iraqi Shia militia fighters inside Syria, with a militia member seen bearing identification patch of Harakat al-Nujaba ("Movement of the Noble Ones").

Clearly the object of the depiction is to suggest Iran leading a coalition of fighting forces from Iraq, Lebanon and Syria; employing aspects of grand strategy at two theaters against AQ, AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.

At the same time, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, is on a tour of Syria and Lebanon, where he has been meeting with the political leadership of those countries, including Mohammad Raad, Shia Lebanese member of parliament and presiding over Hezbollah's bloc in the Lebanese parliament.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi with Mohammad Raad on 17OCT15 in Beirut, Lebanon. Military forces from both leader's countries are currently engaged in the Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, Iran-backed Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq ("Leaque of the Righteous", AAH) leader Sheikh Qais Al-Khaz'ali (L2) outfitted in what appear to be IRGC-style BDUs. Individual (R2) appears outfitted in typical Badr commander style, while individual (R1) seen wearing communication ear-piece is equipped with what appears to be accessorized M4 type carbine assault rifle, possibly previously U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force (ISF).

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, members of Iran-backed Badr fighting force, atop a formerly U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force HMMWV fitted with 9M133 Kornet-type ATGM.

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, previously U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force HMMWV now heavily modified and operated by Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali.

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, members of Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali equipped with AK-type assault rifles.

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, Abu Azrael(R1), a commander in Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali, depicted engaging ISIL.

IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani and Allied arab fighting forces during Syrian offensive

Social media imagery of Iranian IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani and allied arab fighting forces, participating in Russia-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL:

IRGG-QF Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani addressing Lebanese Hezbollah troops at Latakia Governate Syria, participants in the Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

It has been suggested the location of Syria for Soleimani's whereabouts during the recent funerals in Iran for IRGC Brig. Gen. Hossein Hamedani, KIA in Syria during battle with ISIL.

Lebanese Hezbollah fighting formation armed with Iranian DIO DIO S-5.56 equipped with telescopic sights, during address by IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani at Latakia Governate, Syria.

Lebanese Hezbollah troops provide appearance of all-volunteer professional fighting force

Iamgery of Iranian-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicle equipped with M40 recoilless gun, claimed to be operated by Lebanese Hezbollah at Al-Ghab during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive.

Lebanese Hezbollah troops, claimed to be engaged on the Northern Hama front during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.


Lebanese Hezbollah soldiers claimed depiction at various locations during current Russian-supported Syrian offensive. Left soldier equipped with Dragunov SVD-S sniper rifle, left soldier equipped with AK-type assault rifle.

Heavily armed members of Iran-backed Iraqi-Shia militia group outfitted in what may be IRGC-supplied BDUs, claimed depiction at or around Aleppo during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

Iran-backed Iraqi-Shia militia group members equipped with what may be Toofan ("Typhoon") Iranian-variant of BGM-71 TOW launcher.

Iran-backed National Defense Force members, claimed photographed 13OCT15 at Quneitra Governate upon recapture of Tal Ahmar.

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade members, a Shia-Syrian formation of the Syrian National Defense Force (NDF)

Technicals belonging to Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade, a Shia-Syrian formation of the Syrian National Defense Force (NDF), at Aleppo Governate.

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade member equipped with PKM type general purpose machine gun, at Aleppo Governate

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade vehicle equipped with ZPU-4 anti-aircraft gun, at Aleppo Governate

Background, right: T-55 tank among members of Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade at Aleppo Governate

SyAA/NDF members claimed photographed at recently captured Ashtani village in Hama, during Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

Photos: social media, internet