Analytism newsletter #2
A weekly newsletter about recent developments in the Middle East with a focus on conflicts and non-state actors.
This newsletter is also available in an audio format at this link.
ISIS
Over this week ISIS has claimed a total of 23 attacks in the Middle-East, with 11 of these attacks being in Iraq, 11 in Syria and one in Yemen. Of the 11 claimed attacks from Iraq are five from the Anbar province, two from Wilayat North Baghdad, two from the Kirkuk province, one from Wilayat al-Fallujah and one from the Salah al-Din province. Of the 11 claimed attacks from Syria are six from the Deir ez-Zor province, three from the Homs province, one from the Aleppo province and one from Wilayat al-Baraka. The one attack from Yemen was from the Wilayat al-Bayda.
In the claims released by ISIS they claim to have targeted the Iraqi army, Iraqi Intelligence, the Popular Mobilization Units/Forces (PMU/PMF), the SDF/YPG, the Syrian Arab Army (SyAA) and the Houthis.
Of these attacks in the majority were IEDs (Improvised explosives device) used mostly to target vehicles but also some were used to directly target important local leaders. Other methods of attacks were targeting installations with harassment fire by machine guns, sniper attacks, attacks with RPG type projectiles, a 107mm rocket, targeted assassinations, an ambush and one assault on Houthi positions in Yemen.
On the 4th of August ISIS released a photo report of an attack on a Houthi (also known as Ansar Allah) site in the area of Dahra in the north western part of the Bayda province. The attack appears to have consisted of at least 16 fighters, armed with standard and common AKM rifles. In the attack they captured a PK type machine gun (which is probably a Bulgarian Arsenal MG-1M), three AK magazines, a large and a small solar panel, a handheld radio and what appears to be camouflaged IEDs also known as rock IEDs.
Seen in this picture is one fighter who appears to be giving a speech and the fighters who probably participated in the attack sitting in the background.
Fighters cleaning their AKM and Type-56 rifles.
Picture from the attack, the fighters are moving a solar panel, which they captured and took as Ghanima (war booty).
Picture of the spoils of the attack.
On the 4th of August ISIS released a picture from the Iraqi province of Anbar showing a mortar attack on a claimed headquarter of the Iraqi Army in the area of Ar-Rutbah. The mortar appears to be a 81/82mm mortar.
Picture of a ISIS fighter shooting a mortar in the Anbar province, Iraq.
On the 4th of August ISIS released a photo set which shows two killed (probably executed) claimed members of the SyAA in the Syrian province of Homs in the desert near Al-Sukhnah. In the Syrian Badia (Desert) is ISIS most active in Syria, there their fighters are well armed, a substantial amount probably already has combat experience and there are even some foreign fighters fighting. They also appear to have at least some backing by the locals.
Killed (probably executed) claimed SyAA member near Al-Sukhnah.
Killed (probably executed) claimed SyAA member near Al-Sukhnah.
On the 5th of August ISIS’s Amaq Agency released a short video (0:24) from Iraq in the Anbar province near the Saudi Border which shows a captured vehicle of the Iraqi Border Guards. The fighters are well armed (way superior to most ISIS fighters) with two M4 rifles equipped with ACOG scopes and what appear to be Magpul PMAGs. These weapons are normally seen with high level cells. Of note is that the Iraqi Border Forces started a clearing operation on the 1st of August which continued at least until the 4th of August. During this operation at least one Border Guard was announced killed (announced on the 28th of July) by Daesh (a name used locally for ISIS).
Two well armed ISIS fighters in the Anbar Desert near the Saudi Border, before a vehicle captured from the Iraqi Border Guards.
Logo of the Iraqi Border Guards Command.
The Iraqi Border Guards who are engaged in the clearing operations in the Anbar Desert.
On the 9th of August ISIS released a video titled “Epic Battles of Attrition #4” from the Wilayat al-Khayr (which corresponds mostly to the Syrian Deir ez-Zor province). The video consists of footage from 2019 and 2020 but features mostly re-released footage and a part about the Covid-19 virus.
The banner of the video titled “Epic Battles of Attrition #4”.
The first part of the video is about the Coronavirus also known as Covid-19. ISIS stance on the Coronavirus, as highlighted in a previous al-Naba edition, is that the Coronavirus is a creation of “God” against the “Crusaders”. For more information about this check out this blog post (link) by Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi.
