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In this image   From the BBC, a militia leader makes sure that the PKM is up front and center.  As in the picture of the Al Shabab marchers, it makes sense to put some of the more powerful weapons up front, to show that you are well armed, perhaps to intimidate enemies, or gain some political clout.  This might be considered a local version of the Soviet May Day military parade. With both side and bottom shots of the soldier/militiaman with the PKM, the use of the feed box/ammunition box is clear.   They are conspicuously lacking in the...

I found the photo of Al Shabab marching, presumably somewhere in Somalia, interesting.  It gives a clear look at some of their weaponry.  As an organization that deals in terror, I would expect it to be extremely conscious of the image that it puts forth.   This likely explains the preponderance of  PKM light machine guns in the hands of the four rightward ranks of the front marchers (their right). These are probably the most powerful weapons that are carried on foot by Al Shabab.  I only see those four, and it appears that other troops are equipped with AK...