Syrian rebels seize Aleppo, capturing tanks and aircraft
Syrian fighters from the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction have taken control of Aleppo, where Bashar al-Assad's regime forces abandoned a substantial amount of military equipment, ranging from tanks to aircraft. Here's an overview of what the jihadists from HTS have captured.
8:19 AM EST, December 3, 2024
Jihadists from HTS have occupied Aleppo along with its surrounding areas and the region near the city of Hama. Syrian armed forces, caught by surprise at the beginning of the offensive, panicked and abandoned their positions, leaving behind significant military equipment. As a result, HTS has acquired not only armored vehicles but also aircraft and anti-aircraft systems.
Below are examples of the armored equipment captured, including infantry fighting vehicles BMP-1/2, tanks T-54/55, T-62, and T-72, with two T-90A tanks, which will supplement the one or two already used by HTS. There was even a fully loaded BM-27 Uragan multiple rocket launcher with a range of over 19 miles.
Tanks and rocket artillery — A painful loss for Syria
T-90A tanks represent a significant upgrade from T-72B tanks, primarily due to their advanced fire control systems with thermal imaging and modern night vision, allowing them to operate effectively at night and in adverse weather conditions.
The T-90A tanks are factory-equipped with Kontakt-5 reactive armor, which is uncommon for Syrian forces. Generally, only the newer T-72B and B3 (slightly over 300 units) delivered from Russia after 2015 have this feature. Bashar al-Assad's regime possesses at most a few dozen T-90A tanks.
Aviation and anti-aircraft systems — Significant limitations for Bashar al-Assad's regime's air capabilities
HTS fighters surprisingly captured a significant portion of Syrian air defense systems, including an entire S-125 Neva battery, a self-propelled Pantsir-S1 system, and a Buk-M2 system. Additionally, the rebels seized Mi-8/17 helicopters, L-39 aircraft and MiG-23 aircraft stationed at an airport near Aleppo. However, these aircraft may not be operable because kamikaze drones previously attacked the airport.
While aircraft without logistical support and trained pilots hold limited value, their removal from Bashar al-Assad's regime will likely reduce the intensity of bombings. Unfortunately, it is unclear what condition Syria's military aviation is currently in after years of civil war. Only a small portion of the pre-war fleet likely remains operational. Under such conditions, even the loss of single units is significant.
The captured anti-aircraft systems may prove more useful for the rebels, as if they learn to use them, they could pose a legitimate threat to Syrian and Russian aviation. This is particularly true for the Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2, which can target aircraft at distances of 12 miles and 25-43 miles, respectively, depending on the missiles available.
In contrast, the stationary S-125 Neva system is likely to serve as a source for improvised ballistic missiles, similar to what occurred in Libya some time ago. While the range and accuracy of such weapons will be minimal, a 110-pound fragmentation warhead, possibly with a larger supply of TNT, could still cause significant damage.
