Earlier this week I wrote about the appearance of a sixth cluster submunition in the conflict, the PTAB 2.5KO, and it now appears this has been joined by a new cluster submunition, pictured below (thanks to ali othman)
These photographs were reportedly taken in Harbnafeh, Hama, and show AO-2.5RT cluster submunitions, with very clear markings, showing they were manufactured in 1983. These types of cluster submunitions can be both dropped inside RBK series cluster bombs, as with the PTAB 2.5m or AO-1Sch types, or inside a KMGU/KMGU-2 container, like the recently spotted PTAB 2.5KO bomblets.
Over the past year an increasing variety of cluster munitions have gradually been deployed by the Syrian military, with the first individual appearance of cluster munitions recorded by Syrian activists in July 2012 being followed by a massive escalation in the use of the cluster munitions in October 2012. The following post details the cluster munitions recorded by activists so far in the conflict.
AO-1Sch
The above video shows the first recording of cluster submunitions in the Syrian conflict, designated AO-1Sch. The video was filmed on July 10th 2012, and until October 2012 it was one of two examples of cluster bomb use in Syria.
Originating in the former-Soviet Union, AO stands for “Aviatsionnaya oskolochnaya”, or "Aircraft fragmentation". These are anti-personnel munitions, dropped in RBK-250/RBK-250-275 cluster bombs from aircraft, with each cluster bomb carrying 150 AO-1Sch bomblets. The majority of these cluster submunitions that have been recorded in Syria were manufactured in the 70s and early 80s, with a few recent examples showing manufacturing dates of the late 80s. Large numbers of unexploded submunitions have been recorded, possibly because of their age and the degradation of the mercury based detonator.
After their first isolated recorded appearance in July 2012 they reappeared in October 2012 when large numbers of videos started appearing online from across Syria showing unexploded cluster submunitions. These videos appeared shortly after a major highway was closed by fighting in Idlib, and it's possible the escalation to the use of cluster bombs was a response to that.
PTAB-2.5m
Much like the AO-1Sch, this is another Soviet-era munition dropped in groups of 30 inside a RBK-250/RBK-250/275 cluster bomb. These larger submunitions are designed primarily as anti-vehicle weapons.
The above video shows their first appearance in Abu Kamal, on the Syrian side of the Syria/Iraq border in August 2012, and it is a good example of the handling of unexploded cluster submunitions that has been seen repeatedly in the conflict. The problem with unexploded ordnance (UXO) is there's no way to know if they are safe to handle, and could detonate at any time.
As with the AO-1Sch submunitions this isolated incident of their use was followed by their use across Syria from October 2012 onwards. Along with the AO-1Sch submunitions they are the most commonly recorded type of explosive submunition used in the conflict, with hundreds of videos of their use posted online.
ZAB 2.5
In November 2012 a new type of cluster submunition appeared in the conflict, the ZAB 2.5 incendiary submunition. A Soviet submunition dropped from RBK-250/RBK-250-275 cluster bombs, this submunition is designed to destroy hangers, warehouses, and other large military structures.
These submunitions have frequently been described as "white phosphorous", when they are actually thermite based weapons, which is extremely difficult to extinguish. Three types of ZAB 2.5 submunitions are used in each cluster bomb, with two types containing a bursting charge that cause the bomblet to explode some time after ignition, discouraging attempts to extinguish it, and spreading the burning thermite over a wider area.
After AO-1Sch and PTAB-2.5m submunitions the ZAB 2.5 is the 3rd most commonly recorded submunition in the conflict.
Sakr
In December 2012 activists began posting videos of 122mm rockets, launched from BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers. This particular type was the Egyptian Sakr 18/Sakr 36 cluster munition rocket, each carrying 72 or 98 submunitions respectively.
In the above video you see both the rocket, and the submunitions, which have a distinct white ribbon attached. When the rocket breaks open and releases the submunitions these ribbons cause the submunitions to start spinning, stabilising their descent. As this is happening the ribbon pulls out an arming pin, but in some instances this doesn't happen, so they landed unarmed. What can happen then is someone can come along, see the ribbon, and pull at it, arming the submunition, and causing it to instantly explode, killing anyone nearby.
While they continue to be used in the conflict they have not been recorded on as wide a basis as the AO-1Sch, PTAB-2.5m, and ZAB 2.5 submunitions.
ShOAB-0.5
A rarer type of submunition appearing in March 2013 was the ShOAB-0.5, another Soviet-era submunition, this time dropped from the larger RBK series bomb, the RBK-500. A copy of the American BLU-26, hundreds of these are carried in the RBK-500 cluster bomb, with each submunition carrying hundreds of metal ball-bearing, creating a devastating anti-personnel weapon. So far only a handful of videos showing these submunitions have been posted online.
