Evidence Of New, Larger Cluster Bombs Being Used In Syria

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.

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You can contact the author on Twitter @brown_moses or by email at brownmoses@gmail.com

The Weapons Of The Syrian Air Force - Updated

Over the past months we've seen an escalation in the air war in Syria, with helicopters being joined by L-39 and MiG jets, and an increasing variety of weapons being deployed by the Syrian Air Force.  By examining the various UXO (Unexploded ordnance) filmed by opposition activists in Syria we can see which weapons are being used by the Syrian Air Force, and get an idea of the quantities being used.

S-5 Rockets

One of the most widely used weapons by the Syrian Air Force is the S-5 rocket, used from the earliest days of the air war, and capable of being used by both helicopters and jets.  They also featured heavily in the Libyan Civil War, generally fired from rocket pods welded to the backs of pick up trucks.

They have a very distinctive long thin body, usually a light metallic colour, with black stabliser fins at the rear.  The actual explosive charge it only at the very end of the missile, the rest of the body being used to hold propellant.  As the above videos demonstrates large numbers of rockets have been used across Syria.

AT-2 Swatters

AT-2 Swatter/3M11 Fleyta anti-tank missile have made rare appearances, the above example being from December 2012, around the same time their was a significant rise in the use of armour by the Syrian opposition.  Unlike the other bombs and missiles on this page the AT-2 has an in-built guidance system, the remains of which can be seen in the above video.

OFABs

OFABs are Russian made general purpose bombs (classified as fragmentation/blast bombs in Russia) designed for attacking lightly armoured vehicles, non-fortified structures, and personnel in the field.  The first OFABs to be identified as UXO in Syria were the larger OFAB 250-270 bombs

In August, around the same time as L-39s started being used in Aleppo and elsewhere, we began to see evidence of OFAB 100-120 bombs

It's interesting to note that since L-39s were first spotted in Aleppo I've collected around 30 examples of unexploded or partly exploded OFAB 100-120 bombs, compared to a handful of all other bomb types in the same period.  This strongly suggests that OFAB 100-120 bombs are the bomb of choice for the Syrian Air Force, and were very likely introduced alongside the use of L-39 jets in Aleppo.

FABs

In October 2012 Russian FAB M62 high explosive bombs first made an appearance.  These are simply large high explosive bombs, and while they haven't been used as widely as OFAB bombs they are far larger and much more powerful.  Unexploded FAB bombs have been spotted making up part of a massive truck bomb used by Jabhat al-Nusra.

RBK Cluster Bombs

RBK 250/250-275 cluster bomb dispensers and their associated cluster bomblets first made their appearance in the conflict around July 10th 2012 in the Jabal Shehshebo region in the Hama, later confirmed by Human Rights Watch.  Evidence of only one cluster bomb was found at that time, carrying AO-1 SCH fragmentation bomblets, designed to attack lightly armoured targets and ground personnel.  Here activists took the incredible risk of lining them up for a Youtube video

Cluster bombs are rather unique as they will nearly always leave behind evidence of their use, namely the dispenser part of the bomb which opens up when deployed to scatter the bomblets, rather than exploding like a traditional bomb.  This means that each bomb dropped can be reasonably expected to leave behind a casing.

Until August 2012 there were no more videos of cluster bombs or bomblets until activists in Abu Kamal posted this video

Again, they take a huge risk moving these bomblets to make a Youtube video, and what they are showing here are PTAB 2.5m cluster bomblets, primarily used as anti-armour weapons, but equally deadly to anything else in the area.

There were virtually no other reports of cluster bomb use until around October 10th, when shortly after the opposition captured a major highway in the Idlib region there was a sudden and massive increase in reports of cluster bomb use across the entire country.  Later, in late November, we saw the first images of incendiary cluster bombs loaded with thermite based ZAB incendiary bomblets.  This escalation in the air war appeared to occur shortly after a series of military bases were captured in the Aleppo region.

ZAB-100-105s

Around the same time ZAB incendiary cluster bombs made their first appearance in the conflict we also saw the first use of ZAB-100-105 incendiary bombs, containing both a napalm style mixture and 9 thermite cartridges designed to scatter on impact.  More details of the contents of these bombs can be found here.

ODABs

ODABs are fuel-air bombs which create huge explosive fireballs that are capable of much more destruction against buildings than an OFAB bomb.  It's believed by some people these bombs were used in Azaz in an incident where it appears only two bombs flattened houses in "an area of approximately 70-by-70 meters – more than half a football field" killing over 40 civilians.  Judging by UXO evidence it appears these bombs have only been used since August 2012, and not in huge quantities. More examples can be found here.

