Hello and welcome to the 326th installment of the SWD .

Military events/news are listed below by the governorates:

Aleppo:

Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish Air and Land Forces clashed with the Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPG in Rajo and Bulbul subdistricts, as neither side made significant advances in Afrin region. Reports suggest that two elements of the YPG were killed during the clashes in Rajo subdistrict, while five elements of TFSA were reportedly killed and six wounded during the clashes in Bulbul subdistrict.

Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPG targeted and destroyed Turkish Armed Forces’ tank (presumably a Leopard 2A4) with an anti-tank guided missile near Sheikh Haruz. General Staff of the Republic of Turkey announced that five elements of the Turkish Land Forces were killed in the destruction of the tank. General Staff also stated that two additional elements of the Turkish Land Forces were killed today in the clashes with the YPG . This announcement brings Turkish Armed Forces’ death toll in the operation ‘Olive Branch’ (AR: Ghasin al-Zaytun, TR: Zeytin Dalı) to 12 soldiers.

Turkish Armed Forces conducted strikes over 15 targets in Afrin region. Turkish Armed Forces also stated that at least 74 elements of Yekîneyên Parastina Gel were “neutralized” today and 897 since the start of the operation ‘Olive Branch’.

Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPG shelled Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army-held city of Azaz in the northern Aleppo. According to the reports, nine civilians were wounded by the shelling.

Syrian Arab Army reportedly captured Jazraya and Tell Mamou from the rebel factions in the southern Aleppo. However, the capture of Tell Mamou and yesterday’s capture of Tell Touqan should be taken with a grain of salt for now.

Approximate situation in Afrin and northern Aleppo. Source: Syrian Civil War Map

Idlib:

Russian Air Force conducted air raids over Sarja, Jarjanaz, Al-Ghadfa, Kafr Amim, Tell Maridkh and Saraqib in Idlib governorate. According to the reports, five civilians were killed and two wounded by the air raids over Sakina neighborhood of Saraqib, while three civilians were wounded by the air raids over Kafr Amim.

Free Syrian Army’s Jaysh al-Nasr downed Russian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-25 warplane with MANPADS , as it was conducting air raids over the city of Saraqib. The warplane crashed in Khan al-Sabil’s area, near the village of Maasran, reportedly hitting a building while crashing and killing three civilians. The pilot of the downed warplane parachuted safely to the ground, but was reportedly killed in the clashes with the rebels. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham also claimed responsibility for the downing of the Russian warplane, through its media outlet Ibaa News Agency.

Several rebel factions formed new operations room Dahar al-Ghaza (Defeat the Invaders), in order to stop the Syrian Arab Army and allies’ advances in Idlib, Hama, and Aleppo governorates. The operation room consists of Ahrar al-Sham, Free Idlib Army, Harakat Nour al-Deen al-Zenki, Liwa al-Arbaein, Faylaq al-Sham, Jaysh al-Izza, Jaysh al-Nukhba, Al-Firqat al-Awl Musha, Jaysh al-Ahrar, Jaysh al-Nasr, and Al-Jaysh al-Thani.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s elements stormed the city of Binish, after yesterday’s demonstrations in it against the rebel factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham lowered and burned the flag of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (Free Syrian Army), which was raised yesterday in the locality. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham also started arresting dozens of demonstrators and activists who took part in yesterday’s demonstrations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stormed the house of Hossam Houran and wounded him, in an attempt to arrest him. Houran died while being transferred to a hospital in Turkey. Similarly, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham raided the house of Ali Abdo al-Sayed and wounded him, also in an attempt to arrest him. Civilians in Binish held demonstrations in front of Al-Kabir mosque against today’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s acts.

Unknown gunmen assassinated commander of Ahrar al-Sham’s Kataib al-Hamza, Osama Kharita (Abu Zeid al-Askari) and his cousin Tariq, on the road near Maarrat Misrin.

Improvised explosive device targeted civilian vehicle near Al-Saruji mosque in Maarat al-Numaan, killing one and wounding four civilians.

Hama:

Syrian Arab Army reportedly captured Talhan and Abu al-Kusur from the Islamic State in the northeastern Hama.

