Direct proof of use
Bellingcat's January 2015 survey of the Syrian Arab Air Force identified the SA-342 Gazelle's combat debut during the defense of Tabqa airbase and reported that the helicopters were armed with HOT missiles while seeing heavy action against Islamic State vehicles.
That evidence ties the HOT missile to Syrian government and allied operations in the 2011 Syrian Civil War through a specific launch platform, user, target set, and battle context.
Sources: Bellingcat Syrian Arab Air Force
Tabqa setting
Tabqa airbase was the Syrian government's last major foothold in Raqqa province when Islamic State forces attacked it in August 2014. Contemporary reporting by Al Jazeera, citing SOHR and Syrian state media, said Islamic State fighters captured the base after days of fighting and that the Syrian military withdrew while continuing strikes.
The Washington Institute described the Raqqa defeats as a campaign by ISIS against isolated regime positions, culminating in the capture of al-Tabqa Airfield in late August 2014. In that setting, the HOT-armed Gazelles were documented as part of the government's air-defense and fire-support response around the airbase rather than as transferred or captured weapons.
Sources: Al Jazeera Tabqa Airbase, Washington Institute Raqqa Defeat, Bellingcat Syrian Arab Air Force
Operational role
The documented role was anti-armor and fire support from Syrian SA-342 Gazelle helicopters. Bellingcat described the open desert around Tabqa as well suited to the helicopters and connected their HOT missile use to attacks on Islamic State vehicles.
The available public source record supports use by Syrian government forces around Tabqa, but it does not provide a missile count, serial evidence, or a complete sortie log for the engagement.
Sources: Bellingcat Syrian Arab Air Force
