October 4, 2017
CTS Units in Hawija
TODAY’S MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
Iraq
Animosities continue over KRG independence referendum. [..]
Al-Jubouri trying to mediate referendum issue. [..]
Iraq declares campaign for Hawija successfully over. [..]
Syria
SOHR says Daesh finally out of Hama Province. [..]
Syrian Army trying to recover city of Qaryatayn in Homs. [..]
SDF continues advance in Deir Ez-Zor. [..]
High death toll alleged from Russian bombing in Mayadin. [..]
Libya
Daesh stages large suicide attack on Libyan court. [..]
REPORTS FROM IRAQ
NATIONAL NEWS
Iraqi PM Haidar Al-Abadi visited the French capital today, at the official invitation of France’s President Macron, to discuss the development of relationships between the two friendly countries. [ROJ]
Kurdish referendum issue
The US Ambassador to Iraq, Douglas Silliman, reiterated the US rejection of the Kurdistan referendum in his visit to Basra. Silliman also said, however, that the US advises against confrontational policies. [Buratha]
Baghdad. On Tuesday, PM Haidar Al-Abadi reiterated that in order to engage in dialogue with the Iraqi government, the KRG must cancel its referendum results. The KRG has refused this condition. Abadi mentioned a Kurdish proposal to postpone the referendum, adding that the Iraqi government insisted that the referendum be canceled, and any negotiations must be in accordance with the constitution. [IraqPress]
CoR Speaker, Salim Al-Jubouri confirmed on Tuesday that he is following through with bringing together all of the political parties to solve the crisis caused by the Kurdistan referendum. [Sumaria] He said
he intends to meet with Iraqi leaders and others from Kurdistan in order to reduce tension between Baghdad and Erbil. [BasNews]
Tuesday, despite calls for calm dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil, the Iraqi Council of Ministers voted to proceed with punitive measures against the Kurdistan region. [BasNews]
The Sumaria news agency published the CoR finance committee’s decision to stop financial transactions with Kurdistan as voted by the CoR on Tuesday. [Sumaria]
Representative of the State of Law bloc, Mansour Al-Baiji, said the Kurdish parliamentarians lost their membership in the Parliament, according to two articles of the constitution, saying that their coming to the parliament session would be a “constitutional violation.” [Sumaria]
A State of Law representative, Kadhim Al-Sayadi announced on Monday that he presented 102 signatures demanding Kurdish CoR members be denied entry to the CoR. He added that while the CoR Speaker, Salim Al-Jubouri, refused the petition, the Kurdish CoR members must pledge to not participate in the referendum and pledge that they support Iraqi unity. [Sumaria]
Representative Kadhim Sayadi called on the government to mobilize all of its resources to liberate northern Iraq from “Barzani’s militias and his faction.” [Sumaria]
Hassan Khallati, representative of the new National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikmah) established by Ammar Al-Hakim, reiterated on Tuesday the importance of refraining from discussing the Kurdistan referendum with KRG politicians, emphasizing that the referendum was non-binding. [Sumaria]
Tuesday evening PM Haidar Al-Abadi announced the resumption of humanitarian flights to Kurdistan and warned about the KRG’s “military mobilization” in Kirkuk. He expressed his rejection of imposing a status quo in disputed areas which should be under federal control, mentioning that he had already ordered the KRG to retreat from Ninewa in accordance with the constitution. Abadi also warned against the armed groups who are taking over the resources in those areas. [Sumaria] [IraqPress]
On Tuesday, Gorran representative, Masud Haidar, criticized the request by some CoR members to not allow the Kurdish representatives to enter the CoR. Haidar said that this mentality does not allow for nation-building, and added that the constitution and religious leadership ought to be the references for solving the political disputes. [Sumaria]
The representative of the Kurdistan Islamic Group, Ahmad Haji, said that on Tuesday the Kurdish representatives walked out of the CoR because Tuesday’s session’s introduction was provocative. [Sumaria]
On Tuesday, CoR representative of the Civil Movement, Faeq Al-Sheikh Ali, said the CoR has treated issues of separatism with double standards. [Sumaria]
Kurdistan Parliament member, Salar Mahmoud, said decisions of the CoR and the Iraqi government aimed at the people of Kurdistan are contrary to the constitution and work against the unity and stability of Iraq. He says these decisions close the door to dialogue. [Sumaria]
Iraqi PM Abadi called for a joint administration of Kirkuk and other areas disputed, with still having absolute authority under such an arrangement. [BasNews]
Turkmen CoR member, Jassem Mohammed Jafar, said on Tuesday that the KRG President, Masoud Barzani ordered the Peshmerga forces to open fire on the Iraqi security forces if the latter approached the oil wells in Kirkuk, adding that approaching the oil wells is an escalation and declaration of war by the national government. [Sumaria]
VP Nouri Al-Maliki met with the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad on Tuesday and reiterated the importance of coordinating the positions of Iraq, Turkey, and Iran to contain the Kurdistan aspiration for secession. He made a distinction between the Kurdish people and Barzani.
