Hello and welcome to the 267th installment of the SWD .

Military events/news are listed below by the governorates:

Aleppo:

Free Syrian Army is preparing to open a crossing point between its areas and areas under the control of the Syrian Arab Army in the northern Aleppo. Commander in the Free Syrian Army’s, Firqat al-Sultan Murad (Sultan Murad Division), Abu Walid al-Izza stated that the road is being cleaned for the purpose of establishing a crossing point in Al-Shamawiya area, west of Al-Bab. Al-Izza confirmed that the crossing will be free for both the commercial and civilian vehicles. Currently, the vehicles in FSA -held areas have to go through SDF -held Afrin or Manbij to reach SAA -held Aleppo and pay crossing fees at SDF ‘s checkpoints.

Improvised explosive device wounded two civilians, as their vehicle was passing by agricultural land near Syrian Democratic Forces-held Ahras village.

Syrian Democratic Forces’ Manbij Military Council found three mass graves in the village of Umm Qabbar, near Manbij city. The mass graves reportedly contain remains of 235 civilians killed by the Islamic State during its control over the locality.

Raqqa:

Two left over Islamic State’s improvised explosive devices killed two civilians, who were inspecting their homes in the city of Raqqa. The first explosion occurred near the electricity company in the city, while the other explosion took place in Al-Dareea neighborhood in the western part of Raqqa.

Hama:

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham repelled Syrian Arab Army’s overnight attacks on Balil and Rabda villages. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s commander, Abu Hassan al-Farouq quoting a military commander in the rebel operations room of the Northern Hama said that 20 Syrian Arab Army’s elements were killed in the failed attacks, including a commander. Commander of the 131st Armored Brigade of the Syrian Arab Army’s 18th Armored Division, Lieutenant Colonel Abbas Mustafa Saleh was killed in the failed attack. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s commander Abu al-Ridha was also killed in the clashes.

Deir al-Zour:

Islamic State opened fire on civilians in Al-Khashkia and Hajin, after the latter refused to comply with the former’s requests. One civilian was killed and another wounded in Al-Hawamah neighborhood of Hajin, after they refused to allow Islamic State’s fighters to search their homes. In Al-Kashkia, two civilians were wounded by the Islamic State, after refusing to hand over their house in the locality. Furthermore, reports suggest that IS carried out a detainment campaign against the able-bodied young men in Abu Hammam village.

Syrian Arab Army captured all of the Islamic State’s localities between Al-Mayadeen and Al-Bukamal (Albu Kamal), thus removing the group’s influence from the western bank of the Euphrates river.

Approximate situation in the eastern Deir al-Zour. Source: Rr016

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery shelled Arbeen, Saqba, Douma and Ain Terma in the East Ghouta. Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets) reported death of two civilians and injury of another one due to the shelling of Arbeen. The shelling of Saqba reportedly killed one civilian and injured several others.

Islamic State damaged Syrian Arab Army’s machine gun position in the city of Sbeneh, south of Damascus, according to a statement from the Amaq Agency.

Daraa:

Free Syrian Army’s Al-Wiyat al-Omari denied Syrian Arab News Agency’s report from the 3rd of December, which stated that 100 people, including 40 rebel fighters agreed to reconciliation in Shara village, Al-Lajat area. Omar al-Madalji, member of the publishing office in Al-Wiyat al-Omari stated that the village will never hand over its weapons and will continue fighting until the victory.

Islamic State-linked Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid released more than 60 individuals detained yesterday in Tasil due to breaking group’s rules, such as wearing jeans and having unfit haircuts. The individuals were physically abused before being released.

Iraq

Nineveh:

Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeted Rostam Judi refugee camp near Makhmour. The attack killed and wounded several civilians.

Baghdad:

Iraqi Army’s 6th Infantry Division conducted operations in Al-Abadi and Al-Dhiyban areas, west of Baghdad. The operations were aimed at removing left over improvised explosive device, as preparations for the return of internally displaced civilians to their homes in the aforementioned areas. Security Forces found 146 improvised explosive devices which were safely detonated in a controlled explosion.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted operations against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in Bilchiragh and Qaramqol districts. The operations resulted in the death of eight IEA fighters and injury of additional five, as well as in destruction of three vehicles and several weapons depots and ammunition caches.

Kunar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces captured an element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Ghaziabad district.

Laghman Province:

Islamic State killed seven Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s fighters during the clashes between the two in Alingar district.

Nangarhar Province:

Afghan Air Force carried out air strikes against the Islamic State’s positions in Achin district last night. Reports suggest that 25 Islamic State’s fighters were killed by the air strikes.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Army’s soldiers in Bati Kot district, killing one soldier.

Islamic State killed three fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, during the latter’s failed attack on Jenarikou village.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency released a statement about the IS’ improvised explosive device damaging an United States Army’s vehicle in Jebrar directorate.

Maidan Wardak Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed two fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Saydabad district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan launched an attack against the positions of the Afghan National Army in Saydabad district. The attack resulted in death of two soldiers and injury of another one.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan captured two Afghan National Army’s soldiers at a checkpoint in Saydabad district.

Ghazni Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed five and wounded two IEA fighters in Qarabagh district, as well as destroyed an HQ, five vehicles, and eight motorcycles.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid said that the reports about the death of Omar Khattab (Omar Mansour), senior Al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan are just rumors. Mujahid also denied reports about the killing of 80 fighters of Al-Qaeda in Ghazni province. Yesterday, National Directorate of Security announced the death of Omar Khattab along with 80 fighters of Al-Qaeda during the operations in the province.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Army’s commander Zaher and his bodyguards in Deh Yak district. The commander was killed in the ambush, as well as one of his bodyguards.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Police’s checkpoint in Jilan directorate, killing two and seriously wounding one ANP ‘s element.

Paktia Province:

Afghan National Security Forces conducted operations in Zurmat district and killed two fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Khost Province:

Afghan National Security Forces’ operations in Nadir Shah Kot district killed four fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device targeted Afghan National Army’s foot patrol in Shinki directorate, seriously wounding two soldiers.

Urozgan Province:

Islamic State started operating in Urozgan province, more precisely, in Charkino district. Currently without military capabilities, the group has started recruiting locals and providing them with large quantities of money. The group’s leadership is consisting of two former Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s commanders, Mullah Aminullah and Mullah Mansur Dadullah, the latter being in charge of military operations.

Paktika Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Army’s foot patrol in Sar Hawza district, killing one and wounding another soldier.

Nimruz Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Army’s armored vehicle in Delaram directorate.

Helmand Province:

Afghanistan National Security Forces killed nine fighters of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed two vehicles in Sangin and Nahri Saraj districts.

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:

Egypt:

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency claimed assassination of two spies working for the Egyptian Army in Al-Safa neighborhood of Rafah.

Other:

Intellectual credited property used may vary from an edition to edition.

Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below, constructive criticism is welcomed.

For those of you interested, you can follow us on an official Twitter account @SyrianWarDaily, or me personally on my biased twitter @joskobaric where I occasionally tweet some things.