On March 12, 2015, offices of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) officially announced that rifles used in military service would be fitted with an enhanced trigger guard shell, flaring over the left and right sides of the factory trigger guard.[1] Some observers outside Turkey initially interpreted these enhanced trigger guards as an anti-riot modification or an apparatus that protects the triggers from external tampering in a struggle. The purpose of using these trigger guards, however, is darker than it appears. The concept was developed to prevent TAF soldiers from committing suicide using their G3 self-loading 7.62×51mm service rifles.
Training
V20: Post Shot Show 2020 Episode
In this episode, Miles, Matthew Moss (historian, author and Silah Report’s Editor) and Nate (one of our great patrons) discussed a variety of interesting firearms and equipment they noticed in SHOT Show 2020.
V19: A Volunteer from the West in the YPG Part 1
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.
V18: IDF Gear Review and Excalibur Grenade Launcher in Libya
In the 18th episode of Silah Report, our guest was IDF Gear Review, who enlightened us about small arms in Israel. He also shed light on some of the cultural aspects of the IDF. Miles spoke about his brief experience with one of the IDF units when he visited Israel recently. Finally, an extremely exotic grenade launcher found in Libya and following some research has been able to enlighten us about its origins.
Silah Report Podcast V10: Missile and Drone strikes on KSA’s Oil Refineries,AK74s in Syria and More!
In the latest episode of Silah Report Podcast, we spoke about the shocking news of missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s oil refineries, discussing how this was possible in the first place and which players in the region may be behind it. As well as the types of drones and missiles which may have been used. We also discussed 5.45 x 39mm smalls arms in Iraq and Syria.
V8 Silah Report Podcast: sniper ‘battalions’ in Idlib, G36 rifles & more!
In episode 8 of the Silah Report Podcast, Miles and Adham are joined by guests AnalystMick, Daniel, and AbuZaben to discuss their recent findings in the MENA region. We cover sniper ‘battalions’ in Idlib, interesting SALW being offered for sale in Yemen, German vs. Saudi G36 rifles, and more! We also answer questions provided by our Patreon backers at the $5 or more per month level. Want to ask us a question related to small arms and light weapons in the Middle East, North Africa, or Central Asia regions? Become a backer today!
https://soundcloud.com/silah-report/v8-silah-report-podcast-sniper-battalions-in-idlib-g36s-and-more
Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan regularly publishes news on their official website. We collected photos from various winter exercises and drills and depicting small arms in the hands of Kazakh soldiers. The units in the photos represent various branches of this country’s military.
I hope you enjoyed this set of photos. Let us know in the comments section what interesting piece of gear have you noticed.
Guarding the Malikah: LWRC UWIC Carbines of the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment
The reigning King (currently King Salman) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, otherwise known as the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques”( خادم الحرمين الشريفين) and his enormous family has numerous lawyers of protection surrounding him due to the numerous threats upon the absolute monarch. One of these layers is known as the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment (لحرس الملكي السعودي). This unit has been profiled numerous times on social media, both in the observance of their protection duties, but also simply as casual encounters with members posting photos of themselves and their mates that eventually end up on Instagram and other social media sites. The guards are unique and identifiable in that their uniforms are black with bright green berets. However, they have been seen wearing the desert digital trousers that the Saudi Royal Army uses as well.
An interesting facet of this group is that it has been seen armed with LWRC UICW (Ultra-Compact Individual Weapon) carbines chambered in 6.8x43mm Remington Special Purpose Cartridge (SPC). The LWRC UICW is distinctly recognizable due to the shortened buffer tube and almost mini-SOPMOD stock. It also has an 8.5-inch barrel, making it very handy for close protection work, and moving in and out of vehicles.
A unique point about the Saudi LWRC UICWs is that they all have the unit’s crest etched in white on the right side of the lower receiver, on the magazine well. Apart from that identifier, these carbines are outfitted with EoTech XPS2 holographic sights, Magpul pistol grips and see through 30 round magazines, Picatinny rail covers, BUIS sights, a folding vertical foregrip, and what appears to be a Vicker’s Tactical (or at least an imitation of one) two-point sling mounted on QD release points. All of the carbines have a select-fire capability. The overwhelming majority are in a black finish with matching furniture, but we do have one example so far of a green stock, with a matching green sling.
