Video: Syrian Mig-23 destroyed on the ground by the rebels

March 14, 2012 Syria

This video, allegedly filmed on Mar. 7, 2012, shows rebels hitting a Syrian Arab Air Force Mig-23MS on the ground at Abu-Dhahur air base in the north west region of Idlib, with an AT-13 Saxhorn-2 (NATO designation for the Russian 9K115-2 Metis-M Anti-tank).

According to the Scramble Database, Abu-Dhahur is the home base of the 678 Sqn of the SyAAF.

Thanks to Bjørn Holst Jespersen for the heads-up

Syrian drones spying on rebels: made in Iran UAVs or amateur radio controlled models? (theaviationist.com)

About David Cenciotti 4404 Articles

David Cenciotti is a freelance journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written four books.

Alex says:

March 14, 2012 at 6:52 PM

Full destroyed? I doubt.
- David Cenciotti says:
  
  March 14, 2012 at 11:22 PM
  
  I agree, damaged, maybe beyond repair, but not completely destroyed.
Scott Cunningham says:

July 27, 2012 at 9:57 PM

Nice shot. Not complete kill (its a small ATGM, warhead about as big as a soda can), but I doubt it will fly again in this war. The ATGM gunner showed a decent proficiency with the weapon. He knew what he was doing. Pre-firing checks, setup, establish firing position, take the shot (accurately and quickly), and exfil the area. Well done.
Noah Rechtin says:

December 14, 2012 at 3:30 AM

I found a video that appears to show the MiG-23 after the attack. The circumstances appear to be the same: the aircraft is sitting in front of a hardened aircraft shelter and has damage on the tail consistent with the rocket attack. If this is indeed the same aircraft, it hasn’t been moved in months. The aircraft appears @ 3:42 in the video.

http://www.nytimes.com/video/2012/09/27/world/middleeast/100000001809375/fighting-for-idlib.html