Turkey. Turkish President Erdogan says Turkey has taken action against the Kurdish referendum, pointing out that Iran, Iraq, and Turkey are ready to double their measures against “Northern Iraq.” [Sumaria]
Erdogan announced on Tuesday that he intends to impose more punitive measures against the KRG in the aftermath of the referendum. [Sumaria]
On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Cavusoglu, said he would mend the relationship between the KRG and Iraqi government on the condition that the KRG cancels the referendum. He added that Barzani’s administration can take steps to address the matter. Cavusoglu stressed that the border crossings be under Iraq’s control. [Sumaria]
The Islamic Union of Kurdistan is exerting efforts to influence Turkish President Erdogan’s position on the referendum, using connections with the Muslim Brotherhood, which Erdogan has strong ties to, to influence his negative opinion on the referendum. [BasNews]
Iran. Iran’s President Rouhani said the tripartite cooperation between Turkey, Iran, and Iraq came to bring more security to Iraqi Kurdistan, while calling on provincial officials to back down on the “wrong” decisions, referring to the referendum. [Sumaria]
The top military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Yahya Rahim Safavi, said there is a possibility of war with the Kurdistan region in the event geographical boundaries start to change.
On Wednesday, Safavi said “making changes to the borders in the region would mean the start of a long-term war between four countries and Kurdistan.” Safavi blamed the current tensions between Kurdistan and the Iraqi government on the US, Israel, and some Arab states. He added that Daesh was only 30 km (19 miles) away from Kurdistan and they would have seized it had Iran not intervened. [Sumaria] [Buratha]
Russia. Russian President Putin said Moscow has had close ties with the Kurds for a long time and that an oil embargo against Kurdistan will lead to higher oil prices internationally, something that many people will not like. [Sumaria]
Russia’s Minister of Energy, Alexander Valentinovich Novak, confirmed on Tuesday that Russian companies in Kurdistan are still operating. [BasNews]
Erbil. KRG spokesman, Safeen Dizayee, responded on Tuesday to PM Abadi’s office about engaging Baghdad and Erbil in a dialogue. He said canceling the referendum’s results is not as easy as the officials in Baghdad believe it to be. He added that canceling the referendum is up to the Kurdish voters, not politicians. [Sumaria]
The Kurdish-Syrian National Council and the KDP called on the Kurdish people abroad to protest in front of the American and European embassies and consulates throughout Europe in support of the Kurdistan referendum and in condemnation of the threat the Kurdish people received from the Iraqi government and neighboring countries. [BasNews]
Representatives from a large group of civil society organizations in the Kurdistan region organized a rally in front of the UN headquarters in Erbil, condemning the collective punishment and arbitrary measures against the Kurdistan region following the referendum. Participants at the rally launched colorful balloons to express the will of peace and democracy for the Kurdish people. [BasNews]
The Kurdistan flight ban put a damper on Suleimaniya’s film festival on Sunday. Many invitees were unable to attend and those who did attend were worried they might not be able to leave. Those who did attend were pleased by the welcome they received and were not concerned for their safety. [Rudaw]