PTAB-2.5KO
This 6th type of submunition was only recorded once in May 2013, and has a slightly different delivery method from other air-dropped cluster submunitions. The submunitions are carried in containers, and then released in batches, allowing them to be dropped in long lines, ideal for attacking convoys. So far no other videos of these submunitions have been posted online.
AO-2.5RT
The latest submunition only appeared in June 2013 in Harbnafeh, Hama. These types of cluster submunitions can be both dropped inside RBK series cluster bombs, as with the PTAB 2.5m or AO-1Sch types, or inside a KMGU/KMGU-2 container, like the PTAB 2.5KO bomblets. So far there's only one example of these cluster submunitions recorded in the conflict.
Since the conflict in Syria began five different cluster munitions have been recorded, 4 of which are dropped in RBK series canisters, and one delivered by a 122mm Sakr rocket. The following video posted a couple of days ago shows the sixth type of cluster munition being used in the conflict
We can see the submunition clearly here
This is a PTAB 2.5KO cluster bomblet, a clearer example of which can be see here
Unlike the cluster bomblets we've seen before the PTAB 2.5KO bomblets dispersed using KMGU/KMGU-2 containers mounted on the wings of jets, including jets in service with the Syrian Air Force. The bomblets are loaded into BFK blocks (seen here), which are loaded inside the KMGU/KMGU-2 containers, and are released in sequence at different selectable rates of fire.
The bomblets in the video appear to have been manufactured in 1983, according to the markings on the bomblet, and would be of Soviet origin. Why these bomblets are being used at this point of the conflict is unclear, but this is now the sixth type used, and the 3rd delivery method used in the conflict so far.
As I've frequently said in the past it's generally a very bad idea to pick up UXO (unexploded ordnance) unless you are trained to do so, but as anyone who follows Syria knows this is advice that's rarely followed. This following video shows a collection of UXO, some of which has been converted into IEDs (improved explosive devices)
Colonel Abu Hasan of Sawt Al-Haq Battalion, Jund Allah Brigade provides us with a guided tour of the items on show
First we have an OFAB 100-120, which Colonel Hasan incorrectly describes as "a vacuum bomb that can destroy an area of 500 meters". An OFAB 100-120 is a high explosive fragmentation bomb, and first appeared in Syria when jets first started bombing Aleppo in late July 2012.
Next what I believe is the front end of a parachute retarded bomb, which Colonel Hasan describes as a "guided rocket that is fired by a fighter plane".
Next we have a collection of unexploded PTAB 2.5m cluster bomb submunitions, correctly identified by Colonel Hasan.
Next Colonel Hasan shows us what he calls "katyusha rockets", which are in fact S-8KO rockets, normally launcher from aircraft. You can see the designation written on the rocket in the above picture.
From left to right we have the tail of a 122mm rocket, an artillery round, the tip of an artillery or tank round, and a mortar tail fin.
Here we have what Colonel Hasan correctly identifies as 122mm Sakr cluster rockets, with a box full of submunitions to the right. As he notes later in the video the colourful ribbons of the submunitions are very appealing to any child who might come across them. It's also interesting to note other versions of these submunitions that have been seen in Syria so far have come with white ribbons. The ribbons are attached to the arming pin, so pulling a ribbon can result in a live munition arming, and detonating.
Next we have some IEDs they've put together using UXO.
These cluster bomb submunitions have had an fuze added to them, turning them into pipebombs.
Here the OFAB 100-120 shown earlier has had it's fuze replaced with an electrical detonator, which allows them to set it off remotely.
These are 4 cluster bomb tails that have been filled with explosives and turned into IEDs.
Last month I wrote about a new type of cluster bomblet filmed in Syria, a Soviet ShOAB-0.5, and I suggested the likely delivery system was the RBK-500 series cluster bomb, a much larger cluster bomb than had been previously used in the conflict. This new video from Dar el-Kebir, Homs, seems to confirm that RBK-500 cluster bombs loaded with ShOAB-0.5 bomblets are now being used in the conflict
There's two sets of markings that provide additional information. Here's the manufacturing details, which tells us this was made in 1983
And next details of the container type, RBK-500, and bomblet type, ShOAB-0.5
So this is evidence of yet another escalation in the types of munitions used in the conflict, although considering how much evidence cluster bombs leave behind after their use it seems this particular type of cluster bomb has been used very rarely, especially when you consider there's now over 500 videos of cluster bomb use in Syria.
Back in November I wrote about unexploded cluster bomblets being repurposed as warheads for DIY rockets, and now we have this video showing bomblets being used as DIY mortar bombs
Although the video is quite dark we do get a good look at some of the DIY mortar bombs
Here we can clearly see that PTAB 2.5m cluster bomblets have been modified with new fuzes and new tail fins. This is the only example I've come across of this type of DIY mortar bomb, so it's unclear if this is just an experiment. It is of course extremely dangerous to handle unexploded cluster bomblets, and it seems these opposition members have managed to find a very risky source of new explosives.
