Hello and welcome to the 341st 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 six 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 Hajikanli al-Fawqani, Al-Darwisha, Al-Tahtani and three hills in Rajo subdistrict. Free Syrian Army’s Firqat al-Hamza captured an element of the Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPJ during the battles for Hajikanli al-Fawqani. The captured element was identified as 16 year old Fatima al-Aboud.

Situation in Afrin region. Source: Global Event Map

Al-Hasakah:

VBIED exploded in the western part of the city of Al-Qamishli, which is under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces. According to the reports, four civilians were killed by the explosion.

Idlib:

Unknown gunmen kidnapped head of the Red Crescent in Idlib governorate, Mohammad Wati on the road between Ariha and Al-Mastouma. Wati was kidnapped as he was returning from Latakia governorate to the city of Salqin. The organization notified Syrian Salvation Government about the incident, which opened an investigation.

Ahrar al-Sham and Harakat Nour al-Deen al-Zenki merged and formed Jabhat Tahrir Suriya. Both groups were attacked by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the past and the merger comes amidst rumors that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is preparing to launch an attack on Harakt Nour al-Deen al-Zenki’s positions in western Aleppo, after the latter’s elements killed Abu Ayman al-Masri two days ago.

Homs:

Syrian Arab Army’s elements stationed at Al-Ghour checkpoint engaged Ahrar al-Sham’s elements present in Samalil village in the Northern Homs pocket. Reports suggest that two elements of Ahrar al-Sham were killed in the encounter.

Deir al-Zour:

Abu Amara Special Task Brigade reported that its improvised explosive device killed Syrian Arab Army’s head of the military security branch in Deir al-Zour governorate, Brigadier General Jamal Razouq and his deputy, Colonel Muayid Maain on the road near Al-Sukhnah. The attack was confirmed by the brigade’s commander, Muhanna Jafala (Abu Bakri). However, several sources suggest that the aforementioned figures were killed in a traffic accident while on their way from Deir al-Zour to Damascus governorate.

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery and Syrian Arab Air Force targeted Mesraba, Al-Ashaari, Al-Shifuniyah, and Ain Terma in the East Ghouta. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), four civilians were killed and several wounded by the targeting of Al-Ashaari and Al-Shifuniyah.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham killed three elements of the Islamic State, during the clashes between the two in Al-Mashrue neighborhood of Al-Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus.

Situation in the East Ghouta, as Syrian Arab Army prepares for an offensive in the region. Source: Peto Lucem

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Afghan National Security Forces wounded two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in Kohistan district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Army’s vehicle in Arkalik area of Qaysar district.

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

Parwan Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed and killed an element of the ‘National Directorate of Security’ in the city of Charikar, capital of Parwan Province.

Kabul Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device targeted Afghan National Army’s foot patrol and killed two soldiers in Mussahi district.

Nangarhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 11 elements of the Islamic State and destroyed two weapons depots and ammunition caches in 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:

Afghan National Security Forces killed four and wounded two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed a motorcycle in Jalrez district.

Two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and eight drug smugglers escaped from a prison in the province.

Paktia Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed four elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed a vehicle and several weapons depots and ammunition caches in Zurmat district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that it attacked Afghan National Police’s checkpoint in Zurmat district, killing one and wounding one policeman.

Khost Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed and killed two elements of the Afghan National Army in Sabari district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed National Directorate of Security’s vehicle in the city of Khost, wounding four elements of the organization.

Herat Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed four elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and arrested 22 individuals suspected of belonging to the group in Shindand district.

Daykundi Province:

Afghan Local Police’s element surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Pato Kili area of Gizab district.

Ghazni Province:

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

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper killed an element of the Afghan National Police in Deh Yak district.

Farah Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 19 and wounded 23 elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Bala Buluk district, according to the Afghan Ministry of Defense.

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

Urozgan Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 13 elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed five motorcycles and several weapons depots and ammunition caches in Chora district.

Zabul Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper killed two elements of the Afghan National Army in Gagari area of the city of Qalat, capital of Zabul Province.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted large-scale operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Marjah, Nawa-I-Barakzayi, Musa Qala, and Kajaki districts. According to the Afghan Ministry of Defense, 56 elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan were killed and six wounded in the operations. Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed 20 drug factories, an IED factory, two camps, one vehicle, two motorcycles, 180 improvised explosive devices, and over a ton of drugs.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that its “martyrdom squad” engaged Afghan National Security Forces in Norozo and Shawal areas of Nad Ali district, killing and wounding more than 27 elements and destroying two armored personnel carriers in the encounter. One element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was also killed in the clashes.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran Afghan National Army’s checkpoint in Yakchal area of Nahri Saraj district, killing four soldiers and forcing remaining elements to retreat from the checkpoint. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized a PK machine gun, an RPG launcher, and two assault rifles from the checkpoint.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper killed three elements of the Afghan Local Police in Tangano Gudar area of Nawa-I-Barakzayi district.

Two elements of the Afghan National Police surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Garmsir district.

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

Kandahar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 17 elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed two vehicles and six motorcycles in Maywand 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:

Egypt:

Islamic State’s sniper killed two elements of the Egyptian Army west of Al-Arish.

Yemen:

Islamic State’s improvised explosive device destroyed Ansar Allah (Houthis) vehicle and killed five elements of the group in the city of Ibb, Al-Shaar directorate.

Other:

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