ISIS visual about the Coronavirus.
In the next part a fighter is seen chambering a round in his AKS-74U, which is fitted with a craftmade suppressor and a GoPro camera. This a compact and effective package used for covert actions like executions in villages/cities or raids or drive bys. The same rifle also appeared later, although unsuppressed, which was used to execute a claimed “spy” for the SDF/YPG.
Suppressed AKS-74U with a ISIS fighter.
ISIS fighter using a AKS-74U, with a removed flash hider (likely because it is intended to be otherwise used suppressed), to execute a claimed SDF/YPG “spy”.
After that they show an IED factory, which produces pretty standard IEDs but the blue tons seen are unusually big. The IEDs with a metal container are of the same pattern which ISIS has been producing and using for years, but they were also used by other Insurgent groups in the Middle-East. ISIS also used these IEDs in metal containers for their SVBIEDs payload. Interestingly some IEDs with a metal container appear to have been painted or sealed which ISIS normally does not do.
A standard pattern IED being made with basic tools by ISIS members in an IED factory.
Completed IEDs, the blue ton IEDs appear to be about 125L which is if filled mostly or even to the top deadly for most armoured vehicles in Syria.
Metal container IEDs which appear to have been painted or maybe sealed.
In another two scenes a ISIS fighter can be seen preparing a PG-7VM, a Bulgarian OG-7V (possibly a Arsenal OGi-7MA) and a probably Bulgarian OG-7V. The PG-7VM is an improved version of the HEAT (High Explosives Anti-Tank) PG-7V and the OG-7V is a FRAG (Fragmentation) Anti-Personnel round. Later one of the rounds can be seen shot from a RPG-7 pattern launcher against what is claimed to be a headquarter of the SDF/YPG in Thiban (Deir ez-Zor). These rounds are taken out of their packaging indicating, that they were probably taken out of storage or maybe bought (unlikely).
A PG-7VM round being prepared to be shot.
(Green) Bulgarian OG-7V (possibly a Arsenal OGi-7MA) and (Orange) probably Bulgarian OG-7V being prepared to be shot.
ISIS fighter shooting a RPG-7 launcher.
Then ISIS fighters can be seen preparing IEDs inside a claimed SDF/YPG headquarter in the village of Hawa’ij (Deir ez-Zor). The IEDs seems to have destroyed one side of the building but the other side appears intact.
IEDs being prepared in a claimed SDF/YPG headquarter in Hawa’i, to destroy it.
Before the explosive from the inside of the building.
After the explosion filmed outside of the building.
One of the most common means of attacks shown are ISIS fighters burning small trucks and cars which are claimed by ISIS to be owned by SDF/YPG Intelligence members or SDF/YPG members vehicles. One fighter shown can be seen carrying an AKS-74U with a 45 round RPK-74 magazine, with no muzzle device attached which probably indicates that it is supposed to be suppressed.
ISIS fighter with a AKS-74U with a 45 round RPK-74 magazine and with the flash hider removed.
ISIS burning a car of a claimed member of the SDF/YPG.
ISIS burning the car of a claimed member of the SDF/YPG Intelligence.
ISIS also kidnapped a number of SyAA soldiers, local leaders and SDF/YPG members and executed them. The means of execution are in about half AK pattern rifles but in the other half a pistol of which one was suppressed. The pistols are one old-gen Beretta M92 pattern pistol, a suppressed Beretta M1934/35 and an unidentified pistol which may be a converted blank pistol. The Beretta M1934/35 is commonly used by ISIS cells and mostly used suppressed for covert assassinations.
A Beretta M92 pattern pistol used to execute a claimed member of the SDF/YPG Intelligence.
A suppressed Beretta M1934/35 used to execute a claimed member of the SDF/YPG Intelligence.
An unidentified pistol (may be a converted blank pistol) used to execute a claimed SDF/YPG “spy”.
One of the last parts of the video is showing the aftermath of an attack on a SDF/YPG Humvee in Al-Shuhail. The fighters are staying after the attack in the place which might indicate more operational freedom than previously. One fighters are armed with a RPG-7 with a PG-7VL round and another one with a AKS-74U with “Jungle” taped magazines.
