Hello and welcome to the 306th installment of the SWD .

Military events/news are listed below by the governorates:

Aleppo:

Syrian Arab Army started entering the localities in the newly-created rebel pocket in the southwestern Aleppo. Syrian Arab Army entered Buwaydah Kabirah, Buwaydah Saghirah, Namaniyah, Mushayrifah Buwaydatain, Wajid, Rasm al-Qarqour, Rasm al-Bisas, Rubayat, Al-Baqat, Istiblat, and Maqtal al-Zaydi. Reports suggest that the Syrian Arab Army entered all of the localities in the pocket, which were evacuated by the rebel forces before the creation of the pocket.

Harakat Nour al-Deen al-Zenki and Syrian Arab Army exchanged prisoners in Mansoura, west of Aleppo. Harakat Nour al-Deen al-Zenki handed over Syrian Arab Army’s element from Al-Zahraa, who was captured in the battles for Sayfat, more than a year ago. Syrian Arab Army handed over the leader of the Free Syrian Army’s Liwa al-Tawhid (no longer operational), who was captured in the battles for Ratyan.

Media office team in TFSA -held Azaz came under the shelling of the Syrian Democratic Forces, during a photo tour west of Azaz. Syrian Civil Defense’s (The White Helmets) spokesman in northern Aleppo, Nayef al-Aboud stated that the shelling came from Syrian Democratic Forces-held Al-Qadi area and didn’t cause any injuries.

Turkish Army’s artillery stationed in Turkey’s Hatay province, near the Turkish-Syrian border, heavily targeted Syrian Democratic Forces-held areas around the city of Afrin. The artillery targeted the villages of Basufan, Jandiris, Raju, and Maskanli.

Local clans/tribes in the city of Manbij conducted a general strike in the city against the Syrian Democratic Forces. Majority of the shops were reportedly closed in the city. The strike was ordered on the 12th of January, when two members from the Arab Popna tribe were found dead in the village of Qabr Imo, east of Manbij. Popna tribe accused Syrian Democratic Forces of torturing and killing the two civilians. According to the reports, counter-demonstrations were also held in the city of Manbij, in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Approximate situation in the southwestern Aleppo. Source: Emmanuel

Idlib:

Rebel factions captured disputed Al-Khuwain and Tell Maraq, as well as over a dozen of localities from the Syrian Arab Army in the southern Idlib. After several days of raiding the localities on the front line, the rebel factions launched a large organized attack, capturing Al-Khuraybah, Rubayah, Atshan, Umm al-Khalakhil, Mushayrifah Shamaliyah, Jadaniyah, Abu Omar, Suruj, Istablat, Rasm al-Ward, Sham Hawa, and Luwaybidah.

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

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported Islamic State’s attack against the Syrian Arab Army, south of Abu al-Duhur airbase. According to the agency, ten Syrian Arab Army’s elements were killed and ten captured in the attack, as well as one vehicle seized.

Improvised explosive device targeted the vehicle of Faylaq al-Sham’s commander Saleh Yousef Ajini, on the road between Ariha and Al-Mastouma. Saleh Yousef Ajini was killed in the explosion.

Approximate situation in the southern Idlib, showing rebel advances. HD version of this map can be found here. Source: Step News Agency

Hama:

Syrian Arab Army reportedly captured Tafahah and Tell Mutilat from the Islamic State in the northern Hama. Yesterday’s reports about the Syrian Arab Army capturing Abu Kahf from the Islamic State were false.

Situation in the northern Hama, showing Syrian Arab Army’s advances against the Islamic State (circled localities are considered under fire control). Source: Suriyak

Deir al-Zour:

Syrian Democratic Forces continue to clash with the Islamic State in and around Gharanij, Al-Baqan, and Al-Baghouz in the eastern Deir al-Zour. Islamic State’s Amaq Agency claimed that the Islamic State launched a counterattack east of Al-Baqan village, killing two and wounding three Syrian Democratic Forces’ elements.

Islamic State reportedly launched two anti-tank guided missiles against the Syrian Democratic Forces in Gharanij and east of Al-Baghouz. According to the Amaq Agency, ten Syrian Democratic Forces’ elements were killed and wounded by the ATGM in Gharanij, while seven Syrian Democratic Forces’ elements were claimed as killed by the other ATGM east of Al-Baghouz.

Syrian Arab Army’s elements were reportedly ambushed by the Islamic State near the village of Maizila, west of Albu Kamal (Al-Bukamal). According to the Amaq Agency, five Syrian Arab Army’s elements were killed and another five wounded in the ambush.

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery and Syrian Arab Air Force targeted Hammouriyah, Al-Nashabiyah, Hazrama, Awtaya, and Harasta in the East Ghouta. According to the reports, one civilian was killed in the air raids over Hammouriyah, and one in Al-Nashabiyah due to the shelling.

Rebel forces in the East Ghouta shelled Al-Abbasiyin and Al-Qasaa neighborhoods of Damacus city, causing material damage in the neighborhoods.