BETABs

So far only a few examples of BETAB penetration bombs have been recorded since their first appearance in September 2012, specifically the BETAB-500M62 free-fall 500kg model.  Designed to penetrate and destroy reinforced structures it's unclear why one would be used in a village outside of Aleppo, as the above example was.  While these bombs are cleared for use on the various jets used by the Syrian Air Force it's unclear if they can be dropped by helicopters.  More examples can be found here.

ADIEDs

From August 2012 there were multiple reports of ADIEDs (Air Deployed Improvised Explosive Devices) dropped across Syria.  To begin with multiple examples of what appears to be DIY bombs, barrels filled with explosives and piece of shrapnel were reportedly dropped from helicopters in locations across Syria, followed by an increasing number of reports of "TNT barrel" being dropped.

What appears to have happened is activists have begun to use the term "barrel bomb" or "TNT barrel" to describe pretty much any cylinder shape bomb they see being dropped, something that's reflected in the increasing number of videos being uploaded to Youtube described as showing "barrel bombs" or "TNT barrels" that in fact clearly are OFABs or one of the other bombs shown above.

In late October 2012 videos were posted online that showed members of the Syrian air force dropping these devices from the back of a helicopter, seemingly confirming that these improvised devices were being used by the Syrian Air Force.  More examples of ADIEDs can be found here.

Naval Mines

In December 2012 we saw the first sighting of naval mines dropped from helicopters in two locations in Syria.  It's unclear how effective these have been as weapons, or whether this reflects supply issues for the Syrian Air Force. 

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You can contact the author on Twitter @brown_moses or by email at brownmoses@gmail.com

New Cluster Bomb Videos October 16th Plus Bonus FABs

[Videos for October 15th]

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

Thanks to @sherbalkis and @hlk01.

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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You can contact the author on Twitter @brown_moses or by email at brownmoses@gmail.com

New Cluster Bomb Videos October 15th

[Videos for October 13-14th]

Here's the latest videos of cluster bombs and bomblets from the last 24 hours in Syria, starting with two videos from Al-Bab, Aleppo, showing PTAB 2.5m bomblets, as well as the canister in the second video

This photograph was also taken in the same area [source]

This video from Urem al-Kubra, Aleppo shows a small group of AO1-Sch bomblets

In Mesraba, Damascus we have this pair of tail fins

And from Rankus, Damascus, we have this video showing multiple cluster bomb canisters and bomblets, as well as a gallery of photographs from the same area

In Talbiseh, Homs, we have this video showing a cluster bomb canister, and multiple bomblets

And in Dayr Ful, Homs, we have this video of a partial canister

From Duweir, Deir Ez Zor, a cluster bomb canister

And finally from Maarrat al-Numan, Idlib, this very interesting video that appears to show a cluster bomb that didn't deploy correctly and appears to have detonated with all the bomblets still inside, worth a look

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You can contact the author on Twitter @brown_moses or by email at brownmoses@gmail.com

New Cluster Bomb Videos October 13th - 14th

The following are videos of clusters bombs collected over the last two days.  Earlier videos can be found here and here.  I also recommend reading the Human Rights Watch report, Syria: New Evidence Military Dropped Cluster Bombs, which goes explores the issues surrounding the use of cluster bombs in more detail.

First of all two videos showing the the tail section of cluster bomb canisters in the Damascus suburb of Hamouriah, northeast of the city.  It's unclear if these are two separate incident, although looking at the surrounding area it is possible

This video from Al Zafaraneah, Rastan shows another tail section buried in the soil

These next 3 videos from Kafar Takharim, Idlib, appears to show the same cluster bomb canister, which helpfully has the model and what is contains stenciled on the side, confirming this is a RBK 250-275 with AO1-Sch bomblets

Finally here's two videos from locations in Idlib, the second from Isqat, yet again showing partly buried tail sections

[Videos from October 15th]

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You can contact the author on Twitter @brown_moses or by email at brownmoses@gmail.com

Cluster Bomb Usage Rises Significantly Across Syria

Over the last few days there's been a marked increase in the number of cluster bomb remains being filmed in Syria, and until today most were filmed around Maarrat al-Numan, along the main highway that connects central Syria (Hama, Homs, then Damascus and Daraa) to northern Syria (Idlib, Aleppo), which has recently come under opposition control.  The concentration of reports from that area suggested at first that the use of cluster bombs was related to attempts to regain an important supply route to Aleppo.  The following video shows four examples of cluster bombs used in the area, some of which were covered in my earlier post on the topic