ISIS fighter standing before a destroyed Humvee with a RPG-7 with a PG-7VL round.
ISIS fighter with an AKS-74U with “Jungle” taped magazines.
The last parts are showing three groups pledging “Bayah” (pledging allegiance) to the new ISIS “Caliph” Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. The first pledge appears to be from a lower level cell armed with two AKs and a shotgun. The group from the second pledge at least from their clothing and equipment appears to be a high level squad. The Gorka suite (left) was commonly seen with ISIS fighters and some were even made by ISIS for their fighters. The group in the third pledge are armed with an AKM (Maybe a Egyptian Maadi AKM, note the “crutch” side folding stock), an AKMS and maybe a pistol which the second guy from the left holds.
Group of ISIS fighters pledging “Bayah” (pledging allegiance).
Group of ISIS fighters pledging “Bayah” (pledging allegiance).
Group of ISIS fighters pledging “Bayah” (pledging allegiance).
al-Qaeda
On the 3rd of August AQAPs (al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) media organization al-Malahem Media released a speech by a senior leader of AQAP, Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al-Qusi also known as Khubayb Al-Sudani who was reportedly a previous Guantanamo inmate. The speech is about Somalia, the “Jihad” there and the attack on the US Base at Manda Bay, Kenya by al-Shabab in which three US citizens were killed.
Banner of the speech released by AQAP which features a senior leader.
Opposition/Rebels in Syria
Latakia
During this week there were a total of at least four attempted infiltrations by the SyAA in the northern Latakia mountains in the area of Jabal al Akrad. Reportedly these small groups SyAA who attacked opposition positions consisted of about 10 or more men of which many were killed during the attacks. The first attack on the 3rd was carried out by the SyAA Replublican Guard who an officer during the attack and in later attacks three more SyAA officers and many SyAA soldiers were killed. Namely HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) and other opposition groups and the SyAA also have traded rocket and artillery fire during the week. On the 6th it was also reported that one opposition group (probably HTS) has shot an ATGM in the Abu As’ad area and hit SyAA forces which reportedly caused casualties. On the 9th the Turkish Army started to set up a new observation point in Tal al-Hadada.
A HTS fighter with a 9K111 Fagot ATGM in late July, probably in Latakia. (source)
Hama
This week Hama was relatively quiet with mostly artillery fire being traded by both sides and the fighting being concentrated in Sahl al-Ghab, northern Hama. On the 3rd of August HTS downed a regime Russian made Orlan 10 reconnaissance UAV in Sahl al-Ghab On the 5th of August HTS destroyed a regime fuel tanker with an ATGM in Sahl al-Ghab.
A by HTS downed Russian made Orlan 10 reconnaissance UAV, in northern Hama.
Idlib
As in the other areas there have been artillery fire from both sides and the opposition also fired some Grad rockets and on the 9th of August Turkish artillery targeted regime positions in Jabal al-Zawiya. This week HTS and one of their sub-groups Tavhid va Jihod snipers were quite active with at least five SyAA or Loyalist militias personnel claimed to be killed by snipers in the southern and eastern Idlib countryside. There have been at least one, maybe even two failed infiltration attempts by regime forces on the Deir Sunbul axis in southern Idlib and Jabal al-Zawiya. The attack in Jabal al-Zawiya has been claimed to have been repelled by HTS “Thermal Sniper Brigades”/"Thermal Sniping Companies" who specialized “SOF” fighters who are equipped with thermal scopes. On the 3rd of August images emerged of HTS and FSA (or maybe also SNA) reinforcements heading to the frontlines in Idlib. The SOHR reported on the 7th of August that unknown gunmen assassinated a HTS member in the northern Idlib countryside.
HTS “Thermal Sniper Brigades”/"Thermal Sniping Companies" fighters in a picture released in late may by Ebaa News Agency (HTS affiliated). Their AKM rifles are equipped with Pulsar and Fortuna thermal scopes.
HTS reinforcements, heading to the frontlines in Idlib. (source)
FSA reinforcements (maybe SNA), heading to the frontlines in Idlib. (source)
Aleppo
Aleppo was calm this week with only some clashes being reported on the 5th in the area of Tadef in the Aleppo countryside between the SNA (Syrian National Army) and regime forces. On the 6th of August the al-Moaatsem Brigade released a picture and statement in which they claim to have arrested an ISIS cell in the “Euphrates Shield” area.
