Hello and welcome to the 331st installment of the SWD .

Military events/news are listed below by the governorates:

Aleppo:

Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army reportedly repelled Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPG attack on Jabal al-Azz in Rajo subdistrict. According to the Free Syrian Army’s Tajammu Ahrar al-Sharqiya, rebels seized two TOW anti-tank guided missiles, two RPGs, and three assault rifles from the encounter.

Syrian Democratic Forces’ YPG destroyed Turkish Armed Forces’ armored vehicle with an anti-tank guided missile in Sheikh Khoruz area of Bulbul subdistrict.

General Staff of the Republic of Turkey announced death of two Turkish Armed Forces’ elements due to YPG ‘s mortar shelling in Bulbul subdistrict of Afrin. This announcement brings Turkish Armed Forces’ death toll in the operation ‘Olive Branch’ to 17 soldiers.

Turkish Armed Forces’ convoy entered Syria through Kafr Lusin and headed towards Darat Izza, in order to strengthen the observation point present in the area.

Faylaq al-Sham released a statement removing Major Yasser Abdel Rahim from his position as the commander of the group in the northern Aleppo (Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army-held areas). Faylaq al-Sham stated that Khaldoun Mador (Abu Jamil) is the new commander of the northern Aleppo. Yasser Abdel Rahim was reportedly removed from his position due to internal differences between him and the leadership of the group. Unknown individuals tried to assassinate Yasser Abdel Rahim in Hawar Kilis, after he was removed from his position in Faylaq al-Sham.

Approximate situation in Afrin region. Source: Tomasz Rolbiecki

Idlib:

Russian Air Force conducted air raids over Kafr Sajna, Khan Sheikhoun (Shaykhun), Bidama, and Jisr al-Shughur in Idlib governorate. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), two civilians were killed by the air raids over Kafr Sajna, while three civilians were killed and six wounded by the air raids over Bidama. Syrian Civil Defense also reported that three of its members were killed and four wounded by the air raids over Khan Sheikhoun.

Hama:

Syrian Arab Army made another large wave of advances against the Islamic State in the northeastern Hama, capturing over a dozen of localities again and getting close to removing the Islamic State’s pocket in the region. Some of the localities that the Syrian Arab Army captured today are Bashkun, Musaytibah, Abu Ajwah, Anbaz, Qasr ibn Wardan, Huwaysis ibn Hadib, Rasm Ahmar, Rasm Tinah, Abu Kanadiq, Rasm Hammam, Rasm Barud, Abb Khazanah, Huwaysis Umm Jazan, Wadi Jahanam, Hawas Muhammed, Muwaylih Suwaranah, Muwaylih bin Hadib, Al-Shamtaniyah, Sheyha al-Hamra, and Al-Muntar.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported destruction of Syrian Arab Army’s BMP with an anti-tank guided missile in the northeastern Hama.

Approximate situation in the southern Idlib – northeastern Hama region. Source: Syrian Civil War Map

Deir al-Zour:

Last night, local/tribal elements of the National Defense Forces reportedly tried to advance against the Syrian Democratic Forces in Kunkiou oil field area, east of the city of Deir al-Zour. However, CJTF-OIR conducted air strikes against the attacking forces in Jadida al-Akidat, Khasham, and Maret, killing over 100 elements, according to the reports. Several reports suggest that IRGC -affiliated Liwa al-Fatemiyoun and IRGC itself suffered part of the casualties from the airstrikes. CJTF-OIR released a news release regarding the incident:

Syrian pro-regime forces initiated an unprovoked attack against well-established Syrian Democratic Forces headquarters Feb. 7. Coalition service members in an advise, assist, and accompany capacity were co-located with SDF partners during the attack eight kilometers east of the agreed-upon Euphrates River de-confliction line. In defense of Coalition and partner forces, the Coalition conducted strikes against attacking forces to repel the act of aggression against partners engaged in the Global Coalition’s defeat-Daesh mission. The Coalition remains committed to focusing on the defeat-Daesh mission in the Middle Euphrates River Valley and asserts its non-negotiable right to act in self-defense.

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that an improvised explosive devices killed three and wounded several elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the vicinity of Al-Bahra village. Separately, Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported death of an element of the Syrian Democratic Forces, due to being targeted with an RPG in the village of Al-Bahra, northwest of Hajin.

Damascus:

Syrian Arab Army’s artillery and Syrian Arab Air Force targeted Harasta, Ain Terma, Douma, Beit Sawa, Mesraba, Hazeh, Madyara, Jisreen, Arbeen, Saqba, and Hammouriyah in the East Ghouta. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets), 17 civilians were killed by the targeting of Jisreen, while five civilians were killed by the targeting of Arbeen. Syrian Civil Defense also reported that six civilians were killed by the targeting of Hammouriyah and three civilians killed by the targeting of Saqba.

Rebel forces in the East Ghouta shelled Bab Touma district of Damascus and Harasta. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, a civilian was killed and five wounded by the shelling of Dahiyet al-Assad in Harasta.

Rebel ‘Bianahum Zulimu’ operations room, led by Ahrar al-Sham reported that it ambushed Syrian Arab Army and Syrian Republican Guard on the hospital front in Harasta. According to the operations room, more than ten elements of the Syrian Arab Army and Syrian Republican Guard were killed in the ambush.

Jaysh al-Islam stated that its commander of Al-Liwa al-Thalith Musha (Third Infantry Brigade), Nour Abdel Jalil was killed by the Syrian Arab Army’s shelling of Mesraba. Jalil’s wife and daughter were also killed by the shelling of Mesraba, which targeted their house in the locality. Nour Abdel Jalil was an important commander in the group, as he led Jaysh al-Islam’s defenses on Hawsh al-Dawahirah front in the East Ghouta.

