Hello and welcome to the 335th 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 two 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 Al-Mahmudiyah and Tellat al-Almara in Jindires subdistrict. Three elements of the YPG were killed during the clashes in Sheikh Khoruz area. Turkish Armed Forces’ unmanned combat air vehicle (drone) Bayraktar crashed over Qude village in Rajo subdistrict, while the YPG claimed that they downed it.

Turkish Armed Forces stated that at least 1369 elements of Yekîneyên Parastina Gel were “neutralized” since the start of the operation ‘Olive Branch’. Turkish Armed Forces also stated that 31 of its elements were killed in the operation. YPG stated that 862 elements of the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army were killed in the clashes in Afrin. YPG also stated that 98 of its elements were killed in the clashes.

Approximate situation in Afrin region, HD version of this map can be found here. Source: Tomasz Rolbiecki

Idlib:

Islamic State launched a new wave of attacks against rebels in the southern Idlib, by attacking Umm al-Khalakhil, Ard al-Zarzour and Khuwayn al-Kabir. Reports suggest that the Islamic State managed to captured Khuwayn al-Kabir, while the commander of the Free Syrian Army’s Jaysh al-Nasr, Abdel Moin al-Masri stated that both Khuwayn al-Kabir and Ard al-Zarzour were captured by the Islamic State. Rebel operations room Dahar al-Ghaza and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham repelled the attack on Umm al-Khalakhil, killing at least five IS’ fighters. Rebels also captured at least eight IS’ fighters during the clashes on Khuwayn al-Kabir front.

Unknown individuals assassinated commander of the Free Syrian Army’s Free Idlib Army, Hammad al-Shaysh at the outskirts of Hazano village. Al-Shaysh was commander of Katibat Suqur al-Badia in the Free Idlib Army.

Several improvised explosive devices exploded across Idlib governorate, targeting both civilians and armed individuals. Eight civilians were killed and 15 wounded by the explosion in Maarrat Misrin, while two civilians were killed and three wounded by the explosion in Khan Sheikhoun (Shaykhun). Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s commander Abu Hudhayfah al-Homsi was killed and two elements of the group wounded by the explosion on the road between Al-Mustamah and Ariha. Several elements of the Free Syrian Army were wounded by the explosion at the outskirts of Maar Shamarin.

Rebel forces found several improvised explosive devices at the outskirts of Al-Habit, which were reportedly planted by the Islamic State’s sleeper cells. Several improvised explosive devices were safely detonated and some dismantled.

Bodies of two unknown individuals were found between Maasran and Babila, while one body was found near the village of Al-Zalaana.

Approximate situation in the southern Idlib – northeastern Hama region. Source: Emmanuel

Hama:

Syrian Arab Army and allies made limited advances against rebels near Maqsam al-Hamrat village in the Northern Homs pocket.

Deir al-Zour:

Islamic State’s snipers killed two elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of Al-Bahra, according to Amaq Agency.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that CJTF-OIR ‘s airstrikes over Al-Shaafa village killed nine civilians.

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery shelled Jobar in the East Ghouta. Reports suggest that the shelling killed four and wounded seven elements of Faylaq al-Rahman.

Al-Suwayda:

Improvised explosive device exploded near the village of Lahitheh and targeted a civilian bus. The explosion lightly wounded driver of the bus.

Iraq

Salah al-Deen:

Islamic State launched an attack against the Iraqi Federal Police and Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) in Al-Farahiyah area. According to the Islamic State’s Amaq Agency, three elements of the Iraqi Federal Police were killed, while one element of Al-Hashd al-Shaabi was killed and another wounded in the attack. Furthermore, the police’s Humvee was damaged in the attack. Islamic State also detonated several improvised explosive devices in the area, reportedly destroying two Al-Hashd al-Shaabi and one Iraqi Federal Police’s vehicle.

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces conducted operations in Al-Zawabah area, west of Baghdad. Security forces found and dismantled 32 left over Islamic State’s improvised explosive devices. Several wanted individuals were also arrested.

Afghanistan

Balkh Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) ambushed and killed an element of the Afghan Local Police in Khas Balkh district. Separately, Afghan National Police’s element was killed by a sniper in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of Balkh Province.

Takhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces clashed with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Darqad district. According to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, 12 elements of the Afghan National Security Forces were killed during the heavy clashes between the two sides.

Badakhshan Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Army’s post in Jurm district. Four elements of the Afghan National Police were reportedly killed and several wounded in the raid.

Kunduz Province:

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

Kunar Province:

Two elements of the Afghan National Army were wounded by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s shelling of a military base in Ghaziabad district.

Kapisa Province:

Afghan National Security Forces arrested an element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and captured a vehicle in Tagab district.

Residents of Darah-e-Ghous village in Nijrab district pledged allegiance to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Laghman Province:

Islamic State took control of 11 villages from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Alingar district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device killed one and wounded several elements of the Afghan Local Police in the city of Mihtarlam, capital of Laghman Province.

Nangarhar Province:

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 seized two weapons depots and ammunition caches belonging to Haqqani Network.

Farah Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s vehicle-borne improvised explosive device prematurely exploded in the village of Dahnejul in Anar Dara district. The explosion reportedly killed four elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

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

Zabul Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed three motorcycles in Arghandab district.

Nimruz Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan destroyed Afghan National Army’s vehicle and killed two soldiers in an ambush in Zanzir area of Delaram district.

Helmand Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran Afghan Local Police’s checkpoint on Kandahar road in Seydano area of Jerashk district. Six elements of the Afghan Local Police were reportedly killed in the encounter, while the remaining elements withdrew from the checkpoint. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized a PK machine gun and an assault rifle from the checkpoint.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Kamaz truck carrying two armored personnel carriers in Yakchal area of Nahri Saraj district. Similarly, Afghan Local Police’s vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device in Mandyano area of Jerashk district, killing two and wounding three policemen.

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

Kandahar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed three and wounded two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistasn in Shah Wali Kot 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:

Other:

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