Yasin (RPG)

The Yasin (Arabic: ياسين ‎), also known as Yassin,[2] or Al-Yassin,[3] is an anti-tank weapon developed by Hamas, first deployed in 2004.[4] It was named after Hamas' spiritual leader, Sheik Ahmed Yasin, killed by the Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, on March 22, 2004,[2]

Yasin (RPG)
TypeAnti-tank rocket-propelled grenade
Place of originPalestine
Service history
In serviceAugust 3, 2004[1]–Current
Used by
Warsal-Aqsa Intifada, Gaza War
Production history
DesignerAdnan al-Ghoul
DesignedBelieved to be in 2004
ManufacturerHamas
Produced2004–?
Specifications
Mass7 kg (15 lb)[2]
Length95 cm (37")[2]
Crew1 or 2, depending on situation
Caliber40 mm (1.57") ; 85mm. Warhead[2]
Muzzle velocity295 m/s[2]
Effective firing range300 m[2]
SightsIron sights.

Primarily used by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, [5] it has also been deployed by Hamas units in Gaza, including the Executive Force,[6] and Naval Police.[7] Other users include fighters connected to Fatah and the PFLP.[2]

Although intended as an anti-tank weapon, the Yasin was chiefly operated against soft-skin vehicles, and personnel. In October 2018, it was reported the warheads were being repurposed as IEDs; research continues on a replacement effective against current Israeli armor.[8]

History

Unveiled on August 30, 2004,[1] the Yasin was reportedly developed by Hamas engineers from the Research and Industry Unit, [9] directed by Adnan al-Ghoul, killed in Gaza by the IDF on October 22, 2004.[2]

First used against Israeli soldiers and Palestinian police officers in 2005, [8] after the 2006 Lebanon War, production was accelerated in anticipation of an armed conflict with Israel.[10] During the 2006 Gaza conflict, there were reports of its use against Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip,[11] as well as at Beit Lahiya.[12] On August 14, 2007, Hamas reported firing a Yasin at an Israeli tank in Khan Yunis.[13] During the Gaza War, Hamas Naval Police officers were reportedly trained in its use.[7]

In 2018, Israeli intelligence claimed Yasin warheads were being converted into as balloon-based IEDs, since improvements to the armor used by Israeli military vehicles made them obsolete in their primary role.[8] Efforts to develop upgrade RPG rockets to penetrate protective armor continue, in a project known as Tandem 85.[8]

Design

The Yasin's design was influenced by the RPG-2 and RPG-7,[2] made in Gaza.[14] From the former, it used the rocket launcher tube design and the warhead's external shape and rocket motor which are very simple.[2] From the latter, the divergent nozzle at the launcher’s rear to deflect recoil generated by launching the rocket with a rocket booster attached to the propelled grenade to extend its range and enhanced warhead.[2] In addition, the large cone at the back end is taken from the RPG-7.[3]

The RPG is reported to be made in small underground workshops, with an explosive filler made from molten TNT and powdered ammonium nitrate.[15] While it has a claimed effective range of 300 meters, the Israeli Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center suggests between 200 to 250 meters.[16]

According to fighters from Popular Resistance Committees's Saladin brigades, the Yasin was able to take down a Merkava Mk. 3 in an undisclosed date by firing it at a "weak point".[2] However, it is more effective in urban warfare, able to destroy brick walls and penetrate a 21 cm steel plate from 150 meters,[2] although the ITIC suggests 200 mm (20 cm).[16]

Operators
gollark: I am not going to put in the effort to read tons of this and extract a coherent narrative which probably isn't there, because frankly it does not seem worth my time, or anyone's.
gollark: Well, it explains random facts about things, and in some cases non-facts, but it doesn't... actually say anything more than "here are some random facts about things".
gollark: It does not explain anything.
gollark: If you have an actual *idea*, or *theory*, ***EXPLAIN IT***.
gollark: Even if these documents are not literally *wrong* on the whole (one of the random website printouts was clearly not accurate, and I can't really evaluate complex physics/engineering stuff well), that doesn't mean you can somehow infer much from it.

References
  1. "Hamas's Military Wing Marks Organization's 29th Anniversary With Special Report On Its Military Industry". MEMRI.
  2. "Yassin RPG – The Underground RPG of Gaza". November 14, 2017.
  3. "SADJ Identification Series: The RPG ID Guide".
  4. "Hamas Army". Archived from the original on 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  5. Friedrich & Luethold 2007, p. 107.
  6. "Hamas's military buildup in the Gaza Strip (Updated April 2008)" (PDF). Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC). 2007-04-08. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-17. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  7. "Hamas and the Terrorist Threat from the Gaza Strip" (PDF). Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC). March 2010. p. 285. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  8. Obscura, Calibre. "Hamas' Mysterious Anti-Tank Weapon". calibreobscura.substack.com.
  9. "Guest Post: Ghoul 14.5mm Anti-Materiel Rifle, a Palestinian copy of the Steyr HS-50 or Modified Domestically? -". March 6, 2018.
  10. "Hamas's military buildup in the Gaza Strip (Updated April 2008)" (PDF). Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC). 2007-04-08. p. 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-17. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  11. "RPG-missile-..-Yassin-Missile-..-"-Shewath-bomb"-during-the-attack-On-Maghazi | Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades". 67.215.245.108.
  12. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3324808,00.html
  13. "Al Qassam Brigades fired 6 RPGs and Yassin rocket - Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades". www.qassam.ps.
  14. Kate Seelye (Reporter) (May 9, 2006). Palestinian Territories: Inside Hamas (Documentary). Gaza Strip & West Bank: PBS. Event occurs at 9:19 to 9:36.
  15. http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-improvised-craft-weapons-report.pdf
  16. "Hamas's military buildup in the Gaza Strip (Updated April 2008)" (PDF). Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC). 2007-04-08. p. 41. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-17. Retrieved 2020-03-20.

Bibliography
  • Friedrich, Ronald; Luethold, Arnold (2007). Entry-Points to Palestinian Security Sector Reform. Democratic Control of Armed Forces. ISBN 978-9292220617.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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