Khaibar-1
![](../I/m/Khaibar-1.jpg)
![](../I/m/Khaibar.jpg)
The Khaibar-1 (Arabic: خيبر-1), also known as the Khyber-1, the M-302,[1] or the B-302[2] is a Syrian-made 302 mm[3] unguided artillery artillery rocket. It is best known for being used by Hezbollah against targets in northern Israel during the 2006 Lebanon War, and has also been used in the Syrian Civil War. It is essentially a clone of the Chinese WS-1 rocket.[1]
The Khaibar-1 is significant because the rocket has a 100 km range,[4][5] longer than the BM-21 Grad rockets that make up most of the Hezbollah rocket force. It uses a unique Syrian-designed launcher and possibly a cluster munition[6] or fragmentation warhead.[7][8] The rocket is easily recognizable by its fixed tail fins.
The rocket is often misidentified as Iranian[9][10] or as a variant of Iranian Fajr-3[7] or Fajr-5 rockets.[11]
Usage
The rocket's first use was being fired at the Israeli city of Afula during the 2006 Lebanon War. In early August 2006, Khaibar-1 rockets were reported to hit Beit Shean, about 70 km south of the Lebanese border,[12] Hadera,[13] and Haifa, Israel's third-largest city.[14]
Iran has attempted to ship the Khaibar-1 rocket to Gaza as well.[1]
Origin of the name
Khaibar, also spelled Khaybar, is an oasis approximately 95 miles east of Medina, which was once the largest Jewish settlement in Arabia. The name was chosen as a reminder of the Battle of Khaybar, a battle that took place in 629 between Muhammed and his followers against the Jewish people who inhabited the settlement. The name of the rocket was first revealed on July 28, 2006 by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a speech on Al-Manar television station.
See also
- 2006 Lebanon War
- Weishi Rockets on which the Khaibar-1 is based.[15]
References
- 1 2 3 Yuri Lyamin and N.R. Jenzen-Jones (March 12, 2014). "Assessment of the Khaibar-1 Rockets Captured by the IDF". Armament Research Services.
- ↑ William M. Arkin, Divining Victory: Airpower in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War (2007) p. 35 ISBN 978-1585661688
- ↑ "Hezbollah's Rocket Blitz - by David Eshel". Defense Update. 2006-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
- ↑ "Police: Missile fired at Hadera - Israel News, Ynetnews". Ynetnews.com. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
- ↑ "'Hezbollah has long-range surface-to-air missiles'". Jpost.com. 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
- ↑ "302mm Khaibar (M-302)". Foundation for Defense of Democracies. 28 October 2013.
- 1 2 William M. Arkin, Divining Victory: Airpower in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War (2007) p. 34 ISBN 978-1585661688
- ↑ "Civilians under Assault: Hezbollah'ss Rocket Attacks on Israel in the 2006 War: Hezbollah's Arsenal". Human Rights Watch.
- ↑ Anthony H. Cordesman, Martin Kleiber. Iran's Military Forces and Warfighting Capabilities (2007) ISBN 978-0-89206-501-1 p.60-61
- ↑ Pontin, Mark Williams. "The Missiles of August".
- ↑ Dullum, Ove (30 June 2010). "The Rocket Artillery Reference Book" (PDF). Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). ISBN 978-82-464-1829-2.
- ↑ "JPost | French-language news from Israel, the Middle East & the Jewish World". Fr.jpost.com. 2013-10-15. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
- ↑ "For first time: Hizbullah targets Hadera area - Israel News, Ynetnews". Ynetnews.com. 1995-06-20. Archived from the original on 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
- ↑ "Record number of rockets hit north; 80 hurt - Israel News, Ynetnews". Ynetnews.com. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
- ↑ "Hamas firing long-range M-302 rockets at Israel, capable of 150-km distance". Haaretz. Retrieved 2014-07-09.