In March 1962 the Israeli Defence Forces launched a raid on Syrian positions in the village of Al-Nuqayb, on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee. The raid, known as Operation Swallow (מבצע סנונית) was described by the IDF as a retaliation for Syrian attacks on Israeli fishermen in the Sea of Galilee. During the operation Israeli commandos captured a selection of weapons which were subsequently displayed for the press. In this article we’ll examine the weapons captured.
Matthew Moss
The Croatian VHS-2 In Iraq
The VHS-2 bullpup self-loading rifle manufactured by Croatia’s HS Produkt became one of the most frequently seen rifles during the Iraqi counter-offensives against ISIS during 2015-17. The rifle regularly appeared in news reports and social media posts and became somewhat synonymous with the fighting for Fallujah and Mosul.
How YOU can make a difference in Afghanistan
Silah Report has studied the small arms history, traditions and culture of Middle East & North Africa for many years. Our founder Miles Vining is an Afghanistan veteran and has worked with organisations as a civilian. The US’ hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan has created a humanitarian nightmare centred around a chaotic evacuation from Kabul. There … Read more
The Baghdad (Simonov-Iraqi): Iraq’s First Mass-Produced Service Rifle?
In a video for TFBtv Miles tackles the mysterious ‘Baghdad’ 7.62×39mm chambered self-loading rifle – the Rasheed derivative of unclear origins that appears to have been produced from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. Our understanding of the ‘Baghdad Rifle’ is still evolving.
The Egyptian Hakim Rifle
Silah Report’s editor in chief, Miles Vining, recently published a new TFBtv video discussing the history, mechanics and use of the Egyptian 7.92×57mm Hakim rifle.
Egyptian Vickers Gun
At the beginning of the Second World War Britain ordered 200 Vickers medium machine guns, chambered in .303, to be sent to Egypt. The guns were ordered directly from the Vickers-Armstrong company and were to be used by the Egyptian army. The Vickers MG Collection & Research Association recently shared an interesting video examining one of these Egyptian Vickers.
ARES New Research Paper Looks at Online Arms Trade in Syria
Armament Research Services have published a new research paper, Analysing the Online Arms Trade in Opposition-controlled Syria. It provides a ‘first-look’ analysis of more than 800 individual trades of small arms, light weapons, munitions, and blank-firing weapons conducted during a three-month period between 1 November 2020 and 31 January 2021. A collaborative effort between affiliates of both ARES and Silah Report the new report lays out a framework for more detailed future work.
Gulf War 30: Captured Iraqi Small Arms of Desert Storm
This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Gulf War. A conflict which saw a grand coalition of Western countries, Arab nations and Gulf states unite to liberate Kuwait from the grip of Saddam Hussein. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the small arms and light weapons captured by the coalition forces during the 100 hour ground campaign that saw allied forces sweep through Kuwait and into Iraq before a ceasefire was called on 28th February 1990.
Forgotten Weapons Reviews Into Helmand with the Walking Dead
Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons has reviewed, Silah Report’s editor-in-chief and co-founder, Miles Vining’s new book ‘Into Helmand With The Walking Dead‘. The book includes passages from Miles’ friend Kevin Schranz, another former Marine combat veteran who sadly took his own life in 2015. The book brings together their experiences in Helmand and after. Miles was also recently a guest on Ian’s channel and discussed Iraqi Tabuk AK-pattern rifles.
Silah Report On Reaper Feed – Darra Adam Khel
Miles Vining, our Khan in Chief, has written a guest article for Reaper Feed looking at the legendary ‘Khyber Pass region and its firearms history. Miles discusses the region’s history as a hub for handmade firearms, why the term ‘Khyber Pass’ is increasingly misrepresentative, and the importance of the region’s focal point Darra Adam Khel as a manufacturing hub that blends traditional and modern production methods. Miles looks at the culture, production methods and industry of Darra as well as how the region is continuing to change – as it always has – to meet new trends and demands within the local firearms culture.