(Zaman Al Wasl)- Gazelle helicopters were strongly present during Russian officers leading Assad forces offensive on Palmyra. The helicopters played a crucial role in destroying vehicles of ISIS and its forticiations and advance points by using missiles from hot type. The Gazelle helicopter carries 4 of hot missiles on both sides. The range of the missile reaches 4 kilometers.
Also, Russian fire support helicopters of mi-24 were used in the offensive.
The offensive ended with recapture of Palmyra from ISIS following 10 months of regime withdrawal from the city which enabled ISIS to capture it in May 2015.
A dissident piolet considered regime using of Gazelle during the offensive to recapture Palmyra and withholding from using it during withdrawal is an another evidence that regime surrendered the city to ISIS.
Gazelle is known for its high capacity in maneuver and targeting armored vehicles and destroying them.
Gazelle appeared in a footage broadcasted by pro-regime media regarding Palmyra battles. Another footage of Gazelle in pro-regime media showed General Suhail al-Hasan getting off the first helicopter landing in Palmyra airport following regime recapture of the city.
The dissident general who refused to mention his name said the regime staged scene of ISIS capture of Palmyra was only to an act for the regime to be able to rob Palmyra of its ruins and accuse ISIS of doing it. In addition, the regime plays on the terror phobia in the international arena and to market itself as a fighter against terrorism in front of the International Community to mobilize international public opinion.
The dissident officer said, “Bashar al-Assad used md helicopters or Gazelle instead of mi25 and it is a copy of mi24 the Russian helicopter during ISIS offensive on al-Badiya area starting from before al-Sukhna area until Palmyra to al-Qaryatayn, Maheen, and Hawareen. It is noted that ISIS was visible to everyone in the desert and its envoys were walking hundreds of kilometers until reaching al-Sukhneh and then Palmyra which is 60 kilometers distance from it.”
It is well known the Syrian Badeya in which ISIS advanced is the best military area which Gazelle can operate. Gazelle can easily destroy armored vehicle in ambushes from long distance using missiles. Then why the regime did not used Gazelles during ISIS offensive in May last year? He added.
The regime’s neutralized Gazelles during military operations since regime first used air force because Gazelles ca not carry bombs or regime manufactured explosive barrels to shell Syrian cities, the pilot explained.
the helicopter which is called after the animal Ghazel for its graceful and easy movement.
The pilot added that it would have been more efficient militarily for the regime to disperse these helicopters on fronts in which it is more probable for factions to move via armored vehicles like what happened with ISIS in the desert especially in the existence of Iranian military experts during that period. We saw how al-Sukhneh and Palmyra easily fell into the hands of ISIS without any serious fighting operations along with a munition storage in Syria. Hence, we can conclude strategically and militarily the regime sold Palmyra to ISIS.
Two Squadroun of Gazelle helicopters are stationed in 86 brigade in Mazzah military airport. Each squadron include 15 helicopters and are the most prepared in Syrian helicopter force which the regime did not invest except for the “liberation” of Palmyra from ISIS, according to the officer.
(Writing by Iqab Malek; Translation by Rana Abdul)
Also, Russian fire support helicopters of mi-24 were used in the offensive.
The offensive ended with recapture of Palmyra from ISIS following 10 months of regime withdrawal from the city which enabled ISIS to capture it in May 2015.
A dissident piolet considered regime using of Gazelle during the offensive to recapture Palmyra and withholding from using it during withdrawal is an another evidence that regime surrendered the city to ISIS.
Gazelle is known for its high capacity in maneuver and targeting armored vehicles and destroying them.
Gazelle appeared in a footage broadcasted by pro-regime media regarding Palmyra battles. Another footage of Gazelle in pro-regime media showed General Suhail al-Hasan getting off the first helicopter landing in Palmyra airport following regime recapture of the city.
The dissident general who refused to mention his name said the regime staged scene of ISIS capture of Palmyra was only to an act for the regime to be able to rob Palmyra of its ruins and accuse ISIS of doing it. In addition, the regime plays on the terror phobia in the international arena and to market itself as a fighter against terrorism in front of the International Community to mobilize international public opinion.
The dissident officer said, “Bashar al-Assad used md helicopters or Gazelle instead of mi25 and it is a copy of mi24 the Russian helicopter during ISIS offensive on al-Badiya area starting from before al-Sukhna area until Palmyra to al-Qaryatayn, Maheen, and Hawareen. It is noted that ISIS was visible to everyone in the desert and its envoys were walking hundreds of kilometers until reaching al-Sukhneh and then Palmyra which is 60 kilometers distance from it.”
It is well known the Syrian Badeya in which ISIS advanced is the best military area which Gazelle can operate. Gazelle can easily destroy armored vehicle in ambushes from long distance using missiles. Then why the regime did not used Gazelles during ISIS offensive in May last year? He added.
The regime’s neutralized Gazelles during military operations since regime first used air force because Gazelles ca not carry bombs or regime manufactured explosive barrels to shell Syrian cities, the pilot explained.
the helicopter which is called after the animal Ghazel for its graceful and easy movement.
The pilot added that it would have been more efficient militarily for the regime to disperse these helicopters on fronts in which it is more probable for factions to move via armored vehicles like what happened with ISIS in the desert especially in the existence of Iranian military experts during that period. We saw how al-Sukhneh and Palmyra easily fell into the hands of ISIS without any serious fighting operations along with a munition storage in Syria. Hence, we can conclude strategically and militarily the regime sold Palmyra to ISIS.
Two Squadroun of Gazelle helicopters are stationed in 86 brigade in Mazzah military airport. Each squadron include 15 helicopters and are the most prepared in Syrian helicopter force which the regime did not invest except for the “liberation” of Palmyra from ISIS, according to the officer.
(Writing by Iqab Malek; Translation by Rana Abdul)
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