Syrian Rebels Seize Russian Pantsir-S1 System as Assad Forces Flee Aleppo

Dec 1, 2024, 08:07 AM

Syrian rebel forces, including the Free Syrian Army and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have captured significant military assets from government troops in Aleppo, including a Russian-made Pantsir-S1 air defense system. The rebels seized a massive depot of Russian weapons, ammunition, and military equipment at the Kuweires Air Base as government forces and officials loyal to President Bashar al-Assad fled the area. Other captured assets reportedly include a ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The rapid advance of rebel forces has led to substantial territorial gains in the region, with the opposition showcasing the captured equipment abandoned by regime forces. The capture of the Pantsir-S1 system raises the possibility of it being used against Russian aircraft operating in Syrian airspace.