Hello and welcome to the 365th installment of the SWD .

Military events/news are listed below by the governorates:

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Aleppo:

Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish Air and Land Forces captured 13 localities from the Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPG in Afrin region, as a part of the operation ‘Olive Branch’ (AR: Ghasin al-Zaytun, TR: Zeytin Dalı). Free Syrian Army captured Al-Yabisa in Bulbul subdistrict, Kuran, Sheikh al-Deir, Al-Ghazawiya, Al-Ghazawiya camp and surrounding hills, Maarata, Kaziyah, Al-Naira, and Tellat 727 in Jindires subdistrict, and Kafr Shil, Halilu, Kafr Dali Fawqani, and Folqan in Afrin subdistrict. Free Syrian Army also captured two elements of the YPG in Kafr Shil village.

Turkish Air Force conducted air raids over a National Defense Forces’ checkpoint in Al-Ziyara area. The air raids killed eight elements of the National Defense Force and destroyed the checkpoint. National Defense Forces and Syrian Arab Army reportedly shelled TFSA -held Marea in Northern Aleppo, in response to the air raids over the checkpoint.

Situation in Afrin region, according to the official operation ‘Olive Branch’ account (Pink areas = newly-captured territory). Source: Amaliyat Ghasin al-Zaytun / Zeytin Dalı Harekatı

Hama:

Ten rebel factions launched “Anger for Ghouta” offensive against the Syrian Arab Army and its allies in the northwestern Hama. The factions involved in the offensive are; Jaysh al-Izza, Jaysh al-Ahrar, Jabhat Tahrir Suriya, Jabhat al-Inqaz al-Muqatila, Al-Firqat Awla Musha, Al-Fawj 111, Jaysh al-Shaeb, Tajammu Ahl al-Sham, Liwa Shuhada al-Tarimisa, and Liwa al-Hamza. The rebel factions were able to briefly capture Kernaz and Al-Hamamiyat, before they were recaptured by the Syrian Arab Army. Jabhat Tahrir Suriya’s commander, Mohammed Khattab was killed during the battles for the aforementioned localities. Reports claim that at least 40 rebel fighters were killed in today’s fighting in northwestern Hama. Syrian Arab Army also captured a rebel tank involved in the offensive.

Situation in the northern Hama. Source: Emmanuel

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery and Syrian Arab Air Force targeted Hazeh, Kafr Batna, Saqba, Arbeen, Hammouriyah, and Jisreen in the East Ghouta. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), four civilians were killed by the targeting of Kafr Batna, while several were reportedly killed by the targeting of Hammouriyah and Saqba. Syrian Civil Defense also stated that its center in Hammouriyah was completely destroyed by today’s air raids over the locality.

Rebel forces in the East Ghouta shelled Jaramana and Babila, as well as Al-Qasaa and Al-Duwaileah areas of the city of Damascus. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, five civilians were wounded by the shelling of the aforementioned localities.

Syrian Arab Red Crescent evacuated another 25 wounded civilians from Douma in the East Ghouta through Al-Wafideen crossing. The evacuated civilians are reportedly receiving treatment in hospitals in the city of Damascus, with reports that serious cases will be transferred to hospitals in Turkey. The evacuated individuals will be transported back to Douma after their treatment is finished. Reports suggest that two more batches of wounded civilians will be evacuated from Douma, under the agreement between Jaysh al-Islam and Russia.

Syrian Arab Army made advances inside Jisreen against Faylaq al-Rahman and reportedly captured around half of the locality. Syrian Arab Army also made advances against Jaysh al-Islam on Al-Rayhan front.

Approximate situation in the East Ghouta. Source: Syrian Civil War Map

Daraa:

Free Syrian Army’s vehicle was destroyed on the road between Al-Mal and Kafr Nasij, with several reports suggesting that the vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device, while other reports indicate that the vehicle was destroyed by an anti-tank guided missile launched by the Syrian Arab Army. The explosion of the vehicle killed three and wounded three elements of the Free Syrian Army’s Al-Wiyat al-Furqan.

Iraq

Kirkuk:

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that the group’s improvised explosive device destroyed Iraqi Army’s vehicle in Daquq area.

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces conducted operations in Al-Ubaid, Al-Farhoud, Al-Hawra, and Albu Hawsa areas, in the vicinity of Baghdad. Security forces found 45 left over Islamic State’s improvised explosive devices, three PK machine guns, and three Katyusha rockets.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed two and wounded three elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in Pashtun Kot district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Al-Emarah News reported that the group overran a military base in Yaka Toth area of Pashtun Kot district, while the clashes are continuing in the area around two checkpoints, which are besieged by the group.

Four elements of the Afghan Local Police surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Gorzah and Jar Kala areas.

Kunduz Province:

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

Baghlan Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan Local Police’s positions in Puli Khumri district, reportedly killing eight and wounding two elements of the local police. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized three assault rifles, a PK machine gun, and large quantities of ammunition from the encounter.

Nangarhar Province:

Islamic State killed an element of the Afghan Local Police, during the clashes between the two sides in Bandar area of 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:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device killed one and wounded one element of the Afghan National Army in Saydabad district.

Farah Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed three and wounded six elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Bala Buluk district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran two Afghan National Army’s posts in Deh Yak area of the city of Farah, reportedly killing 15 soldiers during the clashes for the posts, while forcing the remaining soldiers to withdraw from the area. One element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was killed and two wounded in the encounter. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized two PK machine guns, two RPG launchers, and five assault rifles from the posts.

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

Urozgan Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed three and wounded three elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Chora district.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed four elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed a fighting position in Nad Ali district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported raids on two Afghan National Security Forces’ posts in Shin Gul Charrahi and Nissar Ahmad Charrahi areas of Nad Ali district, reportedly killing 13 elements.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan conducted a suicide attack against the Afghan National Army’s military base in Parchaw area of Nad Ali district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan stated that dozens of Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police’s elements were killed in the attack, including two commanders; Haji Lala and Bari, as well as more than 15 vehicles and armored personnel carriers destroyed. The aforementioned base was reportedly completely destroyed by the attack.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Police’s vehicle in Bazar area of the city of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand Province. The explosion reportedly killed Helmand Provincial Council’s member, Muhammad Jan, as well as Afghan National Police’s commander Mamak and another element of the police. Separately, Afghan National Army’s armored personnel carrier was destroyed by an improvised explosive device in Yakchal area of Nahri Saraj district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s snipers killed three elements of the Afghan National Police in Nari Pul area of Nad Ali district.

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

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:

Egypt:

Islamic State’s improvised explosive device reportedly destroyed Egyptian Army’s mine-resistant ambush protected Cougar vehicle south of Al-Arish.

Other:

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