Hello and welcome to the 239th installment of the SWD .

Military events/news are listed below by the governorates:

Aleppo:

Clashes continue between Harakat Nour al-Deen al-Zenki and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the Aleppo governorate, and have even spread to Idlib. After yesterday’s mutual arrests between the groups, HNDZ reportedly captured Tuqad and 111th Regiment’s base from HTS today.

Idlib:

Harakat Nour al-Deen al-Zenki and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham clashed in Deir Hassan, north of the latter’s stronghold Al-Dana. HTS was reportedly able to control HNDZ ‘s checkpoints and headquarters in Deir Hassan without any casualties on both sides.

Improvised explosive device targeted Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s vehicle on the road between Kafr Takharim and Armanaz. One HTS ‘ fighter was killed and another one injured in the explosion.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham arrested a member of the “Trustees Committee” in Salqin, which was created by the civilians of Salqin for the new local council. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s fighters reportedly threatened committee and forced them to issue a statement regarding the disbandment of the body.

Car bomb exploded at Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s checkpoint at the entrance to Sarmada. After the explosion, clashes were heard in the region.

Hama:

Syrian Arab Army briefly captured Al-Balil and Tall Umm Khazim from the Free Syrian Army’s Jaysh al-Izza. Jaysh al-Izza’s spokesman, Mustafa Maarati, stated that the recapture of localities resulted in a number of SAA ‘s soldiers killed, including the commander of the operations for eastern Hama, Brigadier General Bilal al-Qasim. Furthermore, Maarati stated that one SAA ‘s soldier was captured, as well as a BMP and various ammunition. During the recapture, Jaysh al-Izza destroyed SAA ‘s tank with a TOW missile.

Deir al-Zour:

Syrian Democratic Forces reportedly captured Hurayshiya and Merkada from the Islamic State.

Syrian Arab Army and allies on T-2 front linked up with the Iraqi allied units on the Syrian-Iraqi border. Shortly after the linking, the joint forces started an assault on the Islamic State-held Al-Bukamal (Albu Kamal). Currently the situation around Al-Bukamal is unclear, as several sources claim full capture from the Islamic State, while the others claim that the forces are still at the outskirts of the city. The city should be treated as disputed, until the capture is confirmed by the Syrian Ministry of Defense. To add more to the confusion, Islamic State’s Amaq Agency issued a statement reporting that SAA ‘s assault on Al-Bukamal from the Iraqi border was repelled.

According to the Amaq Agency, Islamic State destroyed SAA ‘s BMP with an anti-tank guided missile near the Al-Hari village, at the Syrian-Iraqi border. Another statement from Amaq reported an Islamic State’s suicide attack against the SAA on T-2 front.

Situation around Deir al-Zour, showing SDF ‘s progress against the Islamic State. Source: Rr016

Damascus:

Jaysh al-Islam and Faylaq al-Rahman clashed around Al-Ashari this morning and last night, amid mutual accusations. Lone group of fighters from Jaysh al-Islam reportedly tried to infiltrate Faylaq al-Rahman’s points around Al-Ashari last night. This act prompted Faylaq al-Rahman, backed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, to find a group of infiltrators and engage them. Shortly after that, clashes between the two sides stopped.

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery targeted Ain Terma, Jobar, Hawsh al-Dawahirah, Awtaya, Hammouriyah, Haza, Saqba, and Beit Naim. Syrian Arab Air Force conducted airstrikes over Ain Terma, Arbeen, Kafr Batna, Harasta, and Douma. Four airstrikes that hit Arbeen wounded several civilians.

Quneitra:

Ahrar al-Sham’s commander known as Abu Zeid Khirbet Ghazala, was captured yesterday by National Defence Forces and local Druze militias. Abu Zeid entered Hader area through Israel, four days after failed rebels’ offensive in the area. The commander in Ahrar al-Sham and Sharia official, Muhammad al-Kafri (Abu Thabit), reported three days ago that Abu Zeid was killed in the rebels’ offensive. Abu Zeid is just 20 years old, from Khirbet Ghazala, and his military experience was mostly against the IS-affiliated Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid around Hayt. National Defence Forces reportedly handed over Abu Zeid to the Syrian Arab Army today. Abu Zeid was then transferred to the Damascus governorate and his location or status is currently unknown.

Iraq

Kirkuk:

Leader of Saraya al-Salam (Peace Companies – Peace Brigades), cleric Moqtada al-Sadr issued a personal statement yesterday, giving his forces 72 hours to close their headquarters in Kirkuk and to withdraw from the city. This decision comes after twin suicide bombing struck the vicinity of Saraya al-Salam’s HQ, killing at least six people. Saraya al-Salam’s fighters withdrew from Kirkuk today.

Diyala:

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency claimed IS’ improvised explosive device destroyed Iraqi Army’s mine-resistant ambush protected Cougar vehicle, in Abu Issa area.

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces conducted several anti-insurgency operations in Baghdad’s region. In Al-Jubba and Arab Nuri areas, south of Baghdad, five improvised explosive devices were found and safely detonated, furthermore, seven various mortar rounds were found and safely removed. West of Baghdad, in Al-Maamir area, the forces found eight improvised explosive devices, 15 grenades, 32 60mm mortar rounds and various weapons, along with ammunition. South of Baghdad, in Al-Huwair and Shakhah 5 areas, security forces treated an improvised explosive device and found seven various grenades.

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:

Afghanistan:

Islamic State claimed responsibility for yesterday’s assassination of Nayyar Iqbal Rana, Pakistani diplomat in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province. Two Islamic State’s fighters on a motorcycle opened fire on Rana, while he was at a shop.

Other:

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