The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Erbil responded to a statement by Al-Azhar in Egypt (one of Sunni Islam’s highest authorities) against the Kurdish referendum, saying the Kurds have protected many Iraqi and Syrian Sunnis and the Arab world has ignored the injustices the Kurds have suffered under the Iraqi government. [Rudaw]
The Coalition says it conducted 5 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq (near Rawa (2), Al-Qa’im (2), and Hawija (1)). [InherentResolve]
BAGHDAD
Security-related incidents reported
North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)
A security source says two people were killed and four others wounded in a vehicle bomb explosion in Husseiniya. [Sumaria]
Daesh says it detonated a parked car bomb near a Shia mosque in Husseiniya, killing or wounding twenty people. [ICDNOct4]
Daesh says it destroyed an Iraqi Army vehicle in the Dhabitiya area, wounding four soldiers inside. [DENOct3]
East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)
A civilian was killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on him near the Jamila wholesale market in Sadr City. [Sumaria]
South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)
The Ministry of Defense announced that military units found 2 Daesh hideouts along with a stash of explosives and explosive material in the Haramsha area. [Etejah]
Total Baghdad incidents reported: 4 (Includes only incidents reported)
Total IED incidents reported: 1
ANBAR
Falluja
A security source in Anbar reported on Wednesday that three civilians were killed in a booby-trapped house in the Nuaimiya area in southern Falluja. [Waradana]
Anah
On Wednesday, a security source reported that a Daesh drone was shot down in Anah. [Ghad]
Al-Qa’im
Iraqi intelligence reported the destruction of Daesh bases and warehouses of weapons and ammunition in airstrikes on Al-Qa’im. [Ghad]
A DaeshDaily source says Daesh executed 6 of its own members, including a commander, in Al-Qa’im after accusing them of communicating with Tribal PMFs. The source also says Daesh executed a woman publicly after accusing her of witchcraft.
Daesh deployed women at checkpoints in Al-Qa’im after some fighters fled to Syria. [Ghad]
A DaeshDaily source says Daesh moved the two Russian soldiers it captured in Deir Ez-Zor to Al-Qa’im.
SALAHUDDIN
Shirqat
The Salahuddin Operations Command announced the death of 29 terrorists in operations to clear the eastern plain of the Shirqat District. The command’s statement added that Daesh attacked Salahuddin Command fighters stationed on a defense line in the Harariyat and Baiji areas. Two Daesh hideouts were destroyed, killing everyone in them. Additional vehicles, rocket launchers, tunnels, and IEDs were destroyed by the EOD. A boat was found in Kan’ous and destroyed, killing everyone in it.
The statement also included a breakdown of the number of internally displaced families returning to each city in Salahuddin. A total of 143,372 internally displaced families returned to Salahuddin after passing security screenings. [Etejah]
Baiji
The IWMC announced on Wednesday the liberation of the Makhoul Mountains and Harariyat, and the seizure of the western bank of the Tigris river around the Al-Fatha bridge. [Baghdadia]
DaeshDaily comment. This story may sound victorious but it doesn’t make the Iraqi military look very good. Al-Fatha is close to Baiji and supposedly liberated long ago when Baiji was liberated. Iraq has issued countless stories reported here about all the Daesh fighters they were killing in the Makhoul Mountains. PMFs have supposedly been patrolling in this area for a long time. How many times can you liberate the same place?