Russian Armed Forces reportedly took control of the Syrian Arab Army’s Al-Firqat al-Thalitha (Third Division) in the city of Al-Qutayfah in the Eastern Qalamoun region. The division will reportedly be turned into Al-Faylaq al-Sadis (Sixth Corps).

Daraa:

Islamic State-affiliated Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid launched an attack on rebel-held village of Hayt in the southwestern Daraa governorate. The attack was repelled by the rebel Sad al-Bagha operations room, which reportedly killed more than 30 elements of Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid. Rebel casualties were reported as 12 killed, including two commanders and ten wounded. Commander of the Free Syrian Army’s Jaysh al-Thawra, Omar Saleh Jumaa and commander of Liwa al-Haramin belonging to the Free Syrian Army’s Firqat Haqq, Sami al-Saffouri were killed in the encounter.

Improvised explosive device on the road between Aqraba and Kafr Nasej killed two elements of Liwa Omar ibn al-Khattab, belonging to the Free Syrian Army’s Al-Firqat 46. The group accused Hezbollah’s elements in Deir al-Adas of planting the improvised explosive device.

Iraq

Salah al-Deen:

Islamic State’s improvised explosive device destroyed Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) vehicle and killed two elements on Wataban street in the western part of the city of Samarra. Similarly, Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that an Iraqi Federal Police’s Humvee was destroyed in Jalam Samarra area, northeast of Samarra.

Anbar:

Islamic State’s Amaq Agency reported that a suicide attack targeted Iraqi Security Forces in Al-Sufiya area of the city of Ramadi, killing two and wounding ten elements.

Afghanistan

Faryab Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) raided Afghan National Police’s checkpoint in Doabia area of Chilgazy district, killing one and wounding eight policemen.

Balkh Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed and killed an element of the Afghan National Police in Charbolak district. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized an assault rifle from the killed element. Separately, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan captured Afghan Local Police’s element in Albarz district.

Takhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed seven and wounded six elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Darqad and Yangi Qala districts. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that it ambushed Afghan National Security Forces in Darqad district, killing five elements. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also reported that clashes took place in Yangi Qala district, where 12 elements of the Afghan National Security Forces were reportedly killed and two tanks destroyed.

Kunduz Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed an element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and destroyed a base in Chardara district.

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

Laghman Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attacked Afghan Local Police’s checkpoint in the city of Mihtarlam, capital of Laghman Province. According to the reports, one element of the Afghan Local Police was killed and another wounded in the attack.

Nangarhar Province:

Afghan National Security Forces arrested well-known insurgent, Sadam Moublind in Nazyan district. Moublind is reportedly responsible for organizing a huge number of attacks in the district, including several attacks on checkpoints, schools, hospitals, and other public areas.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan Local Police’s checkpoint in Bati Kot district, wounding three policemen. Separately, two elements of the Afghan Local Police were killed in clashes with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Surkh Rod district.

Two Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s improvised explosive devices destroyed Afghan National Security Forces’ vehicle, as well as killed six and wounded four elements in Surkh Rod 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’s improvised explosive device killed one and wounded one element of the Afghan National Army in Saydabad district. Similarly, one Afghan National Army’s element was killed and another wounded by a landmine in Chaki Wardak district.

Logar Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s landmine targeted Afghan National Army’s tank and killed four soldiers in Charkh district.

Paktia Province:

Afghan National Security Forces wounded two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and captured a motorcycle in Sayid Karam district.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed Afghan National Security Forces’ convoy in the city of Gardez, capital of Paktia Province. According to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, six elements of the Afghan National Security Forces were killed and five wounded, as well as two tanks destroyed in the ambush.

Khost Province:

Islamic State reportedly assassinated an element of the ‘National Directorate of Security’ in the city of Khost.

Badghis Province:

Reports suggest that 15 elements of the Afghan National Security Forces escaped from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s prison in the village of Omarzi Sang Ansh village in Muqur district. The elements then came in contact with the Afghan Border Police, which transported them to safety.

Ghazni Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 11 and wounded five elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Andar and Gelan districts.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assassinated Afghan National Police’s officer Nazir Ahmad at the outskirts of the city of Ghazni, after intercepting the officer’s vehicle. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized the vehicle along with military equipment.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ambushed and killed two elements of the Afghan National Army in Shalgar district.

Paktika Province:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan raided Afghan National Police’s post in Jani Khel district, wounding one policeman.

Farah Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed three and wounded one fighter of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Azizabad area of Farah district.

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

Urozgan Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed 18 and wounded two elements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Khas Urozgan district and hilly area of Shah Mansouri.

Helmand Province:

Afghan National Security Forces killed eight and wounded one element of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as well as destroyed eight fighting positions in Garmsir and Nad Ali districts.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan overran Afghan National Police’s checkpoint in Tori Shah area of Jerashk district, killing eight policemen and forcing the remaining elements to withdraw from the checkpoint. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized a PK machine gun, four assault rifles, and two light machine guns from the checkpoint.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s snipers targeted Afghan National Police’s checkpoint in Awpashak Manda area of Jerashk district, killing one and wounding one policeman.

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:

Egypt:

Islamic State’s sniper reportedly killed an element of the Egyptian Army at the entrance to Al-Sabil village, south of Al-Arish.

Somalia:

Islamic State’s fighters assassinated a member of the National Intelligence and Security Agency in Afgooye, Lower Shebelle province.

Other:

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