Culture

Silah Report on the War College Podcast

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Recently Silah Report’s co-founder Miles Vining and Adham Sharif, author and host of Silah Report’s own podcast, had the pleasure of appearing on the War College Podcast where they discussed Silah Report’s work, the cultural significance of weapons in the MENA region and just what a gold plated AK-47 can tell us about war. War … Read more

V21: Marwan the Iraqi Gunsmith

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In the 21st episode of the Silah Report Podcast, an Iraqi gunsmith talks to us at length about his experiences in aesthetically converting a functional 7.62×39mm RPD Light Machine Gun into what could easily be mistaken for an FN Herstal Minimi, or the US-designated M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, 5.56×45mm light machine gun. He takes us on this journey of tinkering and acquiring spare parts, sometimes even carving items like the buttstock out of wood to make it appear to be a plastic one from afar.

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Icon of a Movement: The Syrian ‘PKM’ Wooden Buttstock

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The supply conditions of the ongoing Syrian Civil War set the stage for a necessity of improvisation and invention. Where there is low supply, there is high demand that reflects through inflated market prices for small arms and equipment. This equation lends itself to the iconic PKM-inspired YPG Kalashnikov wooden stock that can be seen in service throughout initially what was the YPG, YPJ, and later morphed into the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The stock itself comes from the Russian 7.62×54mmR general-purpose machine gun.

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V19: A Volunteer from the West in the YPG Part 1

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In this amazing 19th episode of the Silah Report Podcast, we were joined by our guest Rizgar, a European who volunteered with the Kurdish YPG in 2016. He gave us some insight on his journey from being your everyday civilian in Europe to a fighter battling beside the Kurds on the frontlines against ISIS militants. He shares with us some fantastic pictures he took over there and his experience with fellow Kurdish comrades and Western volunteers.

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V15: Bul Armory Cherokee-Delta Defence Handgun Connection and Wacky IDF Sling Subculture

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In this week’s Silah Report podcast we discuss a number of topics including a discussion surrounding one of our recent articles. Delta Defence Group is a brand of polymer frame, semi-automatic handgun that have been appearing in Iraqi and Syrian markets in the past year. But where do they come from and who makes them? Mick and Miles discuss a possible match with the Israeli arms company Bul Armory which has a handgun that is almost identical in every aspect of design.

Then we move to Israel where a new presenter, Saadia, discusses the fascinating subculture of customization among IDF soldiers when it comes to their rifle slings.

If you’d like to have your questions answered by our panel please support Silah Report on Patreon and submit questions as often as you like!

If you missed the previous episode, you can find it here.

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Kalashnikov Stitched Up: Wrapping the AK Platform in Rojava

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A phenomenon that has been observed with YPG/YPJ Fighters in recent years has been the practice of wrapping service rifles with fitted fabric. The extent to which rifles have been fitted goes from small pieces that might just cover the magazine or handguard to full-length covers that can sometimes enclose the entire rifle. The reason behind these wraps range from a sort of camouflage to a purely aesthetic venture.

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The 8mm Mauser AK of the Pak-Afghan Region

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The infamous 7.92 × 57 mm Mauser AK-type self-loading rifle from the Pak-Afghan region, known locally as the ‘8mm AK’ and G3 in Pakistan. A handful of images have been floating around for a number of years. I have been lucky enough to inspect a few examples on both the manufacturing side and in private hands over the past few years.

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V9 Silah Report Podcast: Sinai’s ISIS latest Video, Baluchistan’s Fighters and More!

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Just one day after ISIS in Sinai (also known as Sinai Province or “Wilayat Sinai”) had published its latest video, Silah Report recorded its 9th podcast and discussed the video’s content and analysed it. Miles, Hrachya, and Adham from Silah Report were joined by guests Calibre Obscura, Analyst Mick, Ataka, MENA Conflict, and KhyberAbdullah. ARES Director N.R. Jenzen-Jones also made a special guest appearance.

If you missed last week’s podcast, check it out here.

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Erbil’s Gunsmith: Wasta Bakhtiar-Azizz

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While in Erbil, we sat down with Wasta Bakhtiar-Azizz (وە ستا بە ختیار), one of the best-known and  most highly respected gunsmiths in the Kurdistan region. Within Erbil and beyond, there are a number of gunsmiths that either work on small arms in need of maintenance and repair or perform services such as re-bluing, gold plating, modifications, and a number of other odd jobs that Kurdish gun owners request. Bakhtiar has worked in this community since he was a child, continuing the family’s business of his father, who was himself a renowned gunsmith. His son joins him in running the shop, and his brother owns a separate gun shop on the eastern side of Erbil. In addition to offering commercial gunsmithing services, he also volunteers his services to the Asyeish and Peshmerga, helping in maintaining and repairing their small arms.

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The Last Gunsmiths of The Khyber Pass

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Fog clings to a never-ending row of low-rise buildings down the length of a dusty road, it’s early, around eight o’clock on a cool April morning. The fog clears and voices breakthrough and you see the first glimpses of the large bazaar, sounds of shutters slamming open, doors being unlocked and people greeting each other as their day starts. The occasional chatter of gunfire can be heard as firearms are test fired nearby.

Darra Adam Khel. This bustling town is situated in modern-day Pakistan, a stone’s throw from the Pak-Afghan border. What makes it so special? You may ask and the answer lies within the myriad of myths and legends put out over the years.

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