Eastern Salahuddin (Al-Daur, Tooz)
A local source in Salahuddin reported unusual quiet in the Mtaibija area on Wednesday. The source said there were no reported Daesh activities or shelling in the past 24 hours. The source commented that Daesh lost its most prominent commanders in Mtaibija which led Daesh to revise the movements of its armed members. He added that infiltration from Hawija areas to Mtaibija has completely stopped the past three days after the paths were cut off, especially in the Himrin area. [Sumaria]
DIYALA
On Wednesday, the Diyala Police announced the arrest of 10 wanted suspects on terrorism and criminal counts in various areas of Diyala. [Sumaria]
Baquba/Southeast Diyala
Daesh says it killed an Intelligence Service member by detonating a sticky IED under his car in Baquba center. [DENOct3]
Daesh says it attacked 2 houses used for Shia ceremonies in Baquba city with hand grenades. [DENOct3]
On Wednesday, the Diyala Police announced the killing of a suicide bomber after cornering him in his vehicle east of Baquba. [Sumaria]
Muqdadiya/Abu Saida
Daesh says it killed three Iraqi Army soldiers and wounded two others, a captain and an EOD expert, in an ambush in the Luhaib area, near Muqdadiya. [DENOct3]
KIRKUK
The Turkish Red Crescent distributed food parcels and clothes to 350 displaced Turkmen families from Mosul and Tal Afar to Kirkuk province. [Anadolu]
Hawija liberation campaign
Kirkuk/Dibis
A Kirkuk police source reported on Wednesday that 400 to 500 Daesh terrorists have surrendered themselves to the Peshmerga since the launch of the Hawija liberation operation. [Baghdadia]
A DaeshDaily source says the former Daesh wali of Shirqat, Aby Okab Al-Jubouri, surrendered to Peshmerga units hours before Hawija was liberated.
The IWMC reported on Wednesday that Daesh members retreated on Wednesday noon from Dibis in the operation to liberate Riyadh and areas around Hawija. A Daesh pick-up truck carrying heavy weapons was destroyed, killing everyone in it. [IraqPress]
Daesh publishes photos of attacks on PMFs west of Dibis. [ICDNOct4]
Hawija (Riyadh, Al-Zab, etc.)
On Wednesday, the IWMC announced the deaths of 196 terrorists and liberation of 98 villages as the Hawija liberation operation comes to a conclusion. Hawija liberation operations commander, Abdul-Ameer Rasheed Yarallah reported the liberation of Rashad, the Rashad airport, and the Tikrit-Kirkuk road, with a total area of 2,400 sq km liberated. 196 Daesh members were killed. [Baghdadia]
Iraqi forces including PMFs took complete control of the Hawija Province center on Wednesday, according to the PMF media. Wednesday morning the security forces and the PMFs conducted a major operation to liberate the center of Riyadh and the villages and areas around it. [Buratha]
However, a security expert, Abdul Kareem Khalad, said on Wednesday that the battles in the center of the Hawija district are still ongoing. According to Khalad, Daesh gangs have been arrested and defeated, and Daesh is being fought on the northern outskirts of Qati’in. Khalad added that Daesh was threatening the two roads linking the north and south. [Forat]
A local source in Kirkuk reported on Wednesday that Daesh retreated from confrontations with the Iraqi forces in the Hawija vicinity. The source added, however, that Daesh proceeded to mass execute the Daesh groups who fled the battlefields. [Sumaria]
A local source in Kirkuk said that on Wednesday that 13 of Daesh’s leaders were killed in a Coalition airstrike in Hawija; one of them was in charge of the Diwan Beit Al-Mal (Finance). [Sumaria]
According to the PMF media, the Iraqi Air Force destroyed several Daesh locations in the center of Hawija in preparation for the invasion and liberation. [Forat]
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense reported that the Iraqi Air Force killed 25 terrorists and destroyed two-booby trapped vehicles and 4 other vehicles, as well as a Daesh hideout in Hawija. [Ghad]
The Ministry of Defense stated on Wednesday that the Iraqi Air Force struck Daesh targets at the Marsana Airport, destroying 2 vehicles, 3 shelter tents, a vehicle carrying ammunition, a pickup truck, a motorcycle, and a guesthouse, and killing 8 Daesh members. [Ghad]
The 3rd Brigade of the PMF liberated the Al-Ghaziya village west of Hawija center and the brigade proceeded to cross the district’s borders, according to the PMF media. [PressIraq]
