Yemen M113

The government of Yemen received a number of M113 APC via US aid to support internal security and counter terrorist operations.   

An initial delivery of 32 M113 (versions unknown) occurred in 2006 (SIPRI) as part of a US aid package.   Recently leaked diplomatic cables (via Wikileaks) dated late 2008 indicate that the US sought to supply further M113 to Yemen.   However due to lack of available US stocks requests were sent out to other M113 operators in the region to check feasibility and availability for  third party transfers to Yemen.  The outcome of these requests is unknown.


Some sources suggest that Yemen has been an operator of the M113 in large numbers since the late 1970s, however I cannot verify this.

2011 (Arab Spring) Uprising

In late March 2011 at least three individual M113 were deploying to guard the Yemeni Central Bank in Sana’a to counter protesters.

These vehicles had a number of apparent modifications.  In the rear crew compartment three visor blocks were installed on each side, along with firing ports under them.   What appears to be a DSK(M) heavy machine guns has been installed and the associated firing position partial enclosed by protective plating with vision blocks.  Razor/Barbed wire also surrounds the top of the vehicles, a feature seen on some other Yemeni army vehicles during the uprising.

North Yemen Shia Insurgency (2004 -)

A number of Yemeni Government M113 have been either captured or destroyed in recent years during the Shia Insurgency in Northern Yemen, led by the Houthis group (Al-Shabab al Mumin)

The following images have  captured from three seperate videos  (hence the quality) believed taken by the Houthis group:

1.

A captured M113, possibly a very early production model (thin headlight guard), operated by Houthis fighters in 2008.  The banner on the front of the vehicle displays their motto which translates to " God Is the Greatest. Death to America. Death to Israel, a Curse on the Jews.  Victory to Islam ”

2.

An immobilised M113 in 2009.  Houthis fighters again displaying their motto.

3.

M113 found by Houthis fighters having captured Yemeni army base in the mountains in September 2009.

South Yemen insurgency (2009-)

The Yemeni government has also faced violence a further insurgency in the South, relating to a renewed separatism in the form of the "Southern Movement".

Reportedly taken in 2011 in the Southern town of Ja’ar this “Northen Yemeni”(assumed Government) M113 is shown after being reportedly being immobilised by RPG rounds, note the destroyed front left hand drive sprocket, road wheels and track.   Those personnel alive inside surrendered and the vehicle was then totally destroyed.

Any further information or pictures relating to M113s in Yemen would be greatly appreciated.

Libya (National Liberation Army) M577 Command Vehicle

A photograph has recently emerged from Libya showing a modified M577 command vehicle operated by National Liberation Army/Rebel forces.  The date and location are unstated although judging from the time of circulation it may relate to the battle for Tripoli.

 

The M577 is a [tactical] command vehicle based on the M113 APC and easily identified by the heightened crew compartment.

The presence of an M577 in Libya is somewhat of a revelation as it was never a known operator of this specific type.  However Libya was known to be a user of the base M113  APC as discussed in this earlier article: http://esotericarmour.blogspot.com/2011/05/libya-m113.html 

Analysis of the image also suggests that this is a very early M577.  This conclusion based upon the thinner headlight guard and the visible weld seams where the chassis has been modified.  This would support the idea that it was probably imported from the US at the same time as the M113s.  However it remains unknown how many examples were received or how many were still operational when the civil war broke out.

The circumstances of the capture of this vehicle are also unclear, although some M113s were known to of seized relatively early on in the conflict their serviceability was questionable and there was no evidence that they were ever put into rebel service.

This M577 has been modified by it’s new operators by adding a turret from a BMP-1, housing a 73 mm 2A28 ‘Grom’ low pressure smoothbore semi-automatic gun.   It is unknown if the turret has been simply welded in place or the turret ring fitting to allow it to be traversed (turned) manually.

The most obvious place for it to be fitted would be above the commanders hatch allowing access and operation of the gun from beneath as designed.  It should be noted that this hatch aperture is quite far forward on the vehicle roof so some further modification to accommodate the turret may be required.  However even if the turret/gun is not fully functional its visible addition to a relatively lightly armoured and armed vehicle such as the M577 could act as a valuable deterrent.

The vehicle has also received a rather unsubtle new paint scheme replicating the flag adopted by the National Transitional Council, which itself is a resurrection of the flag used by the Kingdom of Libya between 1951-1969, prior to the coup that saw Gaddafi come to power.

Any further information or photographs regarding this or other M577s in Libya would be greatly appreciated as would a translation of the Arabic text on the side of the vehicle.

Libya M113

 

Recent photographs of US made M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers in Libyan service during the current Civil War have caused some surprise amongst spectators.

The relationship between the Libya and the US deteriorated in the 1970s due to Libya’s involvement in state sponsored terrorism.  This resulted in a US arms export ban and the suspension of a number of impending equipment transfers.  The extent of military deliveries prior to such restrictions is unclear.  Libya did receive a number of US aircraft types after this time, however the majority of these were delivered and/or manufactured (under license) via Italy.

The source and number of M113 deliveries is therefore uncertain. 

In regards to the source of these Libyan M113s a number of possibilities should be considered:

a) Imported by either Italy or Brazil, both of which operate the M113 in large numbers and are known suppliers of military vehicles to Libya.

b) Supplied by one of Libya’s allies in the Middle East and/or Africa.

c) US exported before restrictions.

Before the Civil War and with the recent thaw in US/Libyan relations, Libya reported sought a deal to refurnish/upgrade 50 M113s, thus giving an indication of minimum numbers.

A photograph of an M113 being transported, via a low loader, to the Benghazi on or around 18 March 2011.  The green flag indicates that it is being operated by pro-Gaddafi forces.

Free Libya Rebels gather around two M113s.  Neither of these vehicles are identical to the one above although may be part of the same convoy.  The circumstances of this photograph are unclear but the rear M113 has clearly suffered severe damage.

01 Apr 2011, Benghazi, Libya --- A burned out tank lies next to the street in Benghazi..."

(Corbis)

A further photograph of the damaged M113, now removed from the trailer and left abandoned by the side of the road.  It is unknown if the other seemingly undamaged vehicle was put into rebel service.

A final archive screenshot of a Libyan M113 during a parade (date unknown)

From a 1/35 scale modelling perspective……

There are numerous M113 variants available from a range of manufactures, however the Tamiya and Academy offering are generally considered the best.   Libyan examples are likely to represent early M113/M113A1 so choose accordingly.

UPDATE 13/06/2011

In regards to the likely origin of Libyan M113s it seems increasingly likely that there were exported direct from the USA prior to any restrictions.  This is based primarily on the following two factors.

1. Closer inspection of the photos indicates that these are the early M113 base variants (as opposed to the M113A1 introduced in 1964), indicates by the thin front headlight bracket/guard.  

2. SIPRI indicates the delivery year for these vehicles as 1966.

Although it has been also pointed out that Italy licensed produced M113s, although I cannot be certain, it seems unlikely there were exporting or manufacturing such base models in the mid 1960s.

UPDATE: 10/07/2011

In this undated photograph of a further M113 example further indications of it being an early base model M113 are evident.  The headlight guard is clearly the thinner more circular cross section design when compare to M113A1 and later models.  The engine access panel also reveals the white circlur air cleaner upper body associated with the early M113 Chrysler 75M gasoline engine, subsequent variants all had diesel engines.