Imagery Analysis: Iraq, Iran-allied forces push towards Kirkuk

An analysis of Iran media imagery depicting the movements of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Iran-allied Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs) in the vicinity of Kirkuk; leading to the collapse and withdrawal of Kurdish Peshmerga forces from areas in Kirkuk, Ninewa, Salah al Din and Diyala provinces.

Iran media imagery originally published 17 and 18 October 2017.

Background: Iraqi Army M1A1M Main Battle Tank of IA 9th Division

Foreground: Iraqi Emergency Response Division (ERD) member equipped with VHS K2 assault rifle

Iran-backed Badr (Shia) militia members aboard Iran-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicle equipped with 106 mm type recoilless gun. Location appears to be K1 military facility near Kirkuk.

Iran-backed Badr (Shia) militia members at the K1 military base in Iraq, among a column of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) vehicles. This is the same mixed force that recently retook Hawija from ISIS the week of 05OCT2017.

Iraqi Army BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle affixed with Shia battle flag

Iraqi Federal Police (FP) members flashing victory signs aboard U.S.-supplied HMMWV, at the North Oil Company facility to the northeast of Kirkuk.

U.S.-supplied HMMWV utilized as personnel carrier for members of Iraqi Federal Police. The FP are by now extensively seasoned in the role of motorized infantry.

HMMWVs of the Iraqi Federal Police speed past the North Oil Company facility near Kirkuk

Command vehicles of the Iraqi Federal Police, driving past the North Oil Company facility near Kirkuk

Iraqi Federal Police high ranking officers, seasoned during the war against ISIL, assembled during the push towards Kirkuk.

Iraqi Police Feceral Police M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle (ASV)

Iraqi Police Feceral Police M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle (ASV)

Iraqi Federal Police Armored Security Vehicle commander

Iraqi Federal Police technical fitted with improvised single barrel of ZU-23 type AA gun

Iraqi Federal Police armored bulldozer

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit member takedown of Kurdish flag

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit members equipped with AKM type assault rifles and RPG

Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) HMMWV. Interesting to see these U.S.-trained personnel on U.S.-supplied vehicles, among a mixed force that includes Iran-backed PMUs under the aegis of IRGC-QF.

Column of Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service HMMWVs during movements in the vicinity of Kirkuk

Iraqi Emergency Response Division (ERD) members aboard U.S.-supplied HMMWV. Individual standing  equipped with VHS K2 assault rifle.

Iraqi Emergency Response Division HMMWV on the drive towards Kirkuk. Note Shia battle flag affixed to ERD vehicle, as well as positive reception by local non-Kurdish community.

Iraqi PMF members aboard Hilux vehicle, also appearing to be well received by by local non-Kurdish community.

Iraqi Army Navistar 7000-MV followed by Oshkosh MTVRs towing M198 howitzers, all U.S.-supplied.

Iraqi Army Oshkosh MTVRs towing M198 howitzers

Iraqi Federal Police member positioned with PKM type general purpose machine gun, with advancing elements of Iraqi Army 9th Division seen in the background.

Iraqi Army BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and T-72 type Main Battle tank of 34th Brigade, IA 9th Division. Note "Ya Abbas" Shia battle flag affixed to this Iraqi regular army vehicle.

Armored column of 34th Brigade, IA 9th Division, assembled for advance towards Kirkuk

Officer and men of Iraqi Army 9th Division aboard transport vehicle festooned with Shia battle flags, with soldier at top waving a "Ya Hussein" banner.

Iraqi Federal Police trucks equipped with IRAM artillery launchers

Iran-backed Badr militia column apparently at a roadway adjoining Iraqi Highway 3, northeast of Kirkuk

Iran-backed Badr militia members below overpass banner of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)

Foreground: Iraqi Army Aviation (IAA) Mil Mi-35M attack helicopter, reg. YI-365

Photos: Ali Salem, Murtaja Lateef, Hasan Ghaedi at Fars News Agency

Mahan Air A310 transports fallen soldiers remains to Kerman

Iran media imagery of six unknown soldiers remains being transported by Mahan Air to Kerman for services and internment. The soldiers were lost in the Karbala-4 offensive in 1986 during the Iran-Iraq War.

Mahan Air A310-304, reg. EP-MHO (cn 488)

Aircraft transport flight to KER taking place 12OCT2017. KER has recently been renamed in memory of the late former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who was born and raised in Kerman.

KER serves as a hub for Mahan Air. The airline's flight simulator and crew training centrer is located at this location. It is also the main hub for Bootia-Mahan Aviation College,  a commercial pilot training serving Mahan Air's cadet pilot program.