Suspected ISIS cells arrested by the al-Moaatsem Brigade in the “Euphrates Shield” area.
al-Hasakah
On the 7th of August the al-Hamza division released a picture and statement in which they claim to have seized a S/VBIED and arrested the driver in Ras al-Ayn, al-Hasakah province. There are two groups which either claim or are suspected to carry out SVBIED attacks which are the YPG and Harakat Al Intiqam Al Islami who claim SVBIED attacks in the area. A new insurgent group (which appears to be pro-YPG) was established by the name of "Martyr Ammar Al-Hajji revenge battalion", they claimed their first attack on the 3rd of August in which they claimed to have assassinated a claimed Turkish soldier using a suppressed pistol. They also claimed a VBIED attack on FSA/SNA forces in Ras al-Ain on the 31th of July.
al-Hamza Division claims to have seized a S/VBIED and arrested the driver in Ras al-Ayn, al-Hasakah province.
The new group "Martyr Ammar Al-Hajji revenge battalion" claimed an attack against a claimed Turkish soldier and released this picture.
The new group "Martyr Ammar Al-Hajji revenge battalion" claimed a VBIED attack in Ras al-Ain on the 31th of July.
HTS
HTS and their sub-groups this week mostly published images and some videos from their artillery and Grad rocket systems targeting regime forces in Idlib in Kafr Nabl and Jabala.
HTS shooting Grad rockets targeting regime positions in Kafr Nabl.
HTS targeting regime positions with artillery in Kafr Nabl.
On the 9th of August the HTS sub-group Harakat Salah al-Din al-Kurdi released a picture of one of their snipers on “Ribat” (Frontline) in Jabal al-Zawiya. The sniper is holding a locally craftmade AMR (anti-material rifle), which are mostly used against soft and longer range targets. The craftmade AMRs fill the need for AMRs in Idlib because factory made AMRs are rare and rather expensive locally. The craftmade AMRs use a HMG barrel which can be precise depending on the users capability, scope, ammo etc.
Harakat Salah al-Din al-Kurdi fighter in the mountains of Jabal al-Zawiya.
On the 5th of August the HTS sub-group Tavhid va Jihod (also known as Tawhid wal Jihad) released a sniper about their snipers tilted (roughly, translated by software) “Fire Power part 2”. The video features in the first part training of snipers and later footage from the front and shots at regime forces.
Tavhid va Jihod trained at a sniper range in Idlib with a Iranian AM-50 Sayyad, a heavily modified FN FALO and a heavily modified Mosin.
The range appears to be the same Xhemati Alban trained at a few months ago.
One of the weapons used by the snipers is a heavily modified FN FALO (LMG version), whose furniture was replaced by a craftmade custom stock and handguard, and it is fitted with a Bushnell style scope, bipod, a craftmade suppressor and it features a digital desert camouflage paint job. It appears that the rifle was later used by a sniper at the front to take shots at regime forces which seemed to have been quite deadly.
Heavily modified FN FALO rifle used by a Tavhid va Jihod sniper.
Another weapon shown is a Iranian AM-50 Sayyad AMR, which was fitted with what appears to be a very rare Austrian Kahles scope. The AM-50 Sayyad is the most common factory made AMR in Idlib which was probably captured from SyAA/Loyalists forces or from Iranian-proxies who all received these rifles from Iran. This type of rifle was later used to attack a regime vehicle at a claimed range of 1.72km which led to the destruction of the vehicle.
Iranian AM-50 Sayyad used by a Tavhid va Jihod sniper.
The before mentioned vehicle burning, after being set on fire by incendiary rounds shot from an AM-50 Sayyad.
Armor-piercing incendiary tracer 12.7x108mm BZT-44 rounds shown during training.
The last type of rifle which appeared in the video, is a heavily modified Mosin Nagant rifle. The particular rifle shown is a Russian M91 Mosin Nagant which is possible over 100 years old but is still in service. The original stock and the barrel were replaced, the stock is locally custom made and the barrel was taken from a PKT machine gun. The rifle is fitted with Bushnell style scope and a locally craftmade suppressor. With this setup these rifles can be quite precise and effective platforms with some users reportedly achieving 1 MOA of accuracy. The trend to upgrade Mosin Nagant in Idlib came to be because of the cost and the limited amount of factory produced sniper rifles which tend to cost over $1k USD or even more.
