Anadolu footage shows Israel struck outdated weapons in Syria

By Yavuz Aydın, Ethem Emre Ozcan, and Omer Koparan

DAMASCUS/ANKARA (AA) - Exclusive footage obtained by Anadolu Agency reveals that Israeli warplanes targeted outdated military equipment at Damascus’ Mezzeh Military Airport on Sunday, directly contradicting statements made by Israeli officials.

The equipment shown in the footage includes Gazelle helicopters, Nord AS.12 anti-tank missiles mounted on helicopters, the BUK-M1 surface-to-air missile system, and the Pantsir S-1 air defense system. While Israeli officials claimed the strikes were aimed at advanced weaponry, the evidence suggests these items were part of Syria's obsolete inventory.

The video captured by Anadolu shows one of the air vehicles engulfed in flames at the site.

The Aerospatiale Gazelle is a lightweight, multi-purpose helicopter manufactured by the French company Aerospatiale, entering operational service in 1973.

Syria initially had a significant number of these helicopters, but many were destroyed during the prolonged conflict, leaving them with limited operational value in modern warfare.

The Gazelle is primarily used for reconnaissance, light transport, and limited combat roles.

It remains in the inventories of several countries, including France, Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, Qatar, Gabon, and Serbia. However, nations such as the UK and China have retired the Gazelle from active service.

Mounted on the helicopter in the footage is the Nord AS.12, an air-to-ground anti-tank guided missile.

The missile was developed by Nord Aviation between 1955 and 1957, with production ceasing in 1982.

Its limitations, such as being wire-guided and requiring manual targeting, alongside its outdated design, have rendered it largely obsolete and undesirable in modern combat scenarios.

The BUK-M1 surface-to-air missile system, a product of the Soviet era, was another piece of equipment struck in the attack.

This medium-range missile system, introduced in the 1980s, received upgrades following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, Syria’s stock is believed to consist of older, less effective models.

The Pantsir S-1 air defense system, although relatively newer compared to the other equipment, was also targeted.

This system, equipped with both missile and artillery capabilities, is used by various countries, including Syria.

Deployed since 2012, the Pantsir-S1 has been utilized in conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine War, the Libyan Civil War, and within Syria itself.

In addition to Syria, countries like Algeria, Iraq, Serbia, Ethiopia, and the UAE maintain the Pantsir-S1 in their military inventories.

Reports suggest that the version deployed by Syria has limited effectiveness against modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).