Mahan Air is sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for rendering transport services to IRGC-QF, in support of the Syrian Arab Republic and allied regional fighting forces.

IRIAF 747 humanitarian supply flight to Bangladesh

Iran media imagery of Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) loading medical supplies destined for Rohingya Muslim refugees, for the third humanitarian flight from Shahid Lashgari air base in Mehrabad/Tehran (TAB-1) to Bangladesh.

IRIAF Boeing 747-2J9F, serial 5-8113 (MSN: 21486) freighter-configured aircraft

This aircraft has a history of operations serving IRIAF, Saha Airlines and Iran Air

FMC cargo loader employed in the loading of aircraft. Iran media claims current total "consignment consists of 30 tons of biological, medical and medical supplies sent to Bangladesh".

IRIAF crew member observed atop FMC cargo loader, with "Shahid Lashgari battalion" security personnel observed in the background.

Photos: Hossein Zohrevand at Tasnim News Agency

IRGC-ASF Ballistic Missiles at Sacred Defense Parade 2017

IRGC-ASF Khorramshahr intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM)

IRGC-ASF Khorramshahr intermediate-range ballistic missile (MRBM)

IRGC-ASF Qiam ("Uprising") tactical short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)

IRGC-ASF Emad ("Pillar") medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)

IRGC-ASF Sejil ("Baked clay, Koranic event") medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)

IRGC-ASF Ghadr-F (“Intensity-F”) medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)

IRGC-ASF Zolfiqar ("Sword bestowed by Muhammad") short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) (x2)

Video:

Photos: Hossein Mersadi at Fars News Agency, Majid Haghdoust at Mehr News Agency

Fighter-Bomber aircraft at Shahid Abdulkarim/Bandar Abbas TAB-9

Iran media imagery published 20SEP2017 of IRIAF and IRGC-ASF fighter-bomber aircraft at Shahid Abdulkarim/Bandar Abbas TAB-9.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Dowran fighter-bomber with A/M32A-60 series generator set

Pilot and RIO aboard IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bomber

Unusual serial in Western Arabic/European numerals applied on left air conditioner / avionics cooling intake (possibly digitally superimposed onto image), suggesting serial 3-6675, MSN: 4940.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bomber with A/M32A-60 series generator set

Detail marking of Dowran update variant for IRIAF F-4E fighter-bomber. Monogram letters "AD" visible in Roman script.

Another view of contemporary era A/M32A-60 series generator set. Bandar Abbas is home to IRIAF 91st TFS.

IRGC-ASF Sukhoi Su-22UM Fitter E fighter-bomber / two-seat combat-trainer, likely based out of Shahid Dastghaib/Shiraz TAB-7.

Pair of IRGC-ASF Sukhoi Su-22UM Fitter E fighter-bomber / two-seat combat-trainers, one aircraft's likely serial 15-2453.

Photos: Tasnim News Agency

Imagery of IRIAA 5th Combat Group at Mashhad

Iran media imagery dated 09AUG2017 depicting Iran Army tour of  IRIAA 5th Combat Group based at Mashhad:

Foreground: IRIAA Bell AH-1J International Cobra (209) serial 3-4464 of Attack bn

Background: IRIAA Bell (Agusta) AB-206 JetRanger II of Attack bn

Forward detail of IRIAA Bell AH-1J International Cobra (209) attack helicopter

Gunner station of IRIAA Bell AH-1J International Cobra (209) attack helicopter

Pilot station of IRIAA Bell AH-1J International Cobra (209) attack helicopter

IRIAA Attack battalion elements comprising Bell AH-1J International Cobras and Bell (Agusta) AB-206 JetRanger II helicopters.

Foreground: IRIAA 2nd lieutenant in flight gear

IRIAA lieutenant colonel beside Bell 214 Isfahan medium-lift helicopter of Assault bn

Bell 214 Isfahan medium-lift helicopter in operation

Cabin view of IRIAA Bell 214 Isfahan medium-lift helicopter

External cockpit detail of Bell 214 Isfahan medium-lift helicopter

Row of parked IRIAA Bell 214 Isfahan medium-lift helicopters

IRIA brigadier general 2C touring IRIAA 5th Combat Group with base commander, rank of colonel 

IRIA Northeast Regional Operations HQ and unit personnel, among members of IRIAA 5th Combat Group at Mashhad.

Photos: Nima Najafzadeh at Tasnim News Agency