Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham’s Drone Capabilities and Use against Assad Forces

The Shaheen Brigade, also referred to as the Falcon Brigade, is a prominent unit within the Syrian opposition forces currently storming across the country, mostly led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and particularly active in the recent rebel offensive that – in less than two weeks – managed to capture four major cities and oust President Bashar al-Assad after 24 years of rule. This unit has been integral in the development and deployment of innovative drone technologies, improving the military effectiveness of HTS and affiliated opposition forces in the recent offensive.

This ingenuity of asymmetric drone use stems from over a decade of technological experimentation and battlefield adaptation, making the brigade a pioneer in drone warfare within the Syrian security context and among regional non-state actors.

While some reports suggest that Ukrainian operatives may have provided training and expertise to enhance these capabilities, concrete evidence of such links remains unverified. Nevertheless, the sophistication of HTS’s drone operations underscores the impact of cheap, commercial technology as it relates to local insurgency tactics, further exemplified by similar developments in Myanmar, Yemen, and other conflict zones.

Figure 1 - A Shaheen Brigade's member launches a delta-wing attack UAS - Source: HTS Amjad media