This article will focus on the light support weapons shown in the propaganda of Xhemati Alban in 2020. This is the final part of our four part series. The introduction and the first part can be found here, the second part here and the part three here.
Light Weapons
The two types of light weapons they employ are AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers (AGL) and SPG-9 recoilless rifles (RCL). They have specialized themselves in the precise use of SGP-9 and mainly use them against soft-targets, and fortified positions and not against vehicles. They used both PG-9V HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) and OG-9V HE-Frag (High-Explosive Fragmentation) munitions, the first against structures and personnel and the latter likely against personnel. They are very precise when using them, in one instance they hit an approximately 1×2 window of a fortified pro-Regime position at a distance of at least several hundred meters in Latakia.
They mainly have employed SPG-9s in Latakia against pro-Regime positions and structures but propaganda released by the group of one case features them using a SPG-9D/M in south-eastern Idlib probably against pro-Regime personnel. Of note is that in the latter instance they used they probably used the features of the SPG-9M a scope, which is capable of indirect fire which they appear to have employed using OG-9V HE-Frag munitions of unknown origin (externally they are consistent with Soviet and Bulgarian produced munitions). One of the main ways of the current fighting is done with ranged weapons like SPG-9s. In a video released by the group they are training fighters (group of 10 fighters) of unknown origin (possibly HTS) with a SPG-9DM and two AGS-17. They appear to not only utilize their skill to attack pro-Regime forces but also to train other fighters of the opposition in using such weapons systems.
Fig 1.1 Xhemati Alban fighter firing an SPG-9DM in Kabani, Latakia at pro-Regime positions, from March 2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.2 The pro-Regime position which will be hit later in a video posted by Xhemati Alban, from March 2020. Note the roof was made out of a UNHCR tarp, which was meant for IDPs and refugees [21]. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.3 SPG-9DM shown during a training session, the whiteboard in the background features the technical specifications of SPG-9 RCLs, from mid-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.4 Xhemati Alban fighter shooting OG-9V HE-Frag rounds with a SPG-9D/M in south-eastern Idlib, from early-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
The SPG-9 in use with Xhemati Alban are SPG-9DM and one which is either a SPG-9D or SPG-9DM. The SPG-9D had been developed for the Soviet paratroopers, it can be equipped with wheels and can be towed. The SPG-9M and SPG-9DM feature the PGOK-9 sight, which is capable of both indirect and direct fire opposed to the PGO-9 (standard optic on earlier versions) which is only capable of direct fire [23]. One SPG-9DM used during training and one SPG-9DM used in Latakia appears to be of Romanian manufacture (the finish fits the Romanian SPG-9DM/A.G.-9). Another SPG-9DM used in south-eastern Idlib couldn’t be Identified but is consistent with Soviet Union and Bulgarian produced SPG-9D/M RCLs.
Fig 1.5 Xhemati Alban fighter loading a PG-7V/N (the markings and finish don’t fit Bulgarian or Soviet Union made munitions) into a SPG-9DM during training, from mid-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.6 Xhemati Alban loading a SPG-9DM with a PG-9V/N round, probably in Latakia, from March 2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.7 Xhemati Alban fighter holding a (possibly Romanian) PG-9V/N round during training, from mid-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.8 Xhemati Alban fighter with OG-9V HE-Frag munitions in south-eastern Idlib, from early-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.9 Three PG-9V/N and two OG-9V rounds, most munitions fit Bulgarian and Soviet Union produced variants but the far right PG-9V/N is of unknown origin (possibly Romanian), from mid-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Also shown being used in training were two AGS-17 AGLs. They only showed one instance in which they used AGS-17 against pro-Regime forces in Latakia, which appeared to be just harassing fire. In previous years they used them more precisely, hitting pro-Regime positions. The munitions used during the training were VOG-17M 30 × 29 mm munitions, which are intended to be used against personnel in the open or in light shelters [23]. It fits the use by the group, who has attacked lightly protected pro-Regime positions, the pro-Regime positions consisted of trenches dug and positions made out of barrels filled with unknown material (probably stones, earth of or a mix of these), tires and on the top just tarps.
Fig 1.10 AGS-17 AGL used in training by Xhemati Alban, from mid-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.11 Fighters loading VOG-17M 30 × 29 mm munitions in a belt before they are being shot during the training by Xhemati Alban, from mid-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
Fig 1.12 Xhemati Alban fighter firing an AGS-17 against a pro-Regime position in Kabani, Latakia, from late June-2020. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban)
The training site used above by Xhemati Alban to shoot SPG-9DM and AGS-17 is located northwest of Jisr al-Shughur in the province of Idlib, and close to the village of Shugur Qadim. Interestingly close to the site where Xhemati Alban have conducted the training is a training site which has been shown used by HTS in a late April 2020 video about their “Thermal Sniping Companies” (fighters equipped with a thermal scope on their rifles). The approximate distance between the Xhemati Alban training site to the training site shown in the before mentioned HTS video, is below 500m. Note in the pictures below the marked structure on the Xhemati Alban Geolocation (Fig 2.15) and in the HTS geolocation (Fig 2.16), it is the same structure.
Fig 1.13 The Xhemati Alban training site. Several frames of the video released have been aligned by the author which can be compared to images from Google Maps. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban; and Google Maps)
Fig 1.14 The Xhemati Alban training site. A frame from the video released can be compared to an image from Google Maps. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban; and Google Maps)
Fig 1.15 The Xhemati Alban training site. Several frames of the video released have been aligned by the author which can be compared to images from Google Maps. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban; and Google Maps and Apple Maps [via satellites.pro])
Fig 1.16 HTS fighters from the “Thermal Sniping Companies” training, at a site close to the site where Xhemati Alban trained a few months later. A frame from the video released can be compared to an image from Google Maps. (Source: Propaganda released by Xhemati Alban; and Google Maps and Apple Maps [via satellites.pro])
Conclusion
The group is quite small compared to other groups operating in the area, but has been specialized in the use of snipers and light weapons. And have shown proficiency in their usage of light weapons, and their limited sniper operations. But they are not limited to that, they also provide fighters to man Ribat (frontline) positions, in Latakia. At the current stage of the fight for Idlib and parts of the neighboring provinces which are opposition held, the main fighting is done via ranged weaponry (artillery, Grad rockets, ATGM, and SPG-9) and also sniper attacks. Over the months since the last heavy fighting, especially the snipers of the opposition are quite active and are the main source of casualties among pro-Regime forces [24]. Although we haven’t yet seen Xhemati Alban contributing in this, we can expect it as their main specializations being used to fight. But we have not seen media released of such activities (besides the aforementioned sniper attack in Latakia). In short they remain a small but very potent group which continues to be active in north-western Syria.
References
[21] Unrefugees.org. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.unrefugees.org/gifts/all-gifts/plastic-tarp/>
[22] Сергей, Л., 2020. СПГ-9 Копье – станковый противотанковый гранатомет, история разработки и применение, конструкция и боеприпасы, характеристики, достоинства и недостатки, модификации, стрельба. [online] Militaryarms.ru. Available at: <https://militaryarms.ru/oruzhie/granatomety/spg-9/>
[23] bulcomersks. n.d. 30mm Round IO-30 (VOG-17M)::High Explosive Grenade – bulcomersks. [online] Available at: <https://bulcomersks.com/military-products/ammunition/under-barrel-revolver-grenade-ammunitions/30mm-round-io-30-vog-17m/>
[24] 2020. [online] Available at: <https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/1247129379861417985?s=20>
If you enjoy our work here at Silah Report please consider supporting us on Patreon!