We also have this graphic that was created for the carbine as a promotional piece. Notice on the right side of the magazine well how the crest is completely blurred from view. It would appear to be that this crest was actually the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment but blurred for publication.
Very similar to the case of this one as well-
These carbines were a part of a contract with Saudi Arabia, through the U.S. State Department beginning in Feburary 2012 and ending the next year, worth $109 Million. From a statement from the LWRC Facebook page–
In Feb of 2012 LWRCI signed a $109 million dollar 18 month contract with the Government of Saudi Arabia, sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Congress. This is the largest direct commercial to foreign government sale of firearms in the history of the ATF Exports Branch. $109 million dollars of foreign money coming into Maryland to a company that is five years old. In these economic times, this is a story that the Department of Business and Economic Development can be very proud of. New jobs; developing a workforce; and stimulating the economy.
Specifications from Defense Review-
Caliber: 6.8mm SPC
Barrel Length: 8.5″
Weight (unloaded): 6.25lbs (8.5″ barrel)
Length (overall): 24-27.25″ (8.5″ barrel)
Rate of Fire: Semi Auto or Select Fire 700 rpm (+/- 100rpm)
Rifling: 1/10″ RH
Stock/Pistol Grip: LWRCI/Magpul MOE
Sights: LWRCI Folding BUIS Front and Rear
Magazine: Magpul 30 rd. P-Mag
Muzzle Device: LWRCI flash hider 5/8×28 TPI
Colors Available: Black”
This is a Saudi social media channel on Youtube that shows extensive footage of the Royal Guard Regiment during various training demonstrations.
The Magpul 6.8x43mm SPC magazines that are used with the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment were actually developed in close coordination with LWRC. They are readily identifiable by the bright red follower and internal baseplate. You can still purchase them in the United States for $26.97 on Cheaper Than Dirt. From the website-
Magpul PMAG magazines are designed for the LWRC 6.8 pattern AR lower receivers. These magazines were built specifically as a result of a partnership with LWRC and Magpul industries. These magazines feature the new constant curve geometric body, anti-tilt follower and other minor improvements. The polymer magazine reduce overall magazine weight by half without sacrificing durability. Magpul 6.8 magazines are a must have if you own a compatible LWRC rifle chambered in 6.8 SPC.
Did Jordanian SF Purchase SIG MCXs? Or Just King Abdullah II?
A recent video has been published by Jordanian media services showing head of state King Abdullah II in his element, conducting a training operation consisting of a dismounted sweep and clear of an enemy-held town. The King himself is a large fan of his countries Joint Special Operations Command (العمليات الخاصة المشتركة الاردنية). Between 1994 and 1999 he took command of the special operations forces, restructuring them into what they are today before taking the throne of his country in 1999, in addition to establishing KASOTC, one of the premier special forces specific training sites in the MENA region.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rExw-0ptWU&feature=youtu.be
This video shows his Highness armed with what appears to be a 12-inch barrel configuration of the Sig Sauer MCX carbine, most likely in 5.56x45mm NATO, with an Elbit Systems optical sight mounted. The remainder of his SF squad appears to have standard issue M4A1s and not MCXs as evidenced by the handguards and fixed triangular front sight posts. From the RT Arabic post-
A video released by the Jordanian Royal Court showed Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who was playing with Jordanian soldiers in a military exercise with live ammunition that appeared to be an operation against terrorists. King Abdullah appeared in full military uniform with a machine gun that appeared to be M16, in a real atmosphere of war, which received tens of thousands of views, banners and posts within an hour of publication.
أظهر فيديو نشره الديوان الملكي الأردني، العاهل الأردني الملك عبدالله الثاني وهو يشارك إلى جانب جنود أردنيين في مناورة عسكرية بالذخيرة الحية بدت أنها عملية ضد إرهابيين.
وظهر فيه الملك عبدالله بكامل عدته العسكرية مع رشاش بدا أنه M16 ، في أجواء حرب حقيقية، حظي بعشرات آلاف المشاهدات واللايكات والمشاركات خلال ساعة من نشره.
This photograph shows one of the members of the SF team with a standard issue M4A1.
