This is a handbook for identifying the most common and significant weapons in Syria. Syria’s light infantry rebel force use the small arms and crew-served weapons, while the Assad regime uses the infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks shed light on the primary armored vehicles. Aircraft, artillery and air defense artillery highlight some additional capabilities the Assad regime has relied on in the conflict. Opposition media has a tendency to report all armored vehicles as “tanks.” Analysts examining videos the Syrian opposition has posted can use this guide to correctly identify the various armored vehicles used in the Assad regime’s operations. Similarly, many observers have been eager to understand the capabilities of the Syrian rebels, and this guide may offer a better appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of the armed opposition.

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2. 1400 16TH STREET NW STE 515, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 | 202-293-5550 | WWW.UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG

3. 1400 16TH STREET NW STE 515, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 | 202-293-5550 | WWW.UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG

4. 1400 16TH STREET NW STE 515, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 | 202-293-5550 | WWW.UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG

5. 1400 16TH STREET NW STE 515, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 | 202-293-5550 | WWW.UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG

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7. EQUIPMENT OF THE SYRIAN CONFLICT
Air Defense
SA-7 GRAIL MANPAD
The SA-7 is the one of the most common man-portable air
defense (MANPAD) rockets in the Syrian inventory. Others
include the SA-14 GREMLIN and SA-18 GROUSE. As of May
2012, there have been no verified instances of Syrian rebels
using MANPADs against regime aircraft. These weapons
represent a significant proliferation risk in Syria.
ZSU-23 23mm Towed ADA
The 23mm towed ZSU-23 air defense artillery piece is a
common dual barrel anti-aircraft gun that the Syrian regime
has also used against ground targets. ZSU-23s have been
used for base defense, and videos that surfaced in early 2012
showed shabiha paramilitaries using ZSU-23s mounted on
pickup trucks.
ZSU-23-4 Self-Propelled ADA
The self-propelled version of the ZSU-23 uses the same basic
round but has four barrels and is mounted on a tracked
vehicle, often with integrated radar, and designed for mobile
air defense. Syrians usually use the name “shilka” to describe
these vehicles, which have been frequently used against
ground targets throughout Syria.
1400 16TH STREET NW STE 515, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 | 202-293-5550 | WWW.UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG

8. 1400 16TH STREET NW STE 515, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 | 202-293-5550 | WWW.UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG