"At least five of those machines were completely burnt and destroyed, with ripped off turrets or hulls torn apart by anti-tank ammunition. Two least damaged Leopards were taken off the battlefield by the Islamists as a military trophy. With time, many analyses on the course of the battle of al-Bab were prepared, basing on, for example, evaluation of photos taken on the battlefield. However, all photos and videos come from IS propaganda materials, and some of them were taken or recorded several weeks after the battle.
According to experts, at least six of the ten eliminated Leopards were successfully hit (with various results) by guided anti-tank missiles (Fagot or Konkurs), three were destroyed by IEDs or fougasses, and one was severely damaged with a SVBIED (Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device). This suggests that the attacking Turkish-Syrian group got into a well-prepared ambush organized by the Islamists. Another proof is that all Leopards eliminated by ATGMs were hit on the side or the rear, where the armor is the weakest. Therefore, it is a very reliable evidence that the attacking tanks were not properly protected by own infantry.
Some specialists say the degree of destruction suffered by at least three tanks suggests also that after the battle they were probably “finished off” by the Turkish Air Force, so that the IS would not seize them for further use. We also still do not know how many crew members were killed in the ambush near al-Bab. For a long time, the Turkish Army’s command denied having lost any Leopards in Syria."
According to experts, at least six of the ten eliminated Leopards were successfully hit (with various results) by guided anti-tank missiles (Fagot or Konkurs), three were destroyed by IEDs or fougasses, and one was severely damaged with a SVBIED (Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device). This suggests that the attacking Turkish-Syrian group got into a well-prepared ambush organized by the Islamists. Another proof is that all Leopards eliminated by ATGMs were hit on the side or the rear, where the armor is the weakest. Therefore, it is a very reliable evidence that the attacking tanks were not properly protected by own infantry.
Some specialists say the degree of destruction suffered by at least three tanks suggests also that after the battle they were probably “finished off” by the Turkish Air Force, so that the IS would not seize them for further use. We also still do not know how many crew members were killed in the ambush near al-Bab. For a long time, the Turkish Army’s command denied having lost any Leopards in Syria."
