Hello and welcome to the 348th 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 captured nine 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 Samalek, Sheikh Muhamadali, Bilkali, Kunda Dudu, Bandarlik, Maydan Akbis, Kusanli, Amranli, and Al-Musharifah in the northern Afrin. After today’s advances, the Free Syrian Army connected its Bulbul-held areas with Rajo-held areas and opened the road between the two subdistricts.

Turkish Armed Forces announced death of one of its elements due to an engagement with the Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPG in Afrin region. This announcement brings Turkish Armed Forces death toll in the operation ‘Olive Branch’ to 33 elements.

The official map of Afrin region by the operation ‘Olive Branch’. Source: Operation Olive Branch

Idlib:

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s elements dismantled an improvised explosive device on the road between Khan Sheikhoun (Shaykhun) and Al-Tamaneh.

Deir al-Zour:

CJTF-OIR reportedly conducted air raids over a camp for internally displaced persons in Zahra al-Alwani area, between Al-Soussa and Al-Shaafa in the eastern Deir al-Zour. According to the reports, ten civilians were killed and several wounded by the air raids.

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery, Syrian Arab Air Force, and Russian Air Force targeted Douma, Hawsh al-Dawahirah, Al-Nashabiyah, Saqba, Hawsh al-Salihiyah, Mesraba, Hammouriyah, Beit Sawa, Al-Shifuniyah, Jobar, and Harasta in the East Ghouta. According to the reports, 24 civilians were killed and dozens wounded by the targeting of the aforementioned localities.

Rebel forces in the East Ghouta shelled Harasta, Al-Wafideen camp, and Bab Touma and Al-Abbasiyin areas of the city of Damascus. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, several civilians were wounded by the shelling of the aforementioned localities.

Syrian Arab Army, backed by Syrian Republican Guard started the anticipated offensive in the East Ghouta against rebels. The offensive started with attacks on Harasta and Jobar fronts in the western part of the East Ghouta, and with attacks on Hawsh al-Dawahirah and Al-Nashabiyah fronts in the eastern part of the Ghouta. Syrian Arab Army made limited advances in Al-Ajami neighborhood of Harasta, while big advances were reported on the eastern fronts. Syrian Arab Army reportedly captured Hawsh al-Salihiyah, Hazrama, Al-Zariqiyah and Tell Ferzan from Jaysh al-Islam. However, Jaysh al-Islam’s spokesman, Hamza Birqdar stated that the group repelled all of the Syrian Arab Army’s attacks in the eastern part of the Ghouta.

Jaysh al-Islam stated that 25 elements of the Syrian Arab Army were killed in the clashes, which occurred on Hawsh al-Dawahira front in the eastern part of the East Ghouta. The group also released footage showing two captured Syrian Arab Army’s elements. Similarly, Syrian Arab Army showed footage of two captured Jaysh al-Islam’s elements. Jaysh al-Islam reportedly destroyed Syrian Arab Army’s T-72 tank and MT-55 armored vehicle-launched bridge, as well as showed footage of a captured T-72 Adra tank. Jaysh al-Islam’s spokesman, Hamza Birqdar claimed that more than 70 elements of the Syrian Arab Army were killed and 14 captured during today’s clashes in the East Ghouta.

Commander of the Syrian Arab Army’s Tiger Forces, Ahmed al-Nabhan was killed in today’s clashes with the rebels in the East Ghouta.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham clashed with the Islamic State in Al-Mashrue neighborhood of Al-Yarmouk camp, as the latter tried to advance against the former in the area. Reports suggest that six elements of the Islamic State were trapped and killed in the clashes.

Approximate situation in the East Ghouta, showing reported Syrian Arab Army’s advances. Source: Emmanuel

Daraa:

Free Syrian Army’s Tajammu al-Wiyat al-Omari reported a raid against the Syrian Arab Army at the outskirts of Al-Liwa 12 (12th Brigade) and Izra. According to the group, several elements of the Syrian Arab Army were killed in the raid.

Islamic State-affiliated Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid reopened schools in Tasil, southwestern Daraa. The schools were reopened after the teachers were forced to attend sessions by the Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid’s elements.

Iraq

Kirkuk:

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi’s (Popular Mobilization Forces) Asaib Ahl al-Haq foiled an Islamic State’s suicide attack on its checkpoint in the city of Kirkuk. Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s elements opened fire on the attacker and forced him to prematurely detonate.

Islamic State raided positions of Al-Hashd al-Shaabi in Albu Mohammed village of Daquq subdistrict. According to the Amaq Agency, one vehicle was destroyed and several elements of Al-Hashd al-Shaabi killed and wounded in the raid.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported assassination of two elements of the Iraqi Federal Police in the village of Al-Kathahia.

Anbar:

Islamic State’s improvised explosive device reportedly killed Iraqi Army’s captain and another element in Al-Hamira area, southeast of Al-Ramadi.

Afghanistan

Kunduz Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (Taliban) improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Army’s tank in the city of Kunduz.

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

Baghlan Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device targeted vehicle of the Afghan Local Police in Puli Khumri district, wounding three policemen.

Kunar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Army’s elements in Chapa Dara district, killing one and wounding one soldier.

Kabul Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assassinated former senator, Rafiullah Gul Afghan in the 17th Police District area of the city of Kabul.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that 45 elements of the ‘National Directorate of Security’ were killed in the yesterday’s suicide attack in the city of Kabul.

Nangarhar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan Local Police’s post in Bati Kot district, killing three and wounding two elements of the police.

Islamic State killed eight elements of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Islam (Army of Islam), during the clashes between the two in Miloh area of Nazyan 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

Ghazni Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Army’s posts in Giro district, reportedly killing seven soldiers. One element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was killed and two wounded in the encounter.

Paktika Province:

Improvised explosive device exploded in Yahya Kheil district, reportedly killing three and wounding 12 civilians.

Farah Province:

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

Helmand Province:

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:

Other:

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