Live thread: Lots of videos and photos emerge purporting to show a major seizure of weaponry/ ammo by rebels at Mahin arms depot
Arabic speakers, if you're feeling generous, please provide translations or transcriptions of Tweets/ videos we've provided.
According to a Jabhat al Nusra release, the assault began on October 21st. The rebel assault was aimed towards the ammo depot at Mahin, مهين, in Homs. It early November it gained a lot of steam. On November 5th, we saw the first photos purporting to show a rebel victory, in at least a part of the arms depot, emerging. The rebel attack, according to the speaker, came from the southeast. On the same day, a government report indicated that the government troops were bearing down on the arms depot from the north. While the reports were not contradictory, we were hesitant to decisively say that the rebels were inside the arms depot due to the lack of primary evidence and the questions to its authenticity. However as the government had not mentioned that it held the arms depot in its report, nor shown images of the depot, we thought something was up. Our suspicions were further aroused when we saw videos, shot from Mahin, showing government air strikes on the hill on which the arms depot lies.
On early November 7th, videos began to be posted to YouTube depicting a major arms seizure by the rebels. These videos depict a major seizure of ammunition and weapons. This post links to these videos. The videos show at least a few hundred tons of captured ammunition. While rebels claim to have captured 6-40,000 tons, we have yet to see a capture of quite that size, but it is growing by the hour. Questions remain as to how the rebels will be able to move this supply from the base.
It is unclear which rebel groups are part of the seizure. This post points towards a preponderance of Islamist groups involved, while some of the videos uploaded depict FSA fighters.
CONFIRMED: There was a media blackout imposed on the rebel groups taking the base
Jabhat al Nusra statement - Can anyone translate?
Videos from November 7th
Orient news reports from inside the ammo depot with rebel fighters on their capture
Another news report on the base's capture
18 minute video showing fighting, captured ammunition and rebels inside ammo dumps barracks
3:05 - fighters showing off weapons captured
1:20 - fighters showing off the inside of another ammunition depot
3:57 - more video of fighting around base, NSFW
20:00 - NSFW & NSFL - fighting leading to the base
Photos from November 7th
Mobile anti-air purportedly captured in the ammo dump
More ammo crates with Jabhat seal over photo
Charles Lister - More weapons crates seized by #Syria rebels in #Mahin, #Homs.
UNVERIFIED: These 2 images are being presented as having been taken at Mahin
Huge pile of captured munitions - possibly rockets
Another photo of captured munitions
Photos from Jabhat al Nusra
Pro government reports from November 7th
Maps
Map that shows new section of the base
News Articles
Syria rebels said to have seized arms cache in Homs
Background
List of Rebel Groups Involved
The list of rebel groups was taken from this post, which also claimed: "The siege on the base continued for a number of days. On the 4th of November Jabhat al Nusra stormed the HQ and on the 5th they managed to storm inside completely liberating it."
Katiba al Khadraa
Ahrar al Sham
Jaish al Islam
Islamic State in Iraq and Shaam
Quwwaat al Maghaweer
Suqour al Fath
Ahl al Athar
Videos from November 5th-6th with paraphrased translations
Video showing rebels celebrating in front of two burnt buildings
Paraphrased Translation Courtesy of u/ReiEvaUnit00:*"The speaker of the first video is from the Maghawir Baba A'mru battalion which has just liberated some stations in Mahin and he praises the cooperation between them and other fighters and states their intention to advance to Homs." Speaker indicates attack was coming from the southeast
Paraphrased Translation Courtesy of u/ReiEvaUnit00: "in fact, it's from the reputable Arabic news channel Al-Mayadeen by report Tarek Ali. First, he narrates how the Syrian Army has to defend against advancements by rebels heading to two villages Mahin and Huwwarin both in the Homs governate. The Syrian Army is concentrating it's largest forces in preparation for the incoming attack. The interview is with an officer from the Syrian Army. He states how more forces are coming how they can hopefully surround incoming enemy. he later points out his anti-armor platoon in the second part of the interview. The Syrian Army is beginning to implement measures to maintain it's control over the village and the road from the Nahdayn mountains.
Note: The Muhdayn mountains and Huwwarin village lie on the road north of Mahin
Rebels capturing pro-government troops near Mahin
Activist Hadi Abdullah injured by war plane strike during battle.
Paraphrased Translation Courtesy of u/ReiEvaUnit00: "Okay, so this video is from Maghawir Baba A'mru Brigade and the name of the operation (or at least battle) appears to be "God's Gate Doesn't Close". The video title states that a fire started in a warehouse and that a tank was destroyed. Speaker in the video states "Mahin 11/1/13". call sign "Abu Ghazi" can be heard over the radio as well as a man telling others to look at what happened
Posted Nov 7, 2013, 4:10 PM UTC · edited