Kurdish SDF marksman with Zagros rifle
This footage, shot near Manbij, Syria, shows a member of the Kurdish-led SDF faction using a "Zagros" rifle. The weapon is a craft-built, Kurdish-made anti-materiel rifle, which made its debut around ten years ago with the Peshmerga forces. Material released from the time suggests that the rifles were made from the barrels of 14.5-millimeter ZPU anti-aircraft guns. He is purportedly engaging the Syrian National Army (aka Free Syrian Army), a Turkish-backed militia which is distinct from the actual Syrian army. However, notably bad form casts some doubt on this, as does his selfie-taking buddy. Hanging the barrel out the window and reloading before noting the impact of the sent round in order to correct are both indicators that this team is made up of amateurs, or the situation is not a serious one, or a little of both.
Paid members can join the discussion.