On December 3, 2024, the London-based Saudi weekly Al-Majalla published an article about the Shahin drones which the Syrian rebel Military Operations Command has used extensively in its anti-regime offensive, based on an "exclusive statement" by rebel commanders. According to the article, these drones have destroyed 14 positions around Aleppo, six IRGC military headquarters, as well as positions at the Regiment 46 site, west of Aleppo. They have also struck regime operations rooms at the frontlines, harming regime forces' morale. According to a rebel commander, the Shahin drones were produced and developed locally with no foreign assistance, with the expertise of former regime officers.
According to the commander, the Shahin Battalions use three types of drones. One is based on ineffective drones which the Russians and Iranians have used to target Syrian civilians, which have been upgraded by rebels, and some of which are launched by hand. The Shahin drones are equipped with propellers and cameras to ensure their accuracy, and can drop small explosives, such as hand grenades or RPG projectiles. The third type, recently developed, uses jet engines and is equipped with cameras. It is the most destructive and effective.
Commander Mahmoud Al-'Abdallah of the Military Operations Command told Al-Majalla that captured regime forces have said they are terrified and confused by the drones. A source close to the Al-Fath Al-Mubin operations room said that the Shahin Battalions is its only drone unit and was formed exclusively by Syrian operatives.
Al-Majalla noted that the Shahin drones have been known to reach a distance of 25 kilometers from their launch sites, as they targeted a meeting of regime and IRGC commanders in Masyaf, west of Hama, which was located about 20 km from the nearest rebel forward position. It noted that no rebel military source has divulged the number of drones the rebels possess.
Source: Majalla.com
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