Since the outbreak of the war in Syria, especially in the 10 years from 2012 to the present, one of the most notable features of the war has been the use of various types of anti-tank missiles, mainly Russian-made anti-tank missiles, but also the BGM-71D/E Tao anti-tank missiles supplied by the United States and Saudi Arabia to various factions. Supplies and large seizures from various supporters led to a very widespread use of anti-tank missiles on both sides.
On the opposition side, one of the most famous anti-tank missile shooters was Suhail Muhammad Hamoud, nicknamed Abu Tao, who was known for his skills in using anti-tank missiles, and he had been trained in the use of anti-tank missiles before the war. Abu Tor is also known for his opposition to HTS and other militant groups in Syria, and he was even imprisoned by HTS in 2017. He fought almost always throughout the war and hit more than 130 targets using anti-tank missiles.
About a year ago, Abu Tor was interviewed by the media about the use, targeting, training and some aspects of the battlefield of anti-tank missiles, which are now summarized as follows:
Reporter: How did you get started? What training did you get in the government army before? Which camp did you join?
A: I am Suhair Mohammed Al-Hamud (Abu Tor), a warrant officer in the 46th Regiment of special forces in Aleppo. Before joining the 46th Regiment, I studied for a year at the Field Artillery School in Aleppo, where I trained with Russian-made anti-tank missiles, including The Malyutka (AT-3), Konkurs (AT-5), Kornet (AT-14 Short), Metis (AT-7), and Feget (AT-4).
Before defecting on March 27, 2012, I was a good shooter in the special forces. After defecting, I joined the Syrian Revolutionary Front of the FSA (Free Syrian Army), the largest faction in my region. At the beginning of the war, there were very few anti-tank missiles, so I fought as a regular soldier, and the first battle I participated in was the capture of the KhanTuman warehouse in the countryside south of Aleppo, where I was wounded for the first time.
After occupying the 46th Regiment garrison, I found in the armory the Malyutka anti-tank missile launcher that I had used, and during my service with the 46th Regiment, I fired 6 missiles of this type and all hit the target.
Reporter: What battles have you fought in?
A: Since I joined the FSA, I have fought in battles in Aleppo, Hama suburbs, Idlib, etc., fighting more than 9,000 hours.
Reporter: What anti-tank missiles have you used? What is the record?
A: I fired 8 rounds of Malyutka and hit 7 targets; 2 rounds of Konkurs, hit 2 targets; 2 rounds of Kornet, hit 2 targets, and 128 rounds of Tao, hit 122 targets. Five of these failures were due to missile failures: 2 were not launched, and 3 fell to the ground after flying 100 meters. Only 1 missile failed to hit the target, and the missile hit a wire during flight, causing the missile to fall out of control and fall to the ground.
Reporter: How well do these missiles work? Which model is your favorite?
A: All of these missiles are very effective, as you can see on video. I've destroyed 133 targets, and I wouldn't use it to hit infantry because anti-tank missiles don't produce a lot of fragments on the side of the shell. Therefore, I usually choose tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, or artillery. I like the most challenging Malyutka, which usually only hits 35% of the shots, while Konkurs, Kornet and Dow all have a 90% or more shooting rate, and the rest is the focus, calmness and bravery of the shooter.
Reporter: When choosing a goal, which goals do you usually choose to prioritize?
A: My focus is on targets that could affect my comrades, after destroying 2 MiG-23s at Aleppo airfield, I usually choose tanks as targets, and when you hit one tank, the other tank will fire indiscriminately and retreat, because he knows that the next target may be himself.
Reporter: Do you use the night vision system to shoot at night? Have you ever used a drone to find a target?
A: I used pottery at night, in the southern suburbs of Aleppo, against Iranian militias. As the difficulty of the night increases for both sides, with the focus and patience of the shooter, the shooting effect at night is better. I haven't used drones, I rely on direct observation on the battlefield.
Reporter: After launching a missile, how long do you stay in a location? Will you move quickly?
A: You have to change position right away, I was in the western suburbs of Aleppo again, I didn't change position after firing, and then a Russian helicopter gunship opened fire on me and I was injured in the leg, which is my seventh injury.
Reporter: What is your opinion on the impact of the widespread use of anti-tank missiles on the situation on the battlefield?
A: Anti-tank missiles play a vital role in all battles, and if there are anti-tank missiles, one position is enough to block the attack of the government forces, at least for a few days. But without anti-tank missiles, government tanks can drive in.
Q: What is the supply of anti-tank missiles in Idlib and Northern Aleppo? Are there many more? What are their usual sources?
A: The FSA and other factions are still able to get adequate supplies, and the front line has plenty of shooters and missiles.