by Thomas Sarsfield
The Free Syrian Army affiliate "Mountain Hawks Brigade" has released footage of combat operations around and within the embattled city of Aleppo. In three videos published on Youtube, the brigade's fighters are shown employing heavy weaponry to dislodge Islamic State fighters and conduct anti-air operations.
The Free Syrian Army affiliate "Mountain Hawks Brigade" has released footage of combat operations around and within the embattled city of Aleppo. In three videos published on Youtube, the brigade's fighters are shown employing heavy weaponry to dislodge Islamic State fighters and conduct anti-air operations.
In this image, a fighter prepares to load an M69A 82mm Yugoslavian mortar during combat operations against the Islamic State near a village north of Aleppo. Soviet-era munitions are frequently used by all sides in the conflict.
Fighters operate a heavy machine gun to fire on a twin engine fighter aircraft in Aleppo. A number of jets have been shot down by anti-aircraft weapons throughout the war. Jaish al-Nasr said it downed a Syrian warplane with anti-aircraft guns in March, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights disputed this claim and reported the aircraft was destroyed with heat-seeking missiles.
A fighter fires another heavy machine gun on top of a technical to engage an ISIS position outside of Aleppo.
The Mountain Hawks Brigade, which some believe is backed by the CIA, has previously used TOW missiles in attacks on armored and soft targets. In recent months, the Free Syrian Army was highlighted by media outlets after the Mountain Hawks Brigade and other units began fighting the Pentagon-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.
The Mountain Hawks Brigade, which some believe is backed by the CIA, has previously used TOW missiles in attacks on armored and soft targets. In recent months, the Free Syrian Army was highlighted by media outlets after the Mountain Hawks Brigade and other units began fighting the Pentagon-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.