Heavily modified Mosin Nagant in use with a Tavhid va Jihod sniper.
Heavily modified Mosin Nagant in use with a Tavhid va Jihod sniper.
The snipers of Tavhid va Jihod are reasonably good equipped, appear to continuously train and are deadly as shown from the videos released of them attacking regime forces. Currently nearly everyday regime SyAA/Loyalists militias personnel are killed by snipers on the front especially in eastern Idlib and in southern Aleppo.
Infographic featured in the video which is about the sniper operations by Tavhid va Jihod.
On the 3rd of August HTS released a 1:33:04 min video titled "Tahadath Ikhbaraha" which is a reference to an ayat in Sura 99 in the Qur'an (source). This video is the longest ever released by HTS and even longer than everything ISIS has released. The video is about the battle of Idlib which started in late April last year with several offensives by the SyAA and Loyalists militias supported by Iranian-proxy forces, Russian PMCs and the Russian Air Force.
Banner of the video released by HTS Amjad media titled "Tahadath Ikhbaraha".
The video features an interview with Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of HTS, and also interviews with HTS commanders.
The video starts with footage from the fighting from mid-2019 from northern Hama, most was previously published by other HTS media.
The video starts with footage from the fighting from mid-2019 from northern Hama, most was previously published by other HTS media.
Also shown is the training of what appears to be Syrians fighters with Liwa Muhajireen wal-Ansar (LMA, HTS sub-group).
And it also shows the training of the foreign fighters of Liwa Muhajireen wal-Ansar, all with high-value weapons and equipment.
Later footage is shown from fighting in eastern Idlib from around late 2019 and early 2020.
Shown were also SVBIEDs (Suicide Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive device), this particular one was used by HTS near Kafr Doun in southern Idlib on August 18, 2019.
A HTS SVBIED explosion from near Tel Sukayk south-east of Khan Shaykoun in southern Idlib.
The video continues with footage from the February 2020 fighting in southern Aleppo city.
The video ends with footage from the fighting in southern Idlib from February/March 2020.
FSA/SNA
On the 3rd of August Jaysh al-Izza re-released (originally released in mid-July) a video from their Martyr Abdul Basit Al-Sarout camp, announcing they are recruiting. After Jaysh al-Izza lost their stronghold in Hama in 2019, they appear to currently try to rebuild their former capabilities.
The video shows two tanks which are a T72 and a T-62, a MT-LB APC and a technical with a ZPU-2 anti-air.
Jaysh al-Izza fighters training an assault, with a craftmade APC. They are armed with standard AKM/S and a RPG-7 with a PG-7VM round.
On the 5th of August the NLF (National Liberation Front) released a photo report from “Ribat” (frontline) positions in the western Aleppo countryside.
On the 5th of August the NLF (National Liberation Front) released a photo report from “Ribat” (frontline) positions in the western Aleppo countryside.
On the 8th of August the Sultan Murad Division released a photo report about the graduation of a new batch of fighters of the 95th Special Forces Brigade. The training is rather typical for FSA groups, in the first part is an obstacle course with as usual fire being involved. Later some martial arts training. The last part of the video is a mock raid, one fighter provides overwatch with a Mosin Nagant rifle (barrel is likely worn out and the scope is bad so very likely not an effective platform), and one fighter performs a “takedown”.
Sultan Murad Division, 95th Special Forces Brigade fighters going through an obstacle course.
Sultan Murad Division, 95th Special Forces Brigade “sniper” with a Mosin Nagant. (The helmet is just a bump helmet with no ballistic capabilities)
Sultan Murad Division, 95th Special Forces Brigade performing a “takedown”.
Other
On the 5th of August a group called “Kataib Khattab al-Shishani” released a video about an SVBIED attack on the 14th of July on a Joint Russian-Turkish patrol on the M4 highway in Idlib. The attack wounded three Russian soldiers and damaged their BTR-80A APC (armoured personnel carrier) lightly and a near driving Turkish Kipri APC was also damaged but no Turkish soldiers were wounded. The group first appeared on the 16th of June when they claimed an IED attack also on the M4 also on a Russian BTR-80A APC. The group appears to be a cover/front. They have so far just claimed two attacks, the June 16th IED attack and the July 14th SVBIED attack and have not existed previously.
Banner of the video released by the group called “Kataib Khattab al-Shishani”.
The SVBIED blast as shown in the video released by “Kataib Khattab al-Shishani”.
The Russian BTR-80A damaged by the SVBIED blast.
The claimed SVBIED driver "Abu Ubaidah al-Ansari", reading a message. The rifle besides him is a common Type 3 AK(-47).
Regime controlled territory
Hama
On the 4th of August reportedly a group of fighters which are believed to be ISIS members, attacked the NDF (National Defense Force) in the village of Jib Abyad in eastern Hama. On the 5/6th of August a group, that is presumed to be ISIS fighters, attacked a NDF position near Saan in eastern Hama. (source)
Homs
On the 7th ISIS ambushed soldiers of the SyAA 11th Armoured Division on the Palmyra round in Homs. At least one of them was killed. (source)
Deir ez-Zor
On the 3rd of August the NDF claimed to have “found” an ammunition depot in the city of al-Mayyad in eastern Deir ez-Zor, which appears to be faked. Over the last year and more the regime and affiliated media like SANA have released photos and videos of claimed newly discovered arms caches of which the majority especially in the south of Syria appears to have been faked. Reportedly on the 7th of August there have been clashes between the NDF and the pro-regime militia Used al-Sharqiya after disagreements about the distribution of loot, which reportedly resulted in several injured NDF fighters.
Ammunition cache claimed to be “found” by the NDF in Deir ez-Zor, which appears to be faked.
Daraa
On the 3rd of August a former rebel fighter was reportedly assassinated in the town of Tafas in western Daraa. The next day a regime intelligence collaborator was reportedly assassinated on the road between Tafas and al-Muzayrip in western Daraa. On the 6th of August a regime soldier was reportedly killed by an unknown attacker near Daraa city. On the 7th of August a former rebel who after he reconciled with the regime joined the Syrian Air Force intelligence was executed near Saham Jolan in north western Daraa. (source) Also killed on this day was a border guard, member of the 8th brigade, near Daraa city. (source)
Quneitra
On the 3rd of August the IDF (Isreali Defence Forces) foiled an IED attack close to the border fence between Syria and Israel (32°52'30.47"N 35°50'58.91"E) near he Syrian village of Saidah, in Quneitra. The IED appears to have been hidden in a child backpack. The IED was planted by four men who were later killed when walking away from the IED, probably by a drone. Of those four people one appears to have been a local Baath Party secretary.
An IED discovered by the IDF near the village of Saidah, in Quneitra.
Location of the IED which was planted near Saidah, in Quneitra.
Thermal footage from the group when planting the IED.
The group is walking away from the IED.
Probably a drone strike on the before mentioned group.
SDF/NES controlled northern Syria
Over this week SNA or Turkish forces several times targeted villages west of Tal Abyad with “heavy weapons” and artillery. The SDF also claims that the Turkish military has targeted Qamishlo with a drone which reportedly led to the injury of several civilians. The SDF/YPGs YAT claimed on the 3rd of August to have arrested several suspected Turkish Intelligence agents in the northern Raqqa countryside.
On the 9th of August the SDF claims to have discovered an ISIS cache with a total of 46 anti-tank mines and fertilizer probably meant for IEDs in Raqqa. Most of these mines appear to be Soviet anti-tank mines, either being TM-62M mines or TM-46 mines.
Soviet anti-tank mines from a claimed ISIS cache in Raqqa.
On the 5th of August the SDF announced a motorcycle ban in west and east Deir ez-Zor which will be from six in the evening to six in the morning. This is in response to ISIS attacks who used motorcycles for attacks. On the 6th of August the SDF claims to have arrested seven gunmen (probably ISIS) during an anti-ISIS operation in eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor. Also on the 6th a commander of the SDF al-Bukamal regiment was assassinated reportedly with a “silenced weapon”, suggesting possibly ISIS carried out this attack.
