Hello and welcome to the 351st 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 Anqla and Sanara villages in Shaykh al-Hadid subdistrict. After today’s advances, the Free Syrian Army opened road between its areas in Rajo subdistrict with those in Jindires and eliminated YPG ‘s presence in the direct border area between Syria and Turkey.

Approximate situation in Afrin region. Source: Global Event Map

Idlib:

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham reportedly recaptured Aqrabat, Kafr Lusin, Salwa, Qah, and Atme from Jabhat Tahrir Suriya (Ahrar al-Sham and Harakat Nour al-Deen al-Zenki) in the northern Idlib. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham also downed Jabhat Tahrir Suriya’s drone in Kafr Lusin. Reports suggest that three civilians were killed and several wounded in the clashes between the two sides near Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey.

Seven rebel factions; Jaysh al-Malahim, Jaysh al-Badiya, Jaysh al-Sahel, Saraya al-Sahel, Saraya Kabul, Jund al-Sharqiya, and remnants of Jund al-Aqsa (Liwa al-Aqsa) formed Hurras al-Deen (Religious Guards / Guardians of Religion), under the leadership of the former Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s commander, Abu Hammam al-Shami. The newly-formed groups’ Shura council consists of several Al-Qaida’s figures, such as; Abu Jilibib Tubas, Abu Khadija al-Urduni, Sami al-Aridi, Abu al-Qasem, and Abu Abdul al-Rahman al-Maki. The aforementioned Shura council also consists of several figures previously associated with Jabhat al-Nusra.

Six Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s battalions reportedly defected to Jaysh al-Ahrar. According to Jaysh al-Ahrar’s statement, the battalions defected to the group due to the infighting between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Jabhat Tahrir Suriya.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s elements stopped Ahrar al-Sham’s vehicle carrying Abu Turab al-Masri at the eastern entrance to the city of Idlib. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s elements reportedly opened fire on Al-Masri and killed him, after identifying him.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham arrested two individuals belonging to Molham Volunteering Team in the city of Idlib. The volunteering team stated that they do not know why the two individuals were arrested. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham also reportedly seized a vehicle belonging to the volunteering team.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham dismantled an improvised explosive device planted in the city of Khan al-Sabil, south of Idlib.

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

Hama:

Jabhat Tahrir Suriya and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham reached an agreement to neutralize localities in the southern Idlib and northern Hama from the current infighting. Free Syrian Army’s Jaysh al-Izaa signed the agreement as a guaranteer. Localities included in the agreement are; Al-Sheikh Mustafa, Kafr Sajna, Al-Rakaya, Madaya, Al-Amriyah, Muqa, Kafr Ain, Haysh, Tahtaya, Khan Sheikhoun (Shaykhun), Morek, and Kafr Zita.

Elders of Morek, 19 of them, signed and issued a statement that the locality and crossing with the Syrian Arab Army are free from the armed presence, after an agreement was reached for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to withdraw from it. The statement also said that Morek is now under the supervision of a civil administration.

Deir al-Zour:

Islamic State launched an attack against the Syrian Democratic Forces northeast of Al-Shaafa village in the eastern Deir al-Zour, near the border between Syria and Iraq. According to the Islamic State’s Amaq Agency, 13 elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces were killed and four captured in the attack.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that CJTF-OIR ‘s airstrikes northeast of Al-Shaafa killed more than 30 civilians.

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery and Syrian Arab Air Force targeted Al-Ashari, Awtaya, Hawsh al-Dawahirah, Al-Shifuniyah, Douma, and Harasta in the East Ghouta. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), several civilians were wounded by the shelling of the aforementioned localities. The targeting also destroyed the building of Al-Shifuniyah’s local council, killing president of the council, Mohammed Jamous and two other members of the council.

Syrian Arab Army reportedly made advances in the vicinity of Harasta, capturing Sayidna Muhammad mosque and several farms near the road between Harasta and Douma. Rebel ‘Bianahum Zulimu’ operations room, led by Ahrar al-Sham reported that they repelled Syrian Arab Army’s attack on hospital front in Harasta, killing 15 and wounding 20 elements.

Syrian Arab Army reportedly captured Hawsh al-Dawahirah from Jaysh al-Islam in the East Ghouta.

Approximate situation in the East Ghouta. Source: Emmanuel

Quneitra:

Improvised explosive device targeted Free Syrian Army’s vehicle on a road in Mamtinah, southern Quneitra. Three elements of the Free Syrian Army’s Al-Wiyat Saif al-Sham were killed in the explosion. The group accused Hezbollah of planting the improvised explosive device.

Daraa:

Rebel forces shelled the city of Daraa, killing two and wounding 18 civilians, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency. Separately, Syrian Arab Army’s artillery shelled Al-Hara and Naseeb, reportedly killing one and wounding four civilians. Rebel “Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office” reported death of three civilians, due to the Syrian Arab Army’s shelling of localities in Daraa governorate.

Iraq

Baghdad:

Iraqi Security Forces conducted operations in Awr and Al-Basatin districts, east of Baghdad. Security forces found 10 detonars and a gun, as well as arrested several wanted individuals.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed five and wounded seven elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in Pashtun Kot district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that one element of the Afghan Local Police was killed and another wounded in an ambush in Pashtun Kot district.

Jowzjan Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assassinated four elements of the National Directorate of Security in Aqcha district.

Kunduz Province:

Afghan National Security Forces arrested three individuals suspected of belonging to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Khan Abad district.

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

Takhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed six and wounded 11 elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Darqad district.

Sar-e Pol Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed three and wounded four elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Sayyad district. One of the three killed elements is Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s commander, Mawlawi Muhammad Allah. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that four elements of the Afghan National Security Forces were killed and four wounded during the encounter in Sayyad district.

Baghlan Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed three and wounded five elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as well as seized two motorcycles and several weapons depots and ammunition caches in Tala wa Barfak district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that one element of the Afghan National Security Forces was killed and four wounded, during the latter’s offensive in Tala wa Barfak district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also reported seizable advances in Tala wa Barfak district, by capturing a large area and clearing several localities of the Afghan National Security Forces’ presence.

Kunar Province:

Islamic State reportedly killed three and wounded four elements of the Afghan National Army, during the clashes between the two in the province.

Laghman Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Security Forces’ convoy in Alishang district, which resulted in heavy clashes between the two sides.

Nangarhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed one and wounded one element of the Islamic State in Nazyan district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device targeted a vehicle belonging to the National Directorate of Security in the city of Jalalabad, killing two elements.

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

Ghazni Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Police’s checkpoint in Deh Yak district. Two elements of the Afghan National Police were reportedly killed and two wounded in the raid.

Farah Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 13 and wounded six elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Pusht Rod. Among the 13 killed elements are two Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s commanders, Mullah Abdul Ali Helmandi and Malalf. One of the six wounded elements is the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s commander, Mullah Nematullah.

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

Zabul Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device killed an element of the Afghan National Army in Mulla Muhammad Ali Killi area of Shah Joy district.

Nimruz Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive device destroyed Afghan National Security Forces’ Kamaz truck near Wali Jan area of Delaram district.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 17 and wounded three elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Khanashin, Nahri Saraj, and Kajaki districts, according to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. Afghan National Security Forces also destroyed a factory, a vehicle, and over three tons of drugs.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan National Army’s elements on Herat road in Muhajaro area of Jerashk district, destroying two vehicles and forcing Afghan National Army to retreat from the area.

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

Kandahar Province:

National Directorate of Security arrested an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s sleeper cell in the province. The cell consisted of 12 individuals and reportedly conducted and participated in numerous operations conducted by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

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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