On May 31, 2022, a pro-Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Telegram channel published a short video titled "Meet the Silent Killer," highlighting the danger posed by drones operated by Russian forces supporting the Syrian regime, which target rebel factions. In the video, HTS operatives recommended tactics to avoid drones, including camouflage techniques, the use of underground tunnels, and other tips for "secret" combat.
Due to the danger they pose, said the narrator of the video, drones are often dubbed "silent killers," since their attacks often surprise their targets. He noted that drones can trace communication between operatives and detect their precise locations. A field commander was shown saying drones can capture footage of rebels at long range and strike accurately by using guided lasers or rockets. He added that rebels should be cautious of such drones, because they may be able to pick up wireless communication signals, and can capture infrared footage of HTS operatives if they are not properly camouflaged.
The video concluded with the narrator stating that reconnaissance drones are one of the most important spying tools used by the enemy, reminding viewers that distracting and diverting such drones confuses the enemy and deplete its resources. In addition to showing operatives, the video included archival footage of different drones, targets, and rebel operation rooms.
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