The SDF arrested a man on the 7th of August a few days after he assassinated a senior local tribal leader Sheikh Muttshar al-Hifil in Deir ez-Zor. In the statement released by the SDF they claim the man was part of the “Arab armed resistance” which they claim was established by the Syrian Intelligence. During the interrogation he claims there is another cell of the “Arab armed resistance” in al-Hasakah.
On the 7th of August the SDF claims to have arrested another nine gunmen in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor city. And on the same day someone threw a hand grenade on an empty road in Qamishlo, the grenade used a UZRGM fuze indicating that it was probably either a F1 or RGD-5 grenade.
Iraq
This week in Iraq have been several IEDs attacks and attempts, which were foiled by Iraqi security forces. One IED attack on the 4th of August targeted a Police car in the Dhi Qar governorate. And on the 5th of August an IED targeted a convoy which was transporting equipment for the international coalition in the Dhi Qar governorate. On 9th of August a group by the name of “Saraya Thorat Al-Ashrin Al-Thaniyah” claimed an attack on a convoy transporting equipment for the international coalition in Dhi Qar. Also in Dhi Qar but on the 7th of August, the Iraqi Police seized a car which was packed with two (one bigger and one smaller) IEDs and arrested the driver. The Iraqi intelligence discovered an IED factory in Tal Afar, Ninneveh.
The Iraqi army clashed with ISIS on the 6th in the governorate of Diyala, which reportedly left one Iraqi soldier dead and three injured. On the same day the PMU/PMF fired with 107mm rockets at ISIS positions in the Hawija area.
During the week the Iraqi army supported by the Iraqi intelligence searched the Anbar desert, Nineveh and in Basra and discovering several IEDs and other explosives. Aunit of the Iraqi military discovered a number of weapons and explosives (hand grenades and suicide belts) north of Baghdad.
On the 4th of August two 107mm rockets targeted the Imam Ali Mosque north of Baghdad, but they did not explode and were later disposed of. On the 5th of August there were a further two attacks with 107mm rockets on the Green zone in Baghdad and the Taji camp north of Baghdad. Also on this day Iraqi security forces discovered seven 107mm rockets south of Baghdad.
Iraqi security forces arrested a number of ISIS fighters this week, three of which are claimed members of “Divan al-Jund” of ISIS, which are claimed to be responsible for the manufacture of IEDs. The Iraqi Intelligence Agency arrested nine claimed ISIS members in Kirkuk and Baghdad governorates. The Iraqi army arrested one ISIS member in Kirkuk who was reportedly carrying IEDs. The Iraqi Intelligence announced they have arrested one ISIS member who is suspected to be responsible for a 2008 IED attack which killed nearly 150 people. The Nineveh Police arrested two claimed ISIS members who were working for ISIS during their occupation in Mosul. The Iraqi Intelligence arrested six suspected terrorists (probably ISIS) in the Salahuddin governorate.
The Iraqi border guard started a anti-ISIS operation on the 1st of August which continued at least until the 4th of August, during which at least one border guard was killed. Media released by ISIS suggest they clashed with the border guards and captured one vehicle.
The Iraqi commander of the operations in Diyala announced the cooperation with the KRG Peshmerga to fight ISIS wh hide between on Iraqi and KRG border in the mountains. This is a crucial step towards outing ISIS from this area.
The Iraqi army captured five Chinese M89P grenades, at least two ammo cans and (not pictured) what appears to be a mortar tube.
The Iraqi discovered a claimed ISIS cache with 60/82/120mm mortar rounds, which appear to have their explosives harvested probably to be used in IEDs.
The Iraqi army in Salahuddin discovered these munitions, probably left by ISIS. These are one PG-7V, six PG-7VM, one PG-7VL and three OG-7V rounds. Also found (but not pictured) were mortar rounds, ammunition cans and five AT mines.
A Tabuk/M70AB2, four PG-7V rounds, four IEDs and three explosives belts captured by the Iraqi army from ISIS north of Baghdad.
IEDs and their pressure plates were disarmed by the Iraqi army in Anbar.
The Iraqi army seized a PG-7V, a PG-7VM, two 120mm mortar rounds, IEDs and several pressure plates at an unspecified location.
