Hello and welcome to the 316th 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 continued to clash with the Syrian Democratic Forces’ Yekîneyên Parastina Gel (People’s Protection Units) in Afrin region, as a part of the operation ‘Olive Branch’ (AR: Ghasin al-Zaytun, TR: Zeytin Dalı). According to the reports, Free Syrian Army reportedly captured Mamelan, Khalil Kulku, Omeran and Iza villages in Afrin district. However, these reports should be taken with a grain of salt, until officially confirmed.

Turkish Armed Forces conducted strikes over 47 targets in Afrin region. The strikes were conducted by 27 Turkish Air Force’s warplanes. According to the reports, two civilians were killed and two wounded by airstrikes over Jindires. Turkish Armed Forces also stated that at least 287 elements of Yekîneyên Parastina Gel were “neutralized” since the start of the operation ‘Olive Branch’.

Syrian Democratic Forces’ Yekîneyên Parastina Gel shelled city of Kilis in Turkey’s Kilis Province fourth day in a row. One civilian was reportedly killed and at least 13 wounded by the shelling of Kilis.

Syrian Democratic Forces’ Yekîneyên Parastina Gel targeted Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army-held village of Abla in Al-Bab region from their positions at Tell Jayjan. According to the reports, one element of Faylaq al-Sham was killed and two wounded by the targeting of Abla, as well as three civilians wounded.

Turkish Armed Forces’ convoy entered Syria through Kafr Lusin and visited Al-Eis in the southern Aleppo, on the front line between rebel factions and Syrian Arab Army & allies. The convoy, which consisted of six vehicles, reportedly visited Al-Eis in order to inspect the area for the possible establishment of observation points. After visiting Al-Eis, the convoy headed to Khan Sheikhun (Shaykhun) in Idlib governorate. Syrian Arab Army’s artillery shelled Al-Eis after the Turkish Armed Forces’ convoy left the area.

Situation in Afrin region, according to the ‘Olive Branch’ operations room. (light blue = captured by Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army)

Idlib:

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that the group conducted an attack against the Syrian Arab Army east of Sinjar in the southern Idlib. Agency stated that five soldiers of the Syrian Arab Army were killed and two captured in the attack.

Deir al-Zour:

Syrian Democratic Forces reportedly captured the city of Gharanij from the Islamic State in the eastern Deir al-Zour. However, the capture of the locality should be taken with a grain of salt, until officially announced by the Syrian Democratic Forces’ channels.

Two Islamic State’s improvised explosive devices destroyed Syrian Democratic Forces’ Humvee and another vehicle carrying elements east of Al-Shaafa village, according to the Amaq Agency. Similarly, Islamic State’s Amaq Agency stated that an improvised explosive device killed three and wounded one element of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Soussa area, east of the village of Al-Baghouz.

Approximate situation around Gharanij, showing the locality under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces. Source: Syrian Civil War Map

Iraq

Salah al-Deen:

Islamic State’s snipers reportedly killed four and wounded five elements of the Iraqi Army in Al-Tarmiyah, according to the Amaq Agency.

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces conducted operations in Al-Khuwalid, Al-Rakoub, Kazim Adab, and Al-Meamir areas, in the vicinity of Baghdad. Security forces seized four Katyusha rockets and ten RPG launchers and mortar rounds. Iraqi Army’s 6th Division discovered and safely detonated 44 improvised explosive devices in Al-Meamir area. Several wanted individuals were arrested in the operations.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) launched an attack against the Afghan Local Police in Shah Tapeh and Uttash Qalah areas of Shirin Tagab district. Two elements of the Afghan Local Police were killed in the attack, while the remaining elements withdrew from the two areas. After the withdrawal, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan completely captured both areas.

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

Kunduz Province:

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

Sar-e Pol Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Sayyad district, killing 15 and wounding ten elements of the group. Furthermore, Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed several weapons depots and ammunition caches during the operations.

Baghlan Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan engaged Afghan National Army’s elements in Khala Zai Dand Shahab al-Deen area of Pul-e Khomri district. According to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, 11 elements of the Afghan National Army were killed and one tank destroyed in the encounter. One element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was also reportedly wounded.

Kunar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces wounded three local commanders of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Chapa Dara district. The commanders were identified as Zahed Allah, Mohammad Gulab, and Vazati.

Nangarhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed eight fighters of the Islamic State in Achin district.

Islamic State conducted an attack on ‘Save the Children’ office in the city of Jalalabad, capital of Nangarhar province. Two people were killed and 14 wounded in the attack, according to the reports. Islamic State’s Amaq Agency stated that a suicide attack and three attacks targeted British and Swedish institutions, as well as Afghan government’s institutions in Jalalabad.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed and killed two Afghan Local Police’s elements in Ahmadzai area of Surkh Rod district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized a motorcycle from the killed elements.

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

Herat Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Army’s elements in Chahar area of Ghoryan district. The attack killed one Afghan National Army’s element and forced the remaining elements to retreat from the area. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized a PK machine gun, two assault rifles, and large quantities of ammunition.

Ghazni Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan captured Afghan Local Police’s checkpoint in Rabat area of Deh Yak district, killing four policemen in the process. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized four assault rifles and a PK machine gun from the checkpoint.

Paktika Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed four and wounded two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Urgun, Barmal, and Dila districts.

Farah Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted large-scale operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Bala Buluk and Khaki Safed districts, killing 20 elements of the group, including three commanders, Shorfa al-Deen, Malladad, and Mlatan. Afghan National Security Forces also wounded five elements of the group, as well as destroyed three vehicles, two motorcycles, and a weapons depot.

Afghan National Army’s element defected to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Chekh area of Farah Roh district.

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 and wounded three fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Tarinkot district. Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed several weapons depots and ammunition caches.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed seven elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed a base, three motorcycles, 41 improvised explosive devices, weapons depots, and ammunition caches in Nad Ali and Nahri Saraj districts. Among the seven killed elements is Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s local commander Besharat.

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

Kandahar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed ten and wounded nine elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Maywand and Khakrez districts. Furthermore, Afghan National Security Forces destroyed a VBIED and two motorcycles.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Army’s military base in Maywand district, reportedly killing six and wounding six 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 financial official in Afgooye, Lower Shebelle province.

Other:

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