Hello and welcome to the 372nd 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 two 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 Kaymar and Birad villages south of Afrin. Reports suggest that the National Defense Forces stationed around Nubl and Zahraa shelled the Free Syrian Army in the newly-captured villages.

Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPG destroyed a vehicle of the Free Syrian Army with an anti-tank guided missile in Bulbul subdistrict.

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

Raqqa:

Syrian Democratic Forces released 15 individuals accused of belonging to the Islamic State in the city of Raqqa. The release was agreed upon with the elders and sheiks of the city of Raqqa. The prisoners were released on the occasions of Mother’s Day and Nowruz (New Year), after it was determined that the individuals were “tricked” by the Islamic State in joining the group and didn’t commit murder.

Left over Islamic State’s improvised explosive device killed a civilian near Al-Sawamie roundabout in the northern part of Raqqa city.

Idlib:

Russian Air Force conducted air raids over Al-Tamaneh, Kafr Battikh, and Khan Shaykhoun in Idlib governorate. According to the reports, the air raids over Kafr Battikh targeted a cave at the outskirts of the locality, which was used as a shelter by a group of civilians. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), 22 civilians were killed by the targeting of Kafr Battikh.

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery and Syrian Arab Air Force targeted Douma, Ain Terma, and Harasta in the East Ghouta. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), eight civilians were killed by the targeting of Ain Terma, while one civilian was killed by the targeting of Harasta. Syrian Civil Defense also stated that three of its elements were killed by the targeting of Douma.

Syrian Arab Army made limited advances against Faylaq al-Rahman in Ain Terma and Hazeh in the East Ghouta.

Ahrar al-Sham’s spokesman in the East Ghouta, Munther Fares stated that the group reached an agreement with the Syrian Arab Army, regarding Ahrar al-Sham’s evacuation from Harasta to Idlib. The evacuation of Ahrar al-Sham’s elements and their families is expected to start in the morning.

Islamic State executed a commander of the Palestinian People’s Party’s armed wing, Nidal Darwish in Al-Qadam neighborhood, south of Damascus. Darwish was captured by the Islamic State in the aforementioned neighborhood, while fighting with his militia on the Syrian Arab Army’s side.

Approximate situation in the East Ghouta. Source: Global Event Map

Iraq

Kirkuk:

Islamic State ambushed Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) in the village of Al-Halawat, southwest of Kirkuk. According to the Islamic State’s Amaq Agency, five elements of Al-Hashd al-Shaabi were killed in the ambush.

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces conducted operations in Karatan Albu Abbas area, south of Baghdad. Security forces found and seized an improvised explosive device and 11 various mortar shells.

Afghanistan

Takhar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (Taliban) sniper killed an element of the Afghan Local Police in Chah Ab district.

Kunduz Province:

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

Kapisa Province:

Afghan National Security Forces’ offensive in Koh Band district was repelled by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Reports suggest that four elements of the Afghan National Security Forces were killed and three wounded in the failed offensive.

Kabul Province:

Islamic State’s suicide attacker targeted civilians in the western Kabul celebrating Nowruz (New Year). Islamic State’s Amaq Agency claimed responsibility for the attack by saying that the attacker targeted a gathering of “Shiites” celebrating Nowruz. The attack killed at least 29 and wounded over 50 civilians.

Several Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive devices targeted Afghan National Police’s vehicle in Qarabagh district, reportedly killing four and wounding several elements.

Nangarhar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Police’s headquarters in Sherzad district, reportedly killing one and wounding one policeman. Separately, two elements of the Afghan National Army were killed and three wounded during an encounter with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Achin district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device killed two and wounded one element of the Afghan Local Police in Surkh Rod district. Similarly, Afghan National Police’s vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device in Pachir Aw Agam district.

Afghan Local Police’s element surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Hisarak 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

Paktia Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Army’s foot patrol in the city of Gardez, capital of Paktia Province. Three elements of the Afghan National Army were reportedly killed and five wounded in the ambush.

Herat Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed and killed Afghan National Army’s commander, Fazullah in Shidaie area of the city of Herat.

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

Kandahar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Army’s armored personnel carrier near Safari Qaragah area of Arghandab district.

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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