The PMF’s 4th Brigade liberated the Nafila village west of Hawija center from Daesh on Wednesday morning, according to the PMF media. [PressIraq]
The IWMC reported the liberation of the Nayef Ibrahim and Saidiya villages west of Hawija on Wednesday morning. [IraqPress]
The Hawija liberation operations command, Gen. Abdul Ameer Rasheed Yarallah, said in a statement that the Federal Police, Rapid Response, and PMFs liberated Bureij village and now control the eastern side of the Al-Fatha Bridge. [IraqPress]
Wednesday, PMF and security forces found several Daesh locations and warehouses in clearing operations in the Hawija province and bombed a booby-trapped car, according to the PMF media. [PressIraq]
The Iraqi forces liberated the Rafi’a village south of Riyadh and proceeded to clear the area of all what was left by Daesh. [IraqPress]
On Wednesday, the PMF destroyed a Daesh vehicle carrying heavy weapons, killing everyone in it east of Riyadh, according to the PMF media. [PressIraq]
The PMF announced the death of a photojournalist named Hamza Al-Aboudi and said two other journalists were injured in the Hawija operations. [Sumaria]
The PMF announced that it found two mass graves of security forces and civilians, including women and children, killed by Daesh in areas southwest of Hawija. [Waradana] The IWMC added that there are many more mass graves that will be reported later. [Etejah]
The Ministry of Interior reported that on Thursday, it will be showing documents belonging to Daesh in a press conference. The Ministry will also announce new instructions pertaining to vehicle registration plates. [Forat]
NINEWA
Southern Ninewa
Hatra
A DaeshDaily source says PMFs blew up the houses of 6 Daesh terrorists in Hatra. The source sent photos of the destroyed houses.
Western Ninewa
Baaj
Daesh publishes photos of an attack on PMF positions near the Syrian border in Baaj. [ICDNOct4]
KURDISTAN
[See stories under National News]
REPORTS FROM TURKEY
Security sources say Turkish authorities arrested a Syrian citizen on suspicion of belonging to a terrorist organization. [Anadolu]
A Turkish news agency published the details of the discussions between Turkish President, Erdogan, and Russian counterpart, Putin, in Ankara last week. According to the news agency, the two presidents agreed on the impossibility of allowing Kurdish independence. [Buratha]
Turkish authorities announced the arrest of a high level Daesh leader, named Haidar Kareem, also known as “Abu Yousef”, who had been recorded as dead in Iraq. The authorities found nearly 40 forged personal identification cards in his residence. The Saqarya court charged him with committing mass murder, belonging to a terrorist group, and attempting to overthrow the constitution. Haidar Kareem participated in Al-Qaeda activities in 2011 before joining Daesh in Anbar. [Sumaria]
DaeshDaily comment. We have occasionally commented on the frequency with which Daesh members whose deaths they announce later show up alive somewhere else. The purpose of this misdirection play is to cause law enforcement to stop looking for them.
REPORTS FROM SYRIA
The Hawar news agency reports the water level of the Euphrates River has decreased due to Turkey’s intention to completely cut off water to Syria, threatening the lives of thousands of civilians in northern Syria. This threatens agriculture and could cause power outages. [Hawar]
Wednesday, the Syrian Islamic Council, a Syrian group based in Turkey, condemned the brutal massacres of civilians in Raqqa and Deir Ez-Zor, calling on international and humanitarian organizations, especially the UN, to act to stop it. [Dorar]
Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, accused the US-led Coalition of orchestrating deadly provocations against the Russian and Syrian forces, saying the activities of the US forces in Syria raise many questions. [Dorar]
DaeshDaily comment. Of course, the activities of the Russian units in Syria raise no questions at all, except perhaps at the funerals of the innocent civilians they helped Assad to kill.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s position on resolving the crisis in Syria through dialogue and on the basis of the UN Security Council resolution 2254, stressing that Syria’s future must be determined by the Syrian people alone. [SyriaNow]
DaeshDaily comment. Does he really mean that? Someone please ask Mr. Lavrov if that means a free and independently conducted election.
Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, said the main obstacle to eliminating Daesh in Syria isn’t Daesh’s combat capabilities; it’s the United States. [SyriaNow]
Israel’s Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, says Bashar Al-Assad has won the war in Syria and there is a long line of countries applauding him. [SyriaNow] [TimesofIsrael]
Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday that “efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Syria to European courts are bearing fruit.” [Dorar]
The Syrian government’s Foreign Ministry demanded that citizens who left Syria illegally check Syrian embassies in their country of residence in order to submit requests for settlement of their assets. [EnabBaladi]
During September, Zaman Al-Wasl documented the deaths of 160 members of the Syrian Army and its loyal militias, including 27 officers. Zaman Al-Wasl documented 179 deaths in August. Most of these soldiers were killed in Homs, Hama, and Deir Ez-Zor. [ZamanAlWasl]
Hezbollah announced it has lost 31 fighters since May. 23 of its fighters were killed in attacks on positions of the Syrian Army in Daesh’s “Abu Muhammad Al-Adani” attack. [Arabi21]
The Coalition says it conducted 34 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria (near Raqqa (30), Deir Ez-Zor (3), and Albu Kamal (1)). [InherentResolve]
Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)
Hasaka
Wednesday, the SDF announced it made progress at Daesh’s expense in the Hasaka countryside, saying the SDF advanced 2 km in the center of Markada city and have taken control of 10 farms. [Dorar]
Raqqa
Raqqa city
The Hawar news agency reports the SDF killed 11 Daesh terrorists in Raqqa and destroyed a vehicle bomb near the National Hospital. [Hawar]
Qasioun reports clashes are ongoing in the Al-Firdaws neighborhood, on Tal Abyad Street, and at the electrical plant. Activists have documented 70 airstrikes on Daesh-controlled neighborhoods since yesterday morning, in which Qasioun alleges that dozens of civilians were killed or wounded. [Qasioun]
The SDF media center says the SDF killed 13 Daesh terrorists during fierce fighting in the Al-Nahdha neighborhood. [Qasioun]
Tuesday, Coalition airstrikes allegedly killed 21 civilians and wounded 14 others in an airstrike on a water well in the northwest of the city. [Dorar] [SyriaNow]
Daesh says thirteen people were killed in an “American” bombing on a well in north Raqqa. [DENOct3]
Daesh says it killed 27 SDF fighters in different areas in Raqqa. [DENOct3]
South of Raqqa
Local sources say a Daesh sleeper cell launched a surprise attack on Syrian government forces in the villages of Albu Hamad and Ghanim Al-Ali, southeast of Raqqa. [Qasioun]
Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)
Aleppo/Idlib/Deir Hafer
The Hawar news agency reported the Turkish Army, stationed south of Jarabulus, has been shelling the village of Tal Al-Abar continuously since last night. [Hawar]
The Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman detailed what the Ministry called a “special operation” which killed 60 Tahrir Al-Sham (Nusra) fighters, including 12 leaders, and wounded the Nusra commander Abu Muhammad Al-Julani. [Hawar] [ZamanAlWasl]
Tahrir Al-Sham’s media denies this report and says General Abu Muhammad Al-Julani was not injured in the Russian bombing. Tahrir Al-Sham says the general is in good health and there was no meeting of Tahrir Al-Sham leaders as Russia claims. [Dorar] Tahrir Al-Sham did not comment on the validity of the reports about the Russian strike, which Russia says killed 12 field commanders. [Arabi21]
Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister, Mawlood Jawish Oglu, unveiled efforts to isolate factions opposed to the Astana 6 tension reduction zones deal on Idlib. Oglu said Ankara is seeking to remove fighters from armed factions, especially from Tahrir Al-Sham, which it considers to be the most radical faction in Idlib, adding, the move is aimed at implementing a deal to ease violence in Idlib. [Dorar]
SOHR says a number of artillery shells hit Al-Ayes town south of Aleppo. [SyriaHR]
SOHR learned the Syrian Army bombed areas of Al-Zabra town in the southern suburbs of Aleppo. [SyriaHR]
Central and West (Homs, Hama, etc.)
