Russian arms are being sold on a black market in Syria and Iraq. Here are photos of AK-74M with a Pulsar Apex XQ38 and six magazines for sale in Idlib province, Syria for $5500 accordong to German Independent SALW Researcher focused on MENA/Asia and NSAGs @AnalystMick. As we can see the instruction booklet comes with the automatic rifle. It looks like unused one.
AK-103 was most likely supplied by Russia to Assad regime. Russian SOFs carry some AK-103, but only very limited numbers and its very unlikely this rifle from them (but could be so). There is fact that AK-103 were given by Russia to fighters of Qawat Al-Nimr unit of Kassim Raslan before operation at Rasin El Aboud. Also there were statements about AK-103 deliveries to Assad’s police forces.
On photo one can see Russian AK-103 for sale in Iraq in 2018. It’s quite rare in Iraq, so most likely it was smuggled from Syria or delivered from Iran.
Hence, probably Russian arms are sold by Assad forces. It is unknown who are buyers. It is known that AK-103 in Syria are used also by Al Qaeda-linked Guardians of Religion Organization.
Russia continues to saturate the Middle East market with weapons used by armed groups and terrorist organizations. Their appearance on the black market of Syria and Iraq indicates the uncontrolled proliferation of Russian arms in the region, which contributes to the growth of security risks and violence against civilians. The saturation of the regional arms market contributes to the emergence and development of armed groups, criminal activity and the export of terrorism to neighboring countries.