The following video from Idlib was posted online today, and shows a new type of cluster bomblet not yet seen in the conflict
With the help of Peter Bouckaert and Mark Hiznay of Human Rights Watch we've been able to identify this as a ShOAB-0.5 bomblet (a copy of the US BLU-26 bomblet), used with a RBK-500 cluster bomb dispenser, much larger than the RBK-250 cluster bomb dispensers used so far in the conflict. The following images show a complete bomblet, and a diagram of the bomblet
Compare the text on the bomblet in the above image to that on the bomblet in the video, shown below, and the match becomes clear
This is the first clear evidence of the larger RBK-500 cluster bomb dispenser being used in Syria, but there has been some evidence that they may have been used earlier. This image was posted online at the start of February
This is a nose fairing for a number of bombs, including the ZAB-500 incendiary bomb and various types of RBK-500 cluster bomb dispenser. Although this video filmed in the same area and on the same date as the above photograph showing a damaged tail fin surrounded by burning bomblets pointed me in the direction of it being a RBK-500 ZAB incendiary cluster bomb I wasn't 100% certain of a match. While that question remains open the ShOAB-0.5 bomblet seems to strongly indicate RBK-500 series cluster bombs are now in use in Syria, demonstrating yet another escalation in the Syrian air war.
Over the past 6 months vast numbers of cluster bombs have been dropped by the Syrian Air Force across Syria, leaving a massive long term UXO hazard for the citizens of Syria whoever the victor in the conflict may be. This presents tremendous problems for civilians caught up in these attacks, and as this following video shows attempts to dispose of them leaves something to be desired
Enter Jabhat al-Nusra, who in a recent massive bombing campaign in Palmyra, 120km east of Homs used a variety of UXO in the construction of their bombs, including at least 30 unexploded PTAB 2.5m cluster bomblets, shown below
Jabhat al-Nusra claim in their statement to have used multiple vehicles loaded with around 3 tonnes of explosives each, much of which appears to be unexploded ordnance. This is not the first time they've done this, with a previous truck bomb using at least 2 unexploded FAB 500 M62 high explosive bombs, but this is the first time I'm aware of cluster bomblets being used as part of a VBIED.
As a slight aside, in this picture we see a bomb I've as yet been unable to identify
At the back of the picture appears to be a bomb I've recently come across in this video, but as yet I've been unable to identify it
This was filmed near Meng Air Base in the Aleppo region, a few hundred kilometers away from the Jabhat al-Nusra attack, so it's highly unlikely it's the same piece of UXO, so if anyone has a clue what this could be please let me know.
Warning and information posters in Arabic and English for the types of unexploded cluster bombs found in Syria can be found on the website of the RRMA (Responsible Researchers of Munitions and Arms) here.
Over the past month we've seen large numbers of cluster bombs being dropped by the Syrian Air Force across Syria, leaving unexploded bomblets across the country. These are extremely unsafe and leave a long term UXO threat that one group in Syria has taken a rather novel approach to removing. In this following video filmed in Hama from one of the groups that make up Al-Farouq Brigade we see something quite remarkable, cluster bomblets being repurposed as warheads for DIY rockets.
At the start of the video we see the bomblets being plucked from the ground, itself extremely dangerous, and the fuze being removed. We then see the rocket workshop with rows of these bomblets on the ground, all with the fuzes removed, and we're then shown a bomblet having it's tail fins removed, and replaced with a fitting that then allows it to be screwed into the rocket. A newly manufactured fuze is screwed into the bomlet/warhead, completing the rocket.
What this video shows isn't just simply the bomblets being used as warheads, but that there's an entire manufacturing process behind this, with new fuzes being made, the new fitting being designed and manufactured specifically for this task, and the rockets being designed around carrying the bomblets as a warhead. It really shows how sophisticated the manufacturing process for making these DIY weapons has become.
Five new videos today, the first from Rastan, Homs, showing children showing off the AO-1 Sch cluster bomblets to the camera
This video from East Bweyda, Homs, shows a cluster bomb canister and AO-1 Sch cluster bomblets that are held up to the camera, showing the factory marking 56 47 74, the third number being the year of manufacture. As with many of these bomblets they appears to have been manufactured in the 1970s and early 1980s
This video from Isqat, Idlib, shows a cluster bomb canister marked with RBK 250-275 and the bomblet type AO-1 Sch
Next we have two videos showing larger PTAB cluster bomblets, first from Hamouriyah, Damascus
And this video of a cluster bomb with PTAB bomblets from Al Bab, Aleppo, that appears to have crashed into a building without scattering the bomblets first
One other change in the air war I'd like to briefly highlight is the appearance of FABs. You may have read about OFAB high explosive fragmentation bombs on my blog, which are very similar, the main difference being the design of the shell, with the OFAB's shell causing greater fragmentation compared to the FAB. Here's a few examples spotted in recent weeks (thanks to Bjørn H Jespersen of the excellent .processing blog for help with this)
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