US sends advanced air defence systems to northeast Syria PHOTO / VIDEO

The US has recently sent at least 20 military vehicles to Syria, including the M-1097 Avenger short-range air defence system.

Video footage released on social media on July 21-22 shows the convoy passing through the Al-Walid border gate into northeast Syria, Caliber.Az reports citing Türkiye’s Defense Turk’s message on X.

🔵🇺🇸ABD'den 🇸🇾Suriye'ye hava savunma sistemi takviyesi

🔸ABD, Suriye'nin kuzeydoğusunda terör örgütü PKK/YPG'nin işgali altındaki bölgelere kısa menzilli hava savunma sistemleri gönderdi
🔗https://t.co/wT69lUG1ZS pic.twitter.com/xkEhLb9WHf

— Defence Turk (@Defence_Turk) July 23, 2024

The convoy, detailed by Mintel World, comprised at least 15 vehicles, including four M-1097 Avengers, M1224 International MaxxPro MRAPs, and Oshkosh M-ATV air defence systems.

Earlier, a convoy of about 40 vehicles, accompanied by a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, was sent to the region.

According to some sources, the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation may use the air defence system against Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in northern Syria. According to reports, the US trained PKK/YPG terrorists in Al-Ḥasakah, Syria and also provided them with ammunition and equipment.

The M-1097 Avenger is a short-range air defence system designed to be particularly effective against low-altitude threats. This system is mounted on a High Mobility Multifunction Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), which ensures high mobility. The system carries eight FIM-92 Stinger air defense systems.

The Stinger air defence systems, known for their infrared tracking and targeting capabilities, effectively counter aerial threats such as aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. Additionally, they feature a 12.7 mm machine gun for enhanced protection.

The M-1097 Avenger, equipped with advanced electro-optical and infrared tracking systems, offers high accuracy both day and night.

Built on the Humvee platform, the Avenger can quickly reposition and operate in challenging terrain, providing critical air defense for ground forces and protecting forward-deployed troops and infrastructure. Widely used by various armed forces, including the US Army, the M-1097 Avenger is a versatile component of modern military air defence systems.