ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

On Sunday, Russian state VGTRK TV channel released a video that had somewhat lifted a veil of secrecy over Russian Ministry of Defense's Special Operation Forces (SOF) and their role in Syrian war. The reportage is focused on a commander of a SOF unit regularly operating in Syria, Colonel Vadim, whose first name might well be fictitious, while his last name is not disclosed at all. Speaking to a VGTRK correspondent, the commander reveals some details about SOF's mission in Syria. Based on his words, the primary objectives of the operations carried out by his unit in this Middle Eastern country can be summarized as follows: Providing the Russian Air Force with target designation which allows fighter jets and attack helicopters to carry out precise airstrikes on positions and movements of various jihadists groups; Carrying out special operations in the enemy's rear, that include intelligence data collection and liquidation of jihadist field commanders; Destroying fortified po

BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:05 A.M.) - The jihadist rebels of Fatah Halab and Jaysh Al-Fateh have had a rough 24 hours in the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo, thanks in large-part to the Syrian Arab Army's (SAA) relentless assault that has netted large gains around the provincial capital. Led by the Tiger Forces and Republican Guard , the Syrian Arab Army began the day by seizing the Al-Asilah Neighborhood near the Aleppo Citadel, killing over 15 enemy combatants before advancing to the Al-Jalloum District. Minutes after entering Al-Jalloum, the Syrian Armed Forces managed to seize more than half of this district after launching another powerful attack on Fatah Halab's defenses. While the Syrian Arab Army was advancing in the Old Aleppo District, the Desert Hawks Brigade launched a new assault on the key Sheikh Sa'eed District, striking the enemy defenses from the western and southern flanks. According to a military source in Aleppo, the Desert Hawks Brigade seized the entire She

BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:30 P.M.) - The Turkish Army suffered heavy losses on Saturday afternoon, following a suicide bombing by the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham" near the key town of Al-Bab in eastern Aleppo. According to the Islamic State's official media wing, one of their suicide bombers killed more than 20 Turkish soldiers and destroyed over 10 armored vehicles near Al-Bab today. Using a VBIED (vehicle borne improvised explosive device), the Islamic State suicide bomber reportedly scored a direct hit against the stationary Turkish Armed Forces inside the village of Baratah, which is located west of Al-Bab. Intense clashes broke-out after the Islamic State suicide bombing near Al-Bab, as the Turkish Army attempts to avenge their losses to the aforementioned terrorist group.

Israeli military has admitted that a map, which was posted on its Twitter account and allegedly showed military positions of the Hezbollah resistance movement, is fake. A fake map of Lebanon, allegedly, showing military positions of Hezbollah, which was tweeted by Israeli military earlier. The Israeli Army has admitted that a map, titled “Declassified map of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in Lebanon,” which was posted on its Twitter account on December 6, is fake. The map, accompanied by the text “This is a war crime,” allegedly shows positions of antiaircraft systems, rocket launchers, infantry, and tunnels of the Hezbollah resistance movement in 85 villages in south Lebanon. However, online users noted that the map was fabricated, as it was clear that its history was created by using Google Maps. Commentators also pointed out that the dots, marked on the map, represent a repetitive pattern. On Thursday, the fact that the map, which, according to Israeli media, has been circ

Click to see the full-size image Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern presented the AK-15 assault rifle at the Army 2016 defence exhibition held outside Moscow in September. It has a rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute, which is 50 rounds faster than that of the AK-74M. The AK15 brandishes a Picatinny rail for various devices, a telescopic-type buttstock, and a pistol-type grip. The magazine-opening cover, foregrip, and gas tube are modified to ratch up the rifle’s grouping of shots and ergonomics. The AK-15 was developed under the Ratnik program with aim to replace the AK-103. AK-15 (left) and AK-12. Source:Vasily Raksha AK-15 (left) and AK-12. Photo: Nikolai Novichkov AK-15. Photo: Nikolai Novichkov More about the Army 2016: Army 2016  

The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group launched another big offensive near eastern gates of Palmyra. Earlier this week, a massive offensive was launched by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in the Palmyra countryside, the Al-Masdar news portal reported. Terrorists targeted several sites, located around the city, trying to return the territories, which they lost earlier. On Saturday, another big offensive was launched by the terrorist group near eastern gates of Palmyra. IS terrorists committed a successful suicide attack on Syrian troops and captured the strategic Grain Silos. After that, terrorists launched an assault on Jabal Tar. It was the first time in the last several months, when the IS has had a presence in this mountain chain. As a result of these actions, the terrorist group is quickly approaching to Palmyra, as its members surround the city from all defensive flanks. According to a military source in Tartous, the High Command of the Syrian Army is currently considering

Dutch police has arrested a man, suspected of planning a terrorist attack, in Rotterdam. The Dutch Special Forces (Photo: AFP 2016 / NP Marcel Antonisse) A man, suspected of planning a terrorist attack, was arrested by police in Rotterdam, Netherlands , local media reported. Reportedly, a flag of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group and a Kalashnikov assault rifle were also found in the man’s house during a raid of the law enforcement. According to reports of Dutch media, the police arrested the 30-year-old suspect on Wednesday, during the raid of an anti-terrorist unit on his apartment, where a Kalashnikov assault rifle with two full magazines and an IS flag were also founded. “He is suspected of preparing a terrorist crime,” the Reuters news agency quoted the words of a prosecutor, who also added that the man was “enough” dangerous to be arrested by the authorities.  Follow Geert Wilders   ✔ @geertwilderspvv Rotterdam: "In zijn woning had hij een kalasjnikov

The Kalashnikov AK-12 is one of the newest derivative of the Soviet/Russian AK-series of assault rifles. In 2014, the AK-12 entered in service with the Russian Armed Forces. The main reason behind the AK-12’s development was that the Russian army has huge stocks of Soviet AK-74 assault rifles, and some Russian army officials announced that the army was not going to to buy any more newly produced AK-74M rifles in the foreseeable future. This pushed the Concern Kalashnikov to develop a new rifle that would interest the Russian military. The AK-12 retains traditional Kalashnikov-type gas operated action with rotary bolt locking, and use magazines compatible with previous generations of 5.45mm AK-74 – 7.62mm AKM rifles. The gas block, gas tube, receiver and barrel is redesigned for better accuracy under all conditions. Trigger and safety / fire selector unit has three modes of fire, including single shots, 2-round bursts and full automatic fire. Click to see the full-size image