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UPDATE: The extended video shows that no Pantsir-S of the LNA was destroyed by drone strikes.
The video is cleverly made, showing 2 Pantsirs en route (footage that circulated on social media prior to the strike) and possible one deployed outside/moving to the hanger.
But ultimately, the only destroyed target shown is a technical, not a Pantsir. pic.twitter.com/piMCLgvtvx
— Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) May 17, 2020
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The Government of National Accord (GNA) Anger Volcano operations room claimed late on May 16 that a Russian-made Pantsir S1 air-defense system was destroyed in al-Wati’ah Air Base.
Sources affiliated with the GNA claimed that the air-defense system was destroyed by a Turkish combat drone right after arriving in the air base. The sources shared a video of the aftermath of the alleged drone strike.
#Libya– gun cam footage from the UAV in the immediate aftermath of the strike that destroyed the #LNA Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound in al-Watiyah.
Base looks low on activity & UAV operator doesn’t seem to perceive any threat given his idleness pic.twitter.com/qzjZUZnqaH
— Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) May 16, 2020
Observers confirmed that the video shows the southeastern part of al-Wati’ah Air Base. The footage, however, doesn’t show a Pantsir S1 system getting hit.
#Libya– Geolocation of the #LNA Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound that was destroyed in a #GNA UAV strike:
32.467473, 11.916827Southeast corner of al-Watiyah Airbase pic.twitter.com/MkKy6TbtcS
— Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) May 16, 2020
The UAE military deployed several Pantsir S1 systems in Libya last year in order to put an end to Turkish drone strikes on the Libyan National Army (LNA). According to Libyan sources, these systems have shot down dozens of drones, so far.
A few minutes after the GNA’s claims, the LNA announced that it had shot down several drones near the capital, Tripoli. The army didn’t share any details.
Earlier today, a Wing Loong II combat drone of the UAE Air Force (UAEAF) crashed near al-Wati’ah Air Base. The drone may have been shot down by Turkish forces.
Both sides in Libya are relying more and more on combat drones. Meanwhile, large-scale ground attacks are becoming less frequent.
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