Hama
SOHR says that after 3 years of control, Daesh has finally been fully expelled from Hama. [SyriaHR]
According to Syrian government reports, the Syrian government forces took complete control of the villages and towns of the Aqairbat subdistrict in Salamiyah. The source pointed to an agreement that was reached between the Syrian Army and Daesh, without revealing any details. [Qasioun]
SOHR says Syrian government forces shelled areas of Hasariya village in northern Hama. [SyriaHR]
SOHR learned the Syrian Army shelled the northern suburbs of Hama, killing 3 civilians in Kafr Zita. [SyriaHR]
Homs
According to Syrian government media, the Syrian Army and its supporting militias have extended military reinforcements to eastern Homs to try to regain control of Qaryatayn city. The Syrian Army made an offer to Daesh, but Daesh rejected the offer. [Qasioun]
Daesh says it attacked government forces near Qaryatayn, capturing more areas including a dam and 7 mountains. [ICDNOct4]
Lebanese news revealed that the airstrike that targeted Hezbollah east of Homs two days ago was Russian and 30 people died. [Qasioun]
Hezbollah announced on Tuesday that the head of operations in the party’s Intervention Unit, Abbas Al-Ashaq, died in a land mine explosion in the Syrian Badia. [Qasioun]
About 400 people were killed in one week of heavy fighting in the Syrian Badia between the Syrian government forces and Daesh. [SyriaHR]
The Negotiating body of Northern Homs announced on Wednesday the signing of a ceasefire agreement with a Russian delegation that includes opening humanitarian crossings and the study of the Syrian Army’s detainee’s files. [Dorar]
SOHR says fighting continues between the Syrian government forces and Daesh in Al-Sukhnah, where Daesh was able to make new progress, controlling points in the center of the Hail oilfields, and the Al-Taiba town and Al-Dahuk mountain in northern Sukhnah. [SyriaHR]
Daesh says it attacked government forces on the road between Sukhnah and Taiba, killing or wounding Syrian soldiers and capturing 4 military positions. [ICDNOct4]
East (Deir Ez-Zor)
Deir Ez-Zor
SDF offensive
The Hawar news agency reports strong clashes broke out between the SDF and Daesh in the Tal Kasri Al-Fuqani village, during which the SDF captured 2 Daesh fighters. [Hawar]
The Hawar news agency reports the SDF has liberated 4 more villages and killed 20 Daesh terrorists. The villages are being swept by EOD teams. [Hawar]
Hawar reports the SDF has captured 10 farms and has killed 5 Daesh terrorists. The SDF also seized Daesh weapons and drones and currently has the Al-Harmushiya village surrounded. [Hawar]
Daesh says it destroyed an SDF truck with an IED on the road between Al-Sur and Al-Salhiya, killing the fighters inside. It also says it targeted Al-Sur with 25 mortars. [DENOct3]
Qasioun reports the SDF took control of Al-Kasra town, which was the biggest Daesh stronghold in the western Deir Ez-Zor countryside. Daesh is relegated to the villages and towns of Shafra, Safira, Mahmida, and Al-Salu. [Qasioun]
Syrian Army offensive
The Qasioun news agency reports the Syrian government forces launched a large-scale attack on Al-Salu, in the eastern suburbs of Deir Ez-Zor. [Qasioun]
By one estimate, Syrian, Russian, and Coalition air raids have forced around 180,000 people to flee Deir Ez-Zor to safer areas. [EnabBaladi]
SOHR says that yesterday 33 members of the Syrian Army and its supporting militias were killed. 30 civilians were killed in Syrian aerial bombardments and shelling. A Syrian Army sniper killed three civilians as they were trying to enter the Madhloum village. [SyriaHR]
Daesh says its snipers killed seven Syrian soldiers and wounded two in Madhloum village. It also says it targeted the village with 50 mortars. [DENOct3]
Daesh publishes photos of shelling government forces’ positions in Hay Al-Rusafa in Deir Ez-Zor city. [ICDNOct3]
Mayadin
