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WEAPON SEIZURES IN BAHRAIN
This report examines common features of seizures of conventional weapons and ammunition carried out in Bahrain between 2013 and 2018 — a time of heightened tensions in the country, and in the wider region. It identifies three main commonalities: links with items recovered in maritime seizures in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden; the co-location of weapons with components and chemical precursors used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and a pattern of obliterations of unique identifying markings.
This report draws on CAR’s wider investigations in the region to assess linkages between the weapons seized in Bahrain at this time, and illicit supplies across the Gulf, which have continued into 2024.
ISLAMIC STATE WEAPONS IN HIGH-PROFILE OPERATIONS IN NORTH-EAST SYRIA
On three occasions in 2021 and 2022, Islamic State (IS) cells in north-east Syria attempted to carry out major, complex attacks on detention centers housing IS prisoners and suspected affiliates. In this report, CAR investigates the weapons used in the attacks, showing how common links between the materiel used by the different cells shows that they were closely linked and supported by a centralised distribution network that equips top-tier members for specific, high-profile, operations.
مكونات الصواريخ المستخدمة في هجمات الطائرات بدون طيار في شمال و شرق سوريا
بين أيلول 2021 وحزيران 2022، وثّق المحققون الميدانيون لمركز أبحاث التسليح أثناء الصراعات بقايا قطع صواريخ من 17 هجوم بصواريخ جو-أرض بالتعاون مع قوات الأمن المحلية. هذه أنظمة صواريخ تم تصنيعها في تركيا ومن المحتمل أنها أطلقت من الطائرات بدون طيار (انظر قسم “توثيق الضربات الصاروخية في سوريا”) وأظهرت تحقيقات مركز أبحاث التسليح أثناء الصراعات أن بعض مكونات الصواريخ تم تصنيعها في الخارج واستيرادها للاستخدام في صناعات الدفاع التركية وتشمل هذه مكونات مهمة متاحة تجارياً والتي لا يبدو أنها مشمولة بضوابط التصدير الحالية.
MISSILE COMPONENTS USED IN DRONE ATTACKS IN NORTHEAST SYRIA
Between September 2021 and June 2022, CAR investigations have documented the physical remnants of 17 air-to-surface missile attacks in north-east Syria. The missile systems were manufactured in Türkiye and likely fired from uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). This Frontline Perspective provides a technical overview of the missiles themselves, including CAR’s identification process and the internal components identified within the system. It then focuses on how electromagnetic brakes, which are used in accurate steering in missile technology, were manufactured by a company based in the European Union (EU) and were subsequently diverted from their stated end use in medical vehicles.
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PROCUREMENT NETWORKS BEHIND ISLAMIC STATE IMPROVISED WEAPON PROGRAMMES
The findings of an 18-month investigation mapping the human and financial networks behind the global procurement of goods and technologies for Islamic State weapons production. Shows how Islamic State procurers concealed their efforts behind front companies, pseudonymous communications and proxy purchasers.
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الشبكات التي تقف وراء برامج الأسلحة المرتجلة الخاصة بتنظيم داعش
نتائج تحقيق استمر 18 شهراً يحدد الشبكات البشرية والمالية وراء الشراء العالمي للسلع والتقنيات المستخدمة في إنتاج أسلحة تنظيم داعش. يُظهر هذا التحقيق كيف أخفى سماسرة التنظيم جهودهم وراء الشركات الوهمية والأسماء المستعارة والوكلاء لإتمام عمليات الشراء.
IŞİD’İN DOĞAÇLAMA SİLAH PROGRAMLARININ ARDINDA YATAN TEDARİK AĞLARI
Bu rapor, IŞİD’in silah üretimi için kullandığı küresel mal ve teknoloji tedarik zincirlerinin ardında yatan insan şebekeleri ve finansal ağların haritalanması için 18 ay süren bir araştırmanın bulgularını içerir ve IŞİD tedarikçilerinin çalışmalarını nasıl paravan şirketler, sahte iletişimler ve vekil alıcılar kullanarak sakladığını gösterir.
EVOLUTION OF UAVs EMPLOYED BY HOUTHI FORCES IN YEMEN
This dispatch tracks the evolution of Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have become increasingly lethal and powerful. CAR finds that the Yemeni group is able to domestically manufacture some components while procuring more sophisticated electronic items from foreign supply networks.
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مسار تطور الطائرات بدون طيار التي تستخدمها القوات الحوثية في اليمن
تتبع هذه البرقية تطور الطائرات بدون طيار للحوثيين والذي أصبح يزداد في الضراوة والقوة. تجد منظمة بحوث التسلح أثناء الصراعات بأن هذه المجموعة اليمنية قادرة على صناعة بعض المكونات محليا فيما تقوم بالحصول على المكونات الإلكترونية الأكثر تطورا من شبكات الموردين الخارجية.
THE IED THREAT IN BAHRAIN
This report shows that external supply chains have provided components for the construction of IEDS to Bahraini militants. This materiel is identical to materiel captured from Houthi forces in Yemen and demonstrates Bahraini militants’ capability to manufacture explosives and IEDs domestically.