Hello and welcome to the 305th installment of the SWD .

Military events/news are listed below by the governorates:

Aleppo:

Syrian Arab Army made huge advances against the rebel forces in the southwestern Aleppo countryside on two axis and captured over a dozen of localities. Syrian Arab Army’s units south of Al-Safira captured Abu Ghathd, Jubb Jasem, Sarj Fari, Khirbet al-Majir, Samiriyah, Al-Hajib, Basalah, Kafr Hawt, Qanatrat, and Suwwayan.

Syrian Arab Army’s units west of Khanaser captured Tell Ahmar, Mazarat, Tell al-Sheikh, Qalat al-Sheikh, Umm Amud, Al-Handawat, Maktabat, Tell al-Damman, Ibayd, Tell Hawasid, and Shawihat Lahab. Syrian Arab Army also captured the Jabal Arbaen – Tell al-Damman – Khanaser road and created a large rebel pocket. The newly-created pocket was reportedly evacuated by the rebel forces and Syrian Arab Army is expected to enter the localities in it without any confrontations.

Syrian Democratic Forces’ sleeper cells in TFSA -held areas of northern Aleppo attempted to assassinate Jamil Said, leader of Katibat Mukafahat al-Aeumla, which operates in TFSA -held areas. Reports suggested that Said was killed in the attack, however, he is currently being treated in a hospital in Turkey.

Syrian Interim Government released a statement announcing the opening of Abu al-Zindeen crossing between TFSA -held areas of northern Aleppo and SAA -held city of Aleppo. Abu al-Zindeen crossing is located in Al-Shamawiya area west of Al-Bab and is free for both the commercial and civilian vehicles. Syrian Interim Government also stated that it closed all other crossing points in northern and eastern Aleppo.

Tensions continue in the city of Manbij for the second day between the local clans and Syrian Democratic Forces. Local clans reportedly had a meeting and agreed upon several decisions that they demand to see implemented in the city of Manbij. Several members of the clan blocked the road between Hassan Agha and Abu Qalqil villages with tires.

Approximate situation in southwestern Aleppo – southern Idlib area. Source: Emmanuel

Idlib:

Syrian Arab Army recaptured two villages from the rebels in the southern Idlib that were disputed yesterday; Al-Khuraybah and Rubayah. However, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Ibaa News Agency reported that rebels captured Rubayah again, as well as captured Al-Dabashiyah, Taleb, Al-Khuwain and Tell Maraq from the Syrian Arab Army. The aforementioned localities should be considered as disputed, since the front line is fluid due to the rebel forces conducting raids and withdrawing from the localities several hours later.

Jund al-Malahim’s commander, Ammar Abu Qusoura was killed in the clashes with the Syrian Arab Army in the southern Idlib.

Islamic State killed five elements of the Syrian Arab Army and captured another element during the clashes between the two east of Abu al-Duhur airbase, according to the Amaq Agency.

Two improvised explosive devices targeted Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s vehicle near the law school in the city of Idlib. The explosion killed two and wounded three elements of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Hama:

Syrian Arab Army reportedly captured Abu Kahf and Al-Sukari villages from the Islamic State in the northern Hama. Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported destruction of Syrian Arab Army’s tank with an anti-tank guided missile near the village of Abu Kahf.

Deir al-Zour:

Syrian Democratic Forces clashed with the Islamic State in the vicinity of the city of Hajin in the eastern Deir al-Zour. According to the reports, 17 fighters of the Islamic State were killed in the clashes between the two sides.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported destruction of Syrian Democratic Forces’ Humvee with an anti-tank guided missile, east of Al-Baqan village. According to the agency, five elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces were also killed in the explosion.

Approximate situation in the eastern Deir al-Zour. Source: Emmanuel

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery and Syrian Arab Air Force targeted Douma, Arbeen, and Harasta in the East Ghouta. Reports suggest that the targeting of Douma killed two and wounded several civilians.

Jaysh al-Islam reportedly made limited advances against the Islamic State in Al-Zayn neighborhood, after the latter captured several buildings in yesterday’s attack. Jaysh al-Islam’s spokesman Hamza Birqdar stated that 25 fighters of the Islamic State were killed in the clashes with Jaysh al-Islam in Al-Zayn neighborhood.

