A weekend drone strike that killed a pair of al-Qaeda leaders in northwestern Syria appears to have been one of the first uses of a seldom deployed variant of the US-made Hellfire missile, the R9X variant. This is known as the “flying Ginsu.”
While the heavily-used AGM-114 Hellfire missiles are explosive-based, the variant is a non-explosive weapon, described as ‘an anvil covered in swords.’ The bomb fans out the swords and means to cut the enemy to ribbons.
This was meant to preclude the large explosives that regular bombs often cause, arguing that just flinging a bunch of swords at people would cause fewer civilian casualties. It’s not clear this has panned out, as the US has officially not discussed how often they are deployed or the consequences.
Officially the R9X has not been a matter of public record at all, but they have been reported to have been used a handful of times since 2017. The attacks reported to involve the weapon seem to be vehicles.
Based on the name of the group mentioned — it is very questionable that US is targettingvAl-Qaeda. And why endless name games. The REAL AL-QAEDA is HTS, whose headquarters are WELL known to Washington. The same one that changed name three times to lose Al-Qaeda tracks. With their Western funding arm — the White Helmets.
And who is the targeted group? One of many Islamic groups that HTS forced to fight for them. And why are they targeted? Because they accepted Turkish deal and left HTS. This is not the first time US hit HTS controlled area — last time it was when Free Syrian Army factions abandoned HRS en masse. HTS struck one group and captured soldiers. Put them in prison — and US bombed the prison.
This is the message to Turkey — back off, do not undermine OUR assets. HTS tried a number of stunts — trued to rile up local population against Turkish-Russian patrols of M-4 highway, tried blocking it — tents and all. Turkey broke the camp down. Tries attacks on Turkish soldiers — claiming it was Syrian Army. Nothing worked — and now that militants have an opportunity to go to Libya — they are abandoning HTS.
US meddling in Idlib is asking for trouble. HTS is desperate enough to target Us. No idea what is Trump still doing in Syria. Provided somebody is actually asking him for permission.
That’ll teach those al Qaeda deadbeats, never take a gun to a flying knife fight.
Thankfully I wasn’t drinking anything when I read that.
But since we are a classy killer we’d rather cut you “to ribbons” than blow you to bits.