The Iraqi Intelligence seized 11 unfinished and two complete IEDs, several mortar rounds (60mm~ and 120mm~) in Kirkuk.
Seized explosives found by the Iraq Police in a car Dhi Qar.
Two mortar rounds (60mm~), an ammo belt and several IEDs seized in Nineveh.
A number of IEDs discovered by the Iraqi army supported by Iraqi Intelligence in Anbar.
The Iraqi Military Intelligence found a claimed ISIS cache consisting of a Nadar (Iranian PG-7VM~), two PG-7VM and at least eight Chinese HEI-AP and a number of mortar rounds. Also seized were several ammunition cans and large caliber ammunition (23mmm).
KRG
The operation of the Turkish armed forces “Operation Claw-Tiger” is still continuing, which started on the 15th of June in northern Iraq.
Over this week in the scope of this operation there have been several clashes between Turkish forces and the PKK/HPG during which at least eight PKK/HPG fighters were killed by clashes and air strikes. The PKK/HPG/YJA-Star claimed they have killed 31 Turkish soldiers, which is a very overstated number with only one being confirmed killed and two more wounded.
On the 5th of August the Turkish army captured in northern Iraq; two AKM rifles, a PK/M machine gun, a RPG-7 rocket launcher and three PG-7V, two PG-7VL, one Chinese HEI-AP and a PG-7VM round. Also captured were a number of F1, GHD-2, Mk2 and Iranian M-DM 11 copies and 7.62x39mm and 7.62x54r ammunition was captured.
Weapons and munitions captured from the PKK/HPG in northern Iraq by Turkish forces.
On the 8th of August media reported that the Asayîş (Police/Security forces) of the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) have arrested six suspected ISIS fighters in an operation in the Silêmanî governorate.
Turkey
On the 9th of August the Turkish Gendarmerie and the Turkish (local) Police in Derik/Dêrik clashed with the PKK/HPG, during which two PKK/HPG fighters were killed.
On the 6th of August the YPS/YPS-JIN released a statement of claimed sabotage operations against the Turkish army in July. In the statement they claim to have killed a total of 10 Turkish Police SOF and injured 51, to have destroyed 9 vehicles, 5 facilities (factories and a military hangar) and several pieces of military equipment such as a generator and jammer. These claims are very likely way, way overstated and some just untrue for example during the month of July only three Police officers were killed/died of which one was murdered (killed by a robber), one was heavily injured during a foot chase and succumbed to his wounds and one died in a car accident.
Israel/Palestinian Territories
On the 3rd of August rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel, in response the IDF targeted Hamas (probably meaning al-Qassam) workshops which manufactured parts for constructing underground structures and military facilities in the Gaza strip. (source) During this week several militant groups in Gaza launched balloons with IEDs and incendiary devices attached which caused multiple fires in southern Israel.
(Example picture) A IED balloon launched by the Sons of al-Zawari, attached to the balloon is an obsolete PG-2 warhead. These are popularly used for all kinds of IEDs, as they are obsolete against Israeli armoured vehicles. (Picture source)
Saraya al-Quds (also known as the al-Quds Brigades) released on the 3rd of August a video (35:37) tilted “The Spider House”, which is about Saraya al-Quds countering Isreali Intelligence activities.
Banner of the video released by Saraya al-Quds tilted “The Spider House”.
Miscellaneous
On the 4th of August Liwa Fatemiyoun pro-Iran/pro Syrian regime Shia militia, released a video from a training camp in Syria. The training is mostly a show for locals and staged for this video. Some fighters are seen moving around with their AKs in formation and also some scenes of material arts are included.
Liwa Fatemiyoun moving in formation.
Liwa Fatemiyoun fighters standing in formations, the fighter at the front appears to be giving a speech.
Liwa Fatemiyoun snipers, armed with SVD rifles and one with an AM-50 Sayyad AMR.
Liwa Liwa Fatemiyoun sniper with an AM-50 Sayyad AMR.
On the 6th of August the Bahraini Ministry of Interior claimed to have seized explosives being smuggled from Iran and also seized two cars loaded with explosives. The Bahraini Ministry of Interior claims that the arrested persons confessed that Hezbollah was behind this operation.
On the 7th of August a guard of a Hamas official was injured by a small IED placed on his car in Sidon, Lebanon.