Situation in the northeastern Hama. Source: Emmanuel

Deir al-Zour:

Islamic State’s improvised explosive device destroyed Syrian Democratic Forces’ vehicle carrying elements in the village of Drenj, according to the Amaq Agency. Similarly, Amaq Agency reported that Islamic State’s improvised explosive device killed two elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of Al-Bahra, northwest of Hajin.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that two element of the Syrian Democratic Forces were killed by an RPG in Al-Soussa area, north of Al-Baghouz village.

Daraa:

Free Syrian Army’s Katibat al-Shahid Muhammad al-Shara and Al-Malahim and Al-Shara tribes arrested Khalid al-Shara when he entered Free Syrian Army-held areas through Dael crossing. Khalid al-Shara was arrested for treason as he returned from the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi. Houran Revolutionary Council demanded from the ‘House of Justice in Houran’ to charge other Daraa’s participants of Sochi with treason. Khalid Al-Shara is currently imprisoned in Katibat al-Shahid Muhammad al-Shara’s prison, until the ‘House of Justice in Houran’ requests his extradition.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device at the outskirts of Dael. The vehicle was found in the locality and was detonated to prevent civilian casualties and material damage. Free Syrian Police and Syrian Civil Defense (Th White Helmets) were present at the time of detonation.

Iraq

Nineveh:

Islamic State’s improvised explosive device killed two and wounded several elements of the Iraqi Federal Police near the border between Syria and Iraq, according to the Islamic State’s Amaq Agency.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 19 and wounded 23 elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in Khaja Sahib Posh district, according to the Afghan Ministry of Defense.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan clashed with the Afghan Local Police in Faizabad area of Shirin Tagab district. According to the reports, five elements of the Afghan Local Police, including commander Neamatullah were killed and three wounded in the clashes.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed and killed an element of the Afghan Local Police in Chahar Toth area of Pashtun Kot district. Similarly, Afghan Local Police’s element was ambushed and killed by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Yaka Toth area of Pashtun Kot district.

Three elements of the Afghan Local Police surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Gurziwan district.

Kunduz Province:

Approximate situation in Kunduz province, HD version of this map can be found here. Source: Afganistan Bülteni

Nangarhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed nine fighters of the Islamic State in Achin district.

Approximate situation in Nangarhar province (red = Afghan National Security Forces, blue = Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and yellow = Islamic State), HD version of this map can be found here. Source: Afganistan Bülteni

Maidan Wardak Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed one and wounded two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Saydabad district. Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed a motorcycle.

Ghazni Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Andar and Deh Yak districts, killing nine and wounding six elements of the group. Furthermore, Afghan National Security Forces destroyed two weapons depots and ammunition caches, 255 improvised explosive devices, and 630 kilograms (1388 pounds) of explosive materials.

Farah Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Army’s foot patrol in Gorgaki area of Anar Dara district, killing one and wounding one soldier.

Approximate situation in Farah province, HD version of this map can be found here. Source: Afganistan Bülteni

Urozgan Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran important Afghan National Army’s military base in Kala Ragh area of Chora district. Three elements of the Afghan National Army were reportedly killed and two wounded in the clashes for the base, while the remaining elements withdrew from the base. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized two PK machine guns, an RPG launcher, and large quantities of ammunition from the base.

Zabul Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Army’s checkpoint in Mizan district, killing one and wounding one soldier.

Nimruz Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan repelled Afghan National Security Forces’ attack in the vicinity of Haji Wazir Killi area.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Army’s vehicle and killed four soldiers in Delaram district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized an assault rifle from the encounter.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed five fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed a drug factory in Nad Ali and Kajaki districts. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that it clashed with the Afghan National Security Forces’ reinforcements arriving in Terikh Nawar and Dorahi areas of Nad Ali district. According to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, two armored personnel carriers were destroyed in the clashes.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Police’s patrol in Shishak area of the city of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand Province. Three elements of the Afghan National Police were reportedly killed and wounded in the ambush.

Approximate situation in Hemland province, HD version of this map can be found here. Source: Afganistan Bülteni

Kandahar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted large-scale operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Maywand district, killing 51, wounding two, and arresting 31 elements of the group, according to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. Furthermore, Afghan National Security Forces destroyed 167 weapons and three vehicles in the operations.

CJTF-OIR :

CJTF-OIR announced a change in their publishing policy. Now two strikes reports will be published each week, on Mondays and Fridays.

Amaq Agency:

Other:

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