Syrian/Iranian Drones Downed in Syria

Iranian drones operated by Assad Forces are frequently used in the skies over Idlib and consequently they are often shot down by opposition groups operating in the area.

The most popular drone used by Assad forces is the Iranian Ababil 3, used as a surveillance drone. Fighting in Idlib in recent weeks has caused 4 of these drones to be downed by MANPADS operated by both Syrian Rebel forces and Turkish forces operating inside Syria.

This video from March 5th shows a Syrian operated Iranian Ababil-3 drone being shot down by a MANPADS operated by Turkish backed forces in Darat Izza in Western Aleppo.

The remains of an Ababil-3 shot down in the Zawiyah mountains.

On March 2nd another Ababil-3 was shot down in the Zawiyah mountains.

Another Ababil-3 was also seen being loaded by opposition fighters into the back of a pickup truck after it was downed in Marat al Numan on January 24th

Photo uploaded by rebel forces on social media showing an Ababil-3 drone after being downed in Idlib

Another Ababil-3 was shot down on March 3rd near Nayrab. These drones are small and designed to be very cheap to build and operate so it’s likely these losses have already been replaced by Iran.

The increase in fighting in Idlib over last weeks has led to the need of more surveillance operations by both sides. Turkey has been using the Bayraktar TB2 and the Anka-S drones for both surveillance and airstrikes. Assad forces have been mainly using the Iranian Ababil-3 for its surveillance operations. Due to the increase in activity this also resulted in the increase of drones being shot down by both sides.