Rebel factions in Beit Jinn pocket completely withdrew from Sheikh Abdullah shrine, which is significant to the Druze community. Syrian Arab Army entered the shrine, as a part of the evacuation/reconciliation agreement between the two parties.

Daraa:

Improvised explosive device targeted the vehicle of Hezbollah at the group’s checkpoint in the vicinity of Free Syrian Army-held Karim al-Janoubi village in Lajat region. The explosion allegedly killed five and wounded seven elements of Hezbollah.

Rebel “Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office” reported death of a Free Syrian Army’s fighter, due to wounds sustained in clashes with the Syrian Arab Army in Al-Manashiyah district of Daraa city.

Iraq

Salah al-Deen:

Islamic State’s improvised explosive device destroyed Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) vehicle and killed three elements in Al-Ith area east of Tikrit, according to the Amaq Agency.

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces conducted operations in Al-Halabasa and Albu Easaf areas, in the vicinity of Baghdad. Security forces found and safely detonated eight left over Islamic State’s improvised explosive devices, as well as arrested several wanted individuals.

Iraqi Security Forces conducted a raid in Al-Shaab area of Al-Bastateen neighborhood in the northern Baghdad, seizing a number of weapons and other equipment.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed six and wounded five fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in Ghormach and Pashtun Kot districts.

Kunduz Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed four and wounded seven elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Archi (Dasht-e Archi) district.

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

Laghman Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device targeted Afghan National Army’s tank in Alishang district, killing a commander and two soldiers.

Nangarhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces arrested three elements of the Islamic State and three elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan during the operations in the province. Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed a vehicle, a motorcycle, and several weapons depots and ammunition caches.

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:

Afghan National Security Forces killed seven and wounded four elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Zurmat district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Army’s checkpoint in the city of Gardez, capital of the Paktia Province. Three elements of the Afghan National Army were reportedly killed in the attack.

Khost Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Army’s elements in Sabri district. The ambush reportedly killed five soldiers and wounded several more.

Herat Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Army’s pickup in Tangi area of Kushki Kuhna district, killing and wounding eight soldiers.

Two elements of the Afghan National Police and an element of the Afghan National Army surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Kala Burj area of Gulran district.

Ghazni Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran Afghan Local Police’s checkpoint in Gelan district, killing one and wounding two elements of the local police.

Farah Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan simultaneously raided six Afghan National Police’s checkpoints around Bazar area of Farah district, overrunning one checkpoint and killing eight elements of the Afghan National Police in the process. Furthermore, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan destroyed a vehicle and seized an RPG launcher and three assault rifles.

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

Urozgan Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed an ammunition cache in Shah Mansour area of the city of Tarinkot, capital of Urozgan Province.

Zabul Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed one and arrested two fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Shah Joy and Qalat districts.

Helmand Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran Afghan National Police’s checkpoint on the road towards the center of Nawa-I-Barakzayi district. Five elements of the Afghan National Police were killed in the clashes, while the remaining elements withdrew from the area. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized two assault rifles, a light machine gun, and various ammunition from the checkpoint. Similarly, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan captured Afghan National Police’s checkpoint in Dago area of Jerash district, killing six policemen and seizing three assault rifles and an RPG launcher.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Army’s checkpoint in Parchaw area of Jerash district, destroying the checkpoint’s tower and killing six soldiers.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s snipers reportedly killed five and wounded two elements of the Afghan National Security Forces in Turabi Hotel area of Jerash district.

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

Kandahar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran Afghan National Army’s checkpoint in Kikak area of Ghorak district, killing 11 soldiers and forcing others to retreat from the checkpoint. One element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was killed in the clashes. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized an armored personnel carrier, two PK machine guns, and two assault rifles from the checkpoint.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Army’s checkpoint in Malid area of Spin Boldak district, killing five elements, including the commander Ghat Mama and wounding another four elements. Furthermore, an armored personnel carrier and a pickup were destroyed in the raid.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s element infiltrated Afghan Local Police’s checkpoint in Askha Abad area of Maywand district and opened fire on the elements present at the checkpoint. The infiltrator killed three elements of the Afghan Local Police and seized a motorcycle, an RPG launcher, a PK machine gun, and six assault rifles before joining the nearby Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s elements.

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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