Hello and welcome to the 355th 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 nine 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 Haj Khalil, Tellat 1102, Tellat Khalili, and Khalili in Rajo subdistrict, Shaykh al-Hadid, Mustakan, and Aranda in Shaykh al-Hadid subdistrict, and Bifliyoun and Jabal Bifliyoun in Sharran subdistrict.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Ibaa News Agency reported the group’s capture of Taqad and Saadiyah villages in the western Aleppo from Jabhat Tahrir Suriya (Ahrar al-Sham and Harakat Nour al-Deen al-Zenki). Jabhat Tahrir Suriya stated that they destroyed six Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s tanks during the past two days in Taqad and Saadiyah. Today’s clashes between the two in Shamiku village reportedly killed three and wounded three civilians.

Turkey and Russia reached an agreement and opened a crossing point in Tell al-Sultan area, in order to allow displaced civilians to return to their villages in the southwestern Aleppo and southern Idlib, now under the control of the Syrian Arab Army. Reports suggest that more than 1500 civilians went through the crossing point towards their homes in the region.

Approximate situation in Afrin region. Source: Syrian Civil War Map

Idlib:

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham released one of the two arrested individuals belonging to Molham Volunteering Team in the city of Idlib. The two individuals were arrested by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Sawaed al-Khair group in front of the organization’s office in Idlib on the 28th of February. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s official in charge of the investigation, Obeida al-Shami stated that the second individual is still detained, as the investigation against him continues, after the group was able to prove “security suspicions against him”. The second individual is being accused of involvement in “security work/business”.

Seven rebel battalions merged together and formed Kataib Ansar Allah. The newly-formed faction consists of; Katibat Taftanaz, Katibat Saraqib, Katibat Khan al-Sabil, Katibat al-Maera, Katibat Reef al-Maarat al-Sharqi, Katibat Ansar al-Sharia, and Al-Katibat al-Khudara.

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

Homs:

Syrian Arab Red Crescent in cooperation with the United Nations, delivered a humanitarian aid convoy to the rebel Northern Homs pocket. The convoy consisted of 19 trucks and entered the pocket through Al-Dar al-Kabir village. The aid was delivered to the villages of Al-Ghantu, Tirmala, Haboub, Al-Rahim, Al-Helmouz, Sanasil, Jawalik, Al-Mahata, and Al-Mashrue.

Deir al-Zour:

Left over Islamic State’s improvised explosive device killed a civilian in the Syrian Democratic Forces-held village of Al-Bahra in the eastern Deir al-Zour.

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery and Syrian Arab Air Force targeted Beit Sawa, Mesraba, Al-Ashaari, Hammouriyah, Douma, and Saqba in the East Ghouta. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), 31 civilians were killed by the targeting of Douma, while three civilians were killed and several wounded by the targeting of Mesraba.

Rebel forces in the East Ghouta shelled Harasta, as well as Al-Qaimariya and Bab Touma areas of the city of Damascus. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, a civilian was wounded by the shelling of Al-Qaimariya district.

Syrian Arab Army captured Al-Shifuniyah in the East Ghouta from Jaysh al-Islam. Syrian Ministry of Defense confirmed yesterday’s claims about the capture of Beit Naim and several localities in the East Ghouta. However, it appears that yesterday’s claims about the Syrian Arab Army capturing Al-Rayhan and Al-Muhammadiyah were false. Clashes between Jaysh al-Islam and Syrian Arab Army are ongoing in Al-Rayhan, as the latter made advances in the locality.

Situation in the East Ghouta. Source: Emmanuel

Quneitra:

Vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeted the headquarters of the Free Syrian Army’s Tajammu al-Shahid Abu Hamza al-Naemi in Al-Hayran. The explosion killed two and wounded one Free Syrian Army’s element, as they were approaching and attempting to inspect the explosive device near their headquarters. Islamic State-affiliated Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid is being accused of detonating the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.

