The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has uncovered several weapons caches during recent search operations in the newly-liberated areas in al-Quneitra and Damascus, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on February 1.
The weapons caches contained at least one Chinese-made HJ-8 Red Arrow anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), two US-made anti-personnel obstacle breaching systems (APOBS), several rounds of the Yugoslav-made M79 Osa anti-tank weapon, mortar cannons, heavy machine guns, dozens of rocket-propelled grenades and load of ammunition of different calibers.
HJ-8 on the left and APOBS on the right, Click to see full-size image
HJ-8 ATGMs were supplied to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in 2013 by the U.S. and its allies, mainly Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The American intelligence hoped that this advanced weapon will pave the way for Syrian opposition forces. However, its effect was minimum in must battles.
Most of the HJ-8 ATGMs ended up in the hands of ISIS, which used them almost extensively during the battles against the SAA in eastern Homs and western Deir Ezzor. Local observers believe that the terrorist group simply bought the missiles from US-backed groups in southern Syria.
