Hello and welcome to the 321st 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 three localities from 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). Free Syrian Army captured Hamam village in Jinderes subdistrict and Mamel Ushaghi village and point 915 in Shaykh al-Hadid subdistrict. Clashes between Free Syrian Army and Yekîneyên Parastina Gel also occurred in Dayr Balut village of Jindires subdistrict.

Turkish Armed Forces conducted strikes over 53 targets in Afrin region. The strikes were conducted by 26 Turkish Air Force’s warplanes. Four elements of the Free Syrian Army were wounded in today’s clashes. Turkish Armed Forces also stated that at least 59 elements of Yekîneyên Parastina Gel were “neutralized” today and 616 since the start of the operation ‘Olive Branch’.

Turkish Armed Forces reinforced positions on the newly-captured Jabal Birsaya north of Azaz. Reports suggest that Turkish Armed Forces are preparing the aforementioned area for the establishment of a military base. Commander of the Turkey Army’s Second Army and commander of Turkish Armed Forces in ‘Olive Branch’ operation, Lieutenant General İsmail Metin Temel visited Jabal Birsaya today.

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

Idlib:

Syrian Arab Army reportedly captured Abu al-Duhur, Jafar al-Khafiya, and Dahrat al-Khafiya from the rebel factions in the southern Idlib.

Free Syrian Army’s Jaysh al-Nasr released a statement disassociating itself from Captain Muhannad Junaid, responsible for the group’s external relations. Media official of Jaysh al-Nasr, Mohammad Rashid stated that the group decided to withdraw from the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi a month ago, while Junaid wanted to attend the event.

Russian Air Force conducted air raids over Saraqib, Maasran, Maarat al-Numan, Jarjnaz, Al-Ghatafa, and Maar Tahroma (Maaret Hurmah) in Idlib. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), 12 people were killed and ten wounded by the air raids over Saraqib. Syrian Civil Defense also reported that five civilians were killed by the air raids over Maasran.

Situation in the southern Idlib – southern Aleppo region. Source: Emmanuel

Deir al-Zour:

Islamic State targeted Syrian Democratic Forces’ gathering with an anti-tank guided missile in the vicinity of Gharanij in the eastern Deir al-Zour. According to the Islamic State’s Amaq Agency, five elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces were killed and wounded in the attack.

Situation in the eastern Deir al-Zour. Source: Emmanuel

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery shelled Harasta in the East Ghouta, wounding two civilians, according to the Syrian Civil Defense. Rebel factions in the East Ghouta shelled Harasta, wounding four civilians and causing material damage in the locality, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.

Daraa:

Free Syrian Army’s factions led by Liwa al-Karama recaptured Al-Rai checkpoint and surrounding points in Al-Sheikh Saad, which were briefly captured by the Islamic State-affiliated Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid. Free Syrian Army’s Liwa al-Karama was assisted by Jaysh al-Thawra, Jaysh al-Muetaz Biallah, Firqat Ahrar Nawa, Firqat al-Shahid Jamil Abu Zayn, and Fawj al-Midfaeiat al-Awl.

Vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeted Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s checkpoint on the road between Al-Jiza and Al-Musayfirah. The explosion reportedly killed and wounded ten elements of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as well as killed four civilians. Reports also suggest that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s commander Abu Hamza al-Urduni was killed in the explosion.

Iraq

Kirkuk:

Islamic State raided Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) positions at the outskirts of Hawijah district. According to the Islamic State’s Amaq Agency, three elements of Al-Hashd al-Shaabi were killed in the raid.

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces conducted operations in Al-Anaz area west of Baghdad. Security forces discovered and safely detonated 115 left over Islamic State’s improvised explosive devices. Several wanted individuals were also arrested in the operations.

Afghanistan

Kunduz Province:

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

Kabul Province:

Five Islamic State’s inghimasi (suicide fighters) raided Afghan National Army’s military base in the city of Kabul. One fighter conducted a suicide attack, three were killed in the clashes, and one was captured. Afghan Ministry of Defense stated that five people were killed and ten wounded in the attack. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) condemned the attack in Kabul.

Laghman Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed an element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Alingar district.

Nangarhar Province:

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

Islamic State assassinated Afghan National Police’s commander and one of his bodyguards in the city of Jalalabad, capital of Nangarhar Province.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that two elements of the Afghan Local Police were killed during the clashes with the Islamic State in Momand Dara 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:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Army’s logistical convoy in Sultan Kheil area of Saydabad district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan destroyed a fuel tanker and killed four soldiers in the attack.

Paktia Province:

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

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan launched an attack on the Afghan National Police’s positions in Ghaleh Sistani area of Ahmadabad district. Three elements of the Afghan National Police were wounded in the clashes.

Ghazni Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted large-scale operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Qarabagh district, killing 26, wounding 17, and arresting three elements of the group, according to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed seven vehicles in the operations. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also reported that clashes occurred in Qarabagh district. According to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, nine elements of the Afghan National Army were killed and 14 wounded, as well as three armored personnel carriers destroyed in the encounter. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also reported that one of their fighters was killed and two wounded.

Afghan National Police conducted an operation against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in the province and freed Haji Niazgul from the group’s captivity. Haji Niazgul is one of the tribal elders in Zurmat district of Paktia Province and was kidnapped a week ago by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan due to his cooperation with the Afghan government. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was reportedly ready to kill Niazgul due to his connections with the Afghan government.

Farah Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed five elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as well as destroyed a vehicle and an ammunition cache in Pusht Rod district.

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

Zabul Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Army’s positions in Shah Joy district, killing three soldiers.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed seven and wounded one element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Garmsir and Nad Ali districts. Furthermore, Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed a motorcycle.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper killed an element of the Afghan National Army in 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 attacked Afghan National Army’s convoy in Salami area of Khakrez district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive devices also targeted the convoy. Reports suggest that four elements of the Afghan National Army were killed in the encounter, as well as two armored personnel carriers destroyed.

Afghan National Army’s element surrendered to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with his weapon in Gizab area of 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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