Daraa:

Media figure of the Free Syrian Army’s Firqat al-Ashair, Abdullah al-Khalaf was killed on the road between Al-Harak and Nahta. Al-Khalaf was accompanied by the Syrian Civil Defense’s (The White Helmets) element, Mahmoud al-Khalaf, who was wounded in the incident, as the two were returning from a media session in Al-Harak. Free Syrian Army’s Firqat al-Ashair stated that its media figure was assassinated by Al-Ruwaydan group.

Improvised explosive device targeted Free Syrian Army’s elements conducting reconnaissance duties in the village of Jaila east of Nawa, near the frontline with the Syrian Arab Army and its allies. The explosion reportedly wounded five elements of the Free Syrian Army’s National Front for the Liberation of Syria. Syrian Arab Army is being accused of planting the improvised explosive device.

Iraq

Kirkuk:

Islamic State downed Al-Hashd al-Shaabi’s (Popular Mobilization Units) reconnaissance drone over the village of Tuwairiya in Al-Hawijah subdistrict.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Afghan Local Police’s element defected to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in Maidanak area of Qaysar district. The defected element handed over a vehicle, an RPG launcher, and four assault rifles to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Jowzjan Province:

Afghan Air Force reportedly conducted several air raids over the Islamic State’s positions in Dzerab district. Reports suggest that 13 elements of the Islamic State, including two fighters from Tajikistan were killed in the air raids. The killed elements were reportedly close to the Islamic State’s commander, Qari Hikmatullah.

Kunduz Province:

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

Baghlan Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed two and wounded one element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in the province’s center.

Nuristan Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reportedly captured five villages in Du Ab district from the Afghan National Security Forces.

Nangarhar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan Local Police’s checkpoint in Bati Kot District, reportedly killing four and wounding two elements of the police.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed and killed an element of the Afghan National Police in the city of Jalalabad. Similarly, Afghan National Security Forces’ element was killed in an ambush in Surkh Rod district.

Islamic State assassinated an element of the Afghan National Police in the city of Jalalabad, capital of 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

Logar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assassinated Afghan National Police’s officer Mohammad Salim in Mohammad Agha district.

Paktia Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Security Forces’ supply convoy in Zurmat district, reportedly killing one and wounding two elements.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper killed an element of the Afghan National Army in the city of Gardez, capital of Paktia Province.

Badghis Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran Afghan National Army’s checkpoint in Qali Zardak area of Dara Boom district. Four Afghan National Army’s elements, including commander Karim were killed and one arrested during the clashes for the checkpoint. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized a PK machine gun, and four assault rifles from the checkpoint.

Ghazni Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed one and wounded two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Gelan district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan killed one and wounded one element of the Afghan National Security Forces during the encounter in Gelan district.

Farah Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Pusht Rod district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper killed two elements of the Afghan National Police in Bazar area of Pusht Rod district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized a PK machine gun and an assault rifle from the killed elements.

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

Urozgan Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 15 and wounded 16 elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Khas Urozgan district, according to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed three vehicles, two motorcycles, and several weapons depots and ammunition caches. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported destruction of three armored personnel carriers in Garam Ab area of the city of Tarinkot, capital of Urozgan Province.

Zabul Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed three and wounded one element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Daychopan district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported an attack on Afghan National Security Forces’ patrol near Zanzir checkpoint in Daychopan district, reportedly killing four elements.

Nimruz Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device targeted Afghan National Security Forces’ reinforcements convoy arriving in Bazar area of Delaram district. The explosion reportedly destroyed a fuel tanker.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sniper killed an element of the Afghan National Army in Haji Ghulam Kili area of Delaram district.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed seven and wounded six elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as well as destroyed two vehicles and defused 22 improvised explosive devices in Nad Ali, Garmsir, and Jerashk districts. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported clashes with the Afghan National Security Forces arriving in Nawrozo area of Nad Ali. According to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, six elements of the Afghan National Security Forces were killed and two wounded in the encounters in Nad Ali.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device killed two elements of the Afghan National Army in Maktab area of Nahri Saraj district.

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

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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