The entire production appears to have been a propaganda stunt to raise support for the Kingdom by portraying the King in a positive light. Similar to earlier stunts where the King was pictured flying bombers into Syria when a Jordanian pilot was burned alive by the so-called Islamic State. The MCX rifle, however, is most likely not a part of the propaganda because the overwhelming majority of viewers watching the video clip probably will have no clue what the Sig MCX even is. The carbine could be a personal purchase or favorite of the King’s, or it could be something more serious, such as one of several T&E rifles ordered by Jordan, or even the results of a legitimate order. If we want to stretch it, there could also be a possibility that the MCXs could be in .300 BLK as well.
As per Wikipedia, the King actually has an interesting military career, even serving in the British Army-
He began his military career at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1980, while he was a training officer in the Jordanian Armed Forces.[8] After Sandhurst, Abdullah was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Army[4] and served a year in Britain and West Germany as a troop commander in the 13th/18th Royal Hussars.[6]Abdullah was admitted to Pembroke College in 1982, where he completed a one-year special-studies course in Middle Eastern affairs.[4] He joined the Royal Jordanian Army on his return home, serving as first lieutenant and then as platoon commander and assistant commander of a company in the 40th Armored Brigade.[4] Abdullah took a free-fall parachuting course in Jordan,[9] and in 1985 he took the Armored Officer’s Advanced Course at Fort Knox.[4] He became commander of a tank company in the 91st Armored Brigade, with the rank of captain.[4]Abdullah also served with the Royal Jordanian Air Force‘s anti-tank helicopter wing, where he was trained to fly Cobra attack helicopters.[9]The prince then attended the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in 1987, undertaking advanced study and research in international affairs.[4] He returned home to serve as assistant commander of the 17th Royal Tank Battalion in 1989, later being promoted to major.[4]Abdullah attended a staff course at the British Staff College in 1990,[9] and served the following year in the Office of the Inspector General of the Jordanian Armed Forces as the Armored Corps representative.[9] He commanded a battalion in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in 1992 and was promoted to colonel the following year, commanding the 40th Brigade.[4]In 1994 Abdullah assumed command of Jordan’s Special Forces and other elite units as brigadier general, restructuring them into the Joint Special Operations Command two years later.[9] He became a major general, attended a course in defense resources management at the American Naval Postgraduate School[9] and commanded an elite special-forces manhunt in the pursuit of outlaws in 1998.[10] The operation reportedly ended successfully, with his name chanted on the streets of Amman.[10]
FP’s Take on Malhama Tactical
Malhama Tactical has been covered through numerous defense and small arms websites recently but this is the first time the print magazine Foreign Policy has ran an article on its unique guns for hire status. The group is led by an Uzbek fighter, who appears to have had some previous military training at an enlisted level.
From FP-
The group’s leader is a 24-year-old from Uzbekistan who goes by the name Abu Rofiq (an Arabic pseudonym that means father of Rofiq). Little is known about him other than that he cycles through personal social media accounts rapidly, using fake names and false information to throw off surveillance efforts. In virtually every video and photo posted online, he wears a scarf or balaclava to cover his face from the nose down, leaving visible only his narrow dark eyes and long, somewhat tangled, pitch-black hair. He speaks fluent Russian, but with a slight Uzbek accent.
Since launching in May 2016, Malhama has grown to do brisk business in Syria, having been contracted to fight, and provide training and other battlefield consulting, alongside groups like the al Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly known as the Nusra Front) and the Turkistan Islamic Party, a Uighur extremist group from China’s restive Xinjiang province. And despite recent rebel setbacks in Syria, including the loss of Aleppo, demand for Malhama Tactical’s services in the country is as strong as ever, Abu Rofiq told Foreign Policy in an interview conducted over the messaging app Telegram.
But he is also beginning to think about expanding elsewhere. His group is willing to take work, Abu Rofiq says, wherever Sunni Muslims are oppressed. He cites China and Myanmar as places that would benefit from jihad. He also suggests that Malhama Tactical might go back to its roots, returning to fight in the North Caucasus against the Russian government.
The group’s videos do show a certain degree of tactical proficiency, but lack the finesse that comes with being an NCO, such as this video covering casualty aid under fire. The casualty is assessed and treated, but there is very little respect to security being provided.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OxLah2rgMM