However, in the last 24 hours multiple videos have been posted online showing cluster bomb remains in locations across Syria.  In all of the examples they appear to show RBK-250 cluster bombs with PTAB 2.5m bomblets with removed fuzes.  These first two videos show bomb casing and cluster bomblets in Tell Rifaat, north of Aleppo

From the coastal region of Latakkia we have this video that shows a complete casing along with a number of unexploded bomblets

To the east of Damascus we have this remarkable collection of casing and bomblets from 5 separate cluster bombs from Deir Al-Assafeer, East Ghouta

From nearby Jisreen, East Ghouta the tail end of a cluster bomb

This video from Sloomia, in the countryside south of Homs, shows a pretty much complete cluster bomb

These two videos from Armanaz in Idlib shows what I believe is the remains of one cluster bomb

I'm not 100% sure this final example is a cluster bomb, but I'm fairly certain it's not an OFAB, maybe a FAB, but this is from Ma'arr Shamshah, near Maarrat al-Numan 
Update - Having discussed this with Bjørn H Jespersen of the .processing blog it appears this video is likely to be a FAB

These videos were posted online in the last 24 hours, and demonstrates that cluster bombs now appear to be used across Syria.  In the last 4 days I've seen videos of between 17-20 separate cluster bombs, compared to 3 videos in the prior 18 months, clearly pointing to an escalation in their use.  It should be noted that unlike normal bombs cluster bombs generally always leave behind bomb casings, as they open up to scatter bomblets rather than exploding.

Cluster bomblets leave a deadly legacy for decades after conflicts have ended, as well as being extremely dangerous to handle, something that unfortunately is happening in a great number of these videos.  Earlier videos of cluster bombs dropped in Syria can be found here.

Thanks to @ArarMaher, @GuardianMario, @hlk01, @bigmo1965, and @JMiller_EA for help with this post.

More cluster bomb videos from October 13th - 14th can be found here.

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You can contact the author on Twitter @brown_moses or by email at brownmoses@gmail.com

Collected Evidence Of Cluster Bombs Used In Syria

On July 10th I identified the first recorded use of cluster bombs in Syria, but since then there's been no evidence of further cluster bomb use, bar unverified reports.  Now new videos have emerged that show a new kind of cluster bomblet and the bomb used to drop them from the town of Abu Kamal

This first video shows a dozen PTAB-2.5m cluster bomblets (identified from this document), which are held up and shown to the camera

These cluster bombs are deployed by a RBK-250 cluster bomb, which can hold 42 of the bomblets, and a video from the same area also shows what appears to be a casing for a one

Update August 29th Another video of what appears to be the same bomb has been posted

It should be noted that PTAB-2.5m cluster bomblets are commonly used as anti-tank bombs.  Bjørn H Jespersen pointed out a great example of those bomblets being loaded into a RBK 250 cluster bomb. 

This may not be the only example of a cluster bomb used recently, as this video also catches the remains of a bomb that looks like it could possibly be a larger RBK series cluster bomb

Update August 29th This video has been posted online that appears to show a child that has been given an unexploded cluster muntion from the above bomb so he can be filmed with it.  Needless to say this is incredibly dangerous and irresponsible

Update August 31st HamaEcho has spotted another video of an RBK-250 cluster bomb carrying PTAB-2.5m cluster bomblets (according to the writing on the casing) dropped in the Dier Ez Zor region

Update October 9th This video from Altmanah, Idlib shows a new example of a cluster bomb with AO-1 SCH bomblets, which were first seen in the original sighting of cluster bombs in Syria

Update October 9th I've now come across what appears to be the tail end of a cluster bomb in Taftanaz, Idlib

Thanks to Bjørn H Jespersen for highlighting the original channel this video was posted in which also had this additional video

This video from the same channel apparently shows the above cluster bomb being dropped

Update October 9th Here's a third new cluster bomb sighting from Rif Dimashq, Eastern Bouwayda. Damascus Suburb

Update October 11th It appears another cluster bomb tail has been spotted Ma'arrat al Nouman, Idlib (via @Guardian_Mario)

Update October 11th Another two videos showing a cluster bomb tail and bomblets have been posted from Talmenes, in Ma'arrat al-Numan, Idlib, and appears to be different from the one shown above

Update October 11th Another cluster bomb and bomblets in Idlib, this time in Al Tah, south of Ma'arrat al Nouman

Update October 11th Another from Al Tah, it should be said it's unclear if these bombs are the same, or different bombs

Further videos of cluster bombs used in Syria can be found in this post.

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You can contact the author on Twitter @brown_moses or by email at brownmoses@gmail.com