Local sources say 50 civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in a Russian airstrike on Al-Ashara city in Mayadin. Sources say the air strikes targeted civilians trying to cross the Euphrates river to flee to northeastern Deir Ez-Zor. Qasioun alleges that the Russian airstrikes on eastern Deir Ez-Zor have claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians in the past few days alone. [Qasioun]
According to another account, local sources say a Russian airstrike massacred dozens of civilians at a river crossing as people were trying to cross from Mayadin to Al-Ashara. [Dorar]
Syrian government media reports the Syrian government forces are progressing towards Mayadin, a Daesh’s stronghold in Deir Ez-Zor. [EnabBaladi]
South
Damascus/Rif Damashq
SOHR says the Syrian Army continues to advance in southeastern Damascus at the expense of Jaish Usud Al-Sharqiya, where clashes have resulted in human losses and the Syrian Army has restored government control over nine new border posts, including 5 border points with Jordan. [SyriaHR]
SOHR says a rocket propelled grenade hit the eastern part of the capital. On the outskirts of the capital, Syrian helicopters bombed the area of Beit Jinn. [SyriaHR]
OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS
North Africa
Egypt
A security source says two civilians were killed and three others wounded Tuesday evening by unidentified gunmen in northern Sinai. [ElWatan]
Libya
A local source says three suicide bombers carried out an attack in Misrata city center in Libya, killing four people and wounding 20 others. [AfriGate]
Another report says two suicide bombers carried out an attack on a court compound in Misrata and another suicide bomber was foiled. Four people were killed in the attack and 41 were wounded. [Libya24]
A judicial source says among the victims of the suicide bombing in Misrata was a Sirte prosecutor. Daesh has claimed responsibility for the attack. [Wasat]
Several sources confirm the attack in Misrata coincided with a trial of Daesh members being held inside the compound. There are conflicting reports as to the number of suicide bombers in the attack in Misrata. Eyewitnesses confirm that 2 suicide terrorists blew themselves up inside the compound. Other sources say only one blew himself up, on the ground floor of the building, and the other attackers were killed on the second and third floors. [Wasat]
According to Libyan sources, armed Daesh members carried out an attack on the Misrata court complex on Wednesday. Two suicide bombers set themselves off after their ammunition was depleted as they clashed with security personnel. The attack resulted in 4 deaths and about 15 injuries. [Sumaria]
Daesh says 2 of its suicide terrorists, one of them Tunisian, attacked the court compound in Misrata and detonated their explosives vests after “violent clashes,” killing or wounding fifty people. [ICDNOct4]
REPORTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
Russia
President Putin is calling for the immediate detection and neutralization of foreign terrorists returning home from Syria and Iraq. [SyriaNow]
The head of Russia’s Federal Security, Alexander Bortnikov, reported on Wednesday that terrorists who have fought in Iraq and Syria have learned how to manufacture and use chemical weapons. He added that the losses terrorists are incurring in Iraq and Syria are pushing them to establish a new global “terrorist network”. Bortnikov added that terrorist leaders have formed strong ties and organized ethnic terrorist groups in Europe and Russia, which supplies them with weapons and forged vital records. [Sumaria]
SOCIAL MEDIA
Videos of the Day
Iraq
Hawija civilians welcome Iraqi forces. [Al-Aan]
Daesh terrorists surrender to Iraqi forces in Hawija. [YouTube]
IFP units cross the Al-Zab River towards Hawija. [YouTube]
Iraqi soldiers stop a Daesh attack near Hawija. [YouTube]
Iraqi forces destroy a Daesh vehicle bomb near Hawija. [YouTube]
DAESH MEDIA
Daesh audio newsletter for today [Bayan]
Daesh issues a propaganda video about its foreign terrorists in west Anbar. [ICDNOct4]