Faylaq al-Rahman allegedly cut off the Syrian Arab Army’s supply route towards the ‘Army Armored Vehicle Base’ in Harasta, which the latter opened on the 7th of January. Reports claimed that Faylaq al-Rahman advanced from Arbeen and captured several buildings overlooking the grain mills, giving them fire control over the Syrian Arab Army’s supply route. Faylaq al-Rahman also allegedly captured a group of Syrian Arab Army’s soldiers during the advance and killed one soldier who refused to surrender. These advances were not confirmed so far, so they should be taken with a grain of salt.

Islamic State launched an attack against the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus city. Islamic State was reportedly able to capture several buildings in the camp, including the building of the “Palestine Charity” and Abdul Qadir al-Husseini mosque. Several elements of the Islamic State were allegedly killed by an RPG, while Amaq Agency claimed that five Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s elements were killed and three captured in the attack. Other reports suggest that two Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s fighters were killed in the attack. It is unclear at the moment if Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is backed by other notable groups in Yarmouk camp, such as; Abna al-Yarmouk, Kataib Aknaf Bait al-Maqdis, Liwa Duha al-Islam, and Jaysh al-Ababil.

Islamic State’s sniper killed an element of Jaysh al-Islam in Al-Zayn neighborhood south of Damascus, according to the Amaq Agency.

Daraa:

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 at the outskirts of Al-Naimah.

Iraq

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces foiled a suicide attack near Aden square in Al-Kadhimiya neighborhood, northern Baghdad. The attacker was heading from Sanaa square towards a holy site in Al-Kadhimiya, when he was spotted by the security forces. The attacker was forced to prematurely detonated himself. The explosion wounded a number of civilians, an element of the Iraqi Federal Police, and two elements of the traffic police. Three civilian vehicles were also damaged in the explosion.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (Taliban) snipers killed four and wounded one element of the Afghan Local Police in Gaday Kala area of Pashtun Kot district. Similarly, two elements of the Afghan National Army were killed by Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper in Yaka Thoth area of Pashtun Kot district.

Afghan National Army’s element surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Chichakto area of Qaysar district.

Balkh Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan clashed with the Afghan Local Police in Charbolak district. One element of the Afghan Local Police was killed in the clashes.

Afghan Local Police’s element surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with his weapon in Chimtal district.

Nangarhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed nine elements of the Islamic State and destroyed a base in Achin district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device killed one and wounded four elements of the Afghan National Army in Lal Pur 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 two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and arrested 15 individuals suspected of belonging to the group in Saydabad district.

Paktia Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted large-scale operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, killing 16 and wounding 19 elements of the group in Zurmat and Sayid Karam districts.

Khost Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Army’s tank in Qalandar district, causing casualties among the seven elements on board.

Badghis Province:

Residents of 19 villages in Jalaie area of Jawand district, led by Commander Najibullah, pledged their allegiance to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device targeted Afghan National Army’s foot patrol in Sar Band area of Ab Kamari district. The explosion killed Afghan National Army’s commander Faiz Muhammad and another element, as well as wounded three elements.

Two elements of the Afghan National Army were killed and one wounded, during the clashes with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Mir Hamzo area of Muqur district.

Herat Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted large-scale operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Kushk district, killing 19 and wounding 16 elements of the group. Furthermore, 10 motorcycles were also destroyed in the operations.

Ghazni Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Army’s elements in the city of Ghazni, which resulted in clashes between the two sides. Two elements of the Afghan National Army were wounded in the encounter.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assassinated an element of the Afghan National Police in Muqur district.

Farah Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Police’s checkpoint in the 2nd Police District of the city of Farah. The raid killed Afghan National Police’s commander Abdul Wahid and three other elements, as well as wounded two elements. Remaining Afghan National Police’s elements withdrew from the checkpoint. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized four motorcycles and a PK machine gun from the checkpoint.

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 six fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Khas Urozgan district.

Zabul Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed two fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Mizan district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan killed Afghan National Army’s commander Sar Baz during the clashes in Mizan district.

Afghan National Army’s Balo Dad checkpoint in Surkh Sang area was targeted by two Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive devices. The explosions reportedly killed four soldiers.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device targeted Afghan National Army’s armored personnel carrier in Sheno Tato area of Arghandab district, killing three soldiers.

Two elements of the Afghan National Army were wounded when the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided a checkpoint in Daychopan district.

Nimruz Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Security Forces’ logistical convoy in the center of Delaram district, destroying five fuel tankers.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed eight, wounded three, and captured two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Nad Ali and Jerash districts.

Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, backed by the Afghan Air Force, launched an attack against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Kharko area of Garmsir district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan claimed that they destroyed two armored personnel carriers in the clashes.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s snipers killed two Afghan National Army’s soldiers in Yakchal area of Nahri Saraj district. Similarly, Afghan National Army’s element was killed and another wounded by Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper in Seydano area of Nahri Saraj district.

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

Kandahar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan shelled Afghan National Army’s foot patrol in Seyah Sang Dara area of Khakrez district, killing and wounding four soldiers.

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:

Somalia:

Islamic State’s fighters assassinated a member of the National Intelligence and Security Agency in Afgooye, Lower Shebelle province.

Other:

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