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Link is to official rebel infographic, so its an official rebel claim
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| casualties1 = First phase: 50 killed and 50 wounded <small>(SAA claim)</small><ref name="risky">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/risky-east-damascus-offensive-costs-ahrar-al-sham-fsa-100-combatants/|title=Risky east Damascus offensive costs Ahrar Al-Sham, FSA over 100 combatants|date=20 November 2017|publisher=Al-Masdar|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref>
| casualties1 = First phase: 50 killed and 50 wounded <small>(SAA claim)</small><ref name="risky">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/risky-east-damascus-offensive-costs-ahrar-al-sham-fsa-100-combatants/|title=Risky east Damascus offensive costs Ahrar Al-Sham, FSA over 100 combatants|date=20 November 2017|publisher=Al-Masdar|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref>
Second phase: 45+ killed (pro-rebel claim)<ref name="45rebels"/>
Second phase: 45+ killed (pro-rebel claim)<ref name="45rebels"/>
| casualties2 = First phase: 54–100 killed <small>(pro-rebel claims)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=79085|title=During a week of the military escalation in the Eastern Ghouta…87 civilian casualties and more than 350 wounded in successive massacres took place by shelling by about 1275 missiles, shells and raids|publisher=|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Reporting|first1=Fox|title=E.#Damascus: Latest infographic by the official OP room of the offensive in #Harasta.- 100 Regime fighters killed, Including the Deputy Director of the VMB & a number of high-ranking officers.-Seize a 23MM cannon & a number of vehicles,Light and medium weapons & ammo./1pic.twitter.com/cjSTcbYJQE|url=https://twitter.com/Desert61Fox/status/931935205526523904|website=@Desert61Fox|accessdate=21 November 2017|language=en|date=18 November 2017}}</ref>{{better source|Twitter|date=January 2018}}
| casualties2 = First phase: 54–100 killed <small>(pro-rebel claims)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=79085|title=During a week of the military escalation in the Eastern Ghouta…87 civilian casualties and more than 350 wounded in successive massacres took place by shelling by about 1275 missiles, shells and raids|publisher=|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Reporting|first1=Fox|title=E.#Damascus: Latest infographic by the official OP room of the offensive in #Harasta.- 100 Regime fighters killed, Including the Deputy Director of the VMB & a number of high-ranking officers.-Seize a 23MM cannon & a number of vehicles,Light and medium weapons & ammo./1pic.twitter.com/cjSTcbYJQE|url=https://twitter.com/Desert61Fox/status/931935205526523904|website=@Desert61Fox|accessdate=21 November 2017|language=en|date=18 November 2017}}</ref>
Second phase: 47+ killed (SAA claim)<ref name="47dead"/><br>10+ captured<ref name="10captured">{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=81989|title=6 days of escalating the shelling and the violent fighting in the Eastern Ghouta kills about 140 citizens, fighters and members|date=3 January 2018|publisher=SOHR|accessdate=3 January 2018}}</ref>
Second phase: 47+ killed (SAA claim)<ref name="47dead"/><br>10+ captured<ref name="10captured">{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=81989|title=6 days of escalating the shelling and the violent fighting in the Eastern Ghouta kills about 140 citizens, fighters and members|date=3 January 2018|publisher=SOHR|accessdate=3 January 2018}}</ref>
| casualties3 = 290+ civilians killed and wounded<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=81949|title=More injuries raise the number of people killed and injured to about 29, in targeting in the capital and its suburbs|publisher= SOHR|accessdate=2 January 2018}}</ref>
| casualties3 = 290+ civilians killed and wounded<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=81949|title=More injuries raise the number of people killed and injured to about 29, in targeting in the capital and its suburbs|publisher= SOHR|accessdate=2 January 2018}}</ref>

Revision as of 17:03, 5 January 2018

Battle of Harasta (2017–present)
Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign (Syrian Civil War)
DateFirst phase: 14 November – 25 November 2017
(1 week and 4 days)
Second phase: 29 December 2017 – present
(6 years, 6 months and 6 days)
Location
Harasta, Damascus and Rif Damascus, Syria
Result

Ongoing

  • Rebels besiege the Harasta vehicle base[2]
Belligerents
Ahrar al-Sham[1]
Al-Rahman Legion[2]
File:Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg Tahrir al-Sham[3]

Syrian Arab Republic

Russia[4]
Commanders and leaders

Saleh ‘Antar †
(commander of Ahrar al-Sham forces in Harasta)[5][better source needed]
Abu Thaer Sawan †
(al-Rahman Legion's 10th Brigade commander)[6][better source needed]
File:Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg Abu Muhammad bin Laden †[7]
(Tahrir al-Sham commander)

File:Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg Abu Omar †[7]
(Tahrir al-Sham commander)
Hassan Al-Boshi †
(al-Rahman Legion's 10th Field commander in Harasta )[8][better source needed]

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Nayouf
(Republican Guard's 105th Brigade commander)[9]
Maj. Gen. Walid Khawashqi †[10]
Brig. Gen. Ali Badran †
(Special Forces Commander)[11][better source needed]
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Jenad †[3][12][better source needed]
Brig. Gen. Ali Diyub  †(Republican Guard's 138th Armored Regiment commander)[3][13]
Brig. Gen. Habib Mehrez Yunus †[3][14][better source needed]
Brig. Gen. Muhsin Baaiti  (WIA)
Maj. Gen. Hassan al-Kurdi (WIA)[15]

Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Yunus †[7]
(Republican Guard 402nd Battalion commander)
Units involved
Unknown
Casualties and losses

First phase: 50 killed and 50 wounded (SAA claim)[19]

Second phase: 45+ killed (pro-rebel claim)[20]

First phase: 54–100 killed (pro-rebel claims)[21][22]

Second phase: 47+ killed (SAA claim)[23]
10+ captured[3]
290+ civilians killed and wounded[24]

The Battle of Harasta code named as the battle of "They Were Wronged" by the rebels,[25] is a military operation launched by Syrian rebels against positions of the Syrian Arab Army in Harasta, a northeastern suburb of Damascus, and the Armored Vehicle Base.

Background

Harasta in the eastern Ghouta has been a rebel-held city at several stages in the Syrian Civil War, despite its proximity to the capital. After the government's victory in Eastern Aleppo in late 2016, however, its forces turned their attention to the Damascus suburbs, for instance targeting Wadi Barada, and in particular seeking to move into the eastern Ghouta (see Qaboun offensive (2017)).[26] During the East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2017), rebel groups Tahrir al-Sham, Ahrar Al-Sham, Jaysh al-Islam and Free Syrian Army-affiliated al-Rahman Legion vied for control of the area. This fighting came to an end in the late spring. On 22 July 2017, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a de-escalation agreement had been signed for Eastern Ghouta following talks between Russian military officials and Jaysh al Islam.[27] On 16 August 16, a Failaq al Rahman representative and a Russian representative signed an agreement that established Failaq al Rahman’s inclusion in the de-escalation zone, to come into effect on August 18.[27] However, SOHR reported that government bombing resumed in Eastern Ghouta on 27 September 2017.[28] According to the UN and Human Rights Watch, from late October and during most of November 2017, hostilities intensified, with frequent reports of shelling on several densely populated areas of eastern Ghouta, targeting Harasta (including one reported strike on a kindergarten on 6 November[29]), as well as Ein Tarma, Jobar and Kafr Batna.[30][31][32] The World Health Organization reported that from 14 to 17 November, 84 people were killed and 659 injured, including hundreds of women and children.[30]

The offensive

First phase

On 14 November 2017, rebel forces, led by Ahrar al-Sham, launched an assault against the Syrian Army positions in Base 46 and Police Housing area of Harasta suburb. Shortly after, they captured an army outpost and killed Major General Walid Khawashqi.[33] Two points within the perimeter of the base were captured by the militants on the morning of 15 November, but, according to pro-government sources, were regained by the army in the evening amid airstrikes on rebel positions conducted by the Russian Air Force.[34][35] The rebel attack was considered by the Syrian government to be a violation of the Russian-broked de-escalation zones put in place in May.[34][35] In retaliatory attacks, Reuters reported that aerial strikes and shelling hit Harasta, Irbin, Misraba, Hamouriya, and Saqba towns in Eastern Ghouta with at least eight civilians killed and about 94 wounded in the first 20 hours.[34]

On 16 November, a rebel attack was launched on the Armoured Vehicle base.[36] Government sources claimed the attack was repelled, but according to social Ahrar al-Sham released videos showing their presence within the base.[37][better source needed] Later in the day, the Ahrar al-Sham captured a command post near Regiment 46 base.[38] Apparently in relation for the Ahrar al-Sham attack, the government conducted aerial bombardment of rebel-held areas, according to an ADP photographer and opposition sources.[36]

On 25 November, all of the areas captured by the rebels were reported by pro-government sources to have been retaken by government forces,[39] but the rebels claimed they repelled the army's attack on their positions inside the base.[40] Government aircraft were reported to have bombed a crowded public market in Misraba, 1.5 km to the east, as part of its counterattack on rebel positions, killing at least 16 civilians.[41] By this time, SOHR reported that at least 127 people, including 30 children, had been killed by air strikes and shelling in the offensive.[42]

Harasta and other rebel-held parts of the eastern Ghouta were considered to be in humanitarian crisis due to the government siege. Residents were "so short of food that they are eating trash, fainting from hunger and forcing their children to eat on alternate days", the U.N. World Food Programme said.[42] On 6 December, the World Health Organization reported nearly 500 sick and wounded patients still await medical evacuation from eastern Ghouta, which the Syrian government had not granted.[43] Several Syrian and Russian airstrikes on densely populated areas were reported in this period in connection with the Harasta fighting,[31] including one on Harasta on 3 December in which children were reportedly killed[44] and one on a marketplace in nearby Hamoriya the same day.[45]

Second phase

On 29 December 2017, Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) commenced a second phase of the rebel offensive by launching a VBIED at Army positions in Harasta.[46] Later in the day, the rebels claimed they took more positions in the Vehicle Base.[47] Pro-rebel sources reported Ahrar al-Sham, HTS and Al-Rahman Legion seized over 50 buildings to the west of the base and besieged it, cutting off all supply lines.[2][48] Pro-government forces reported 47 SAA and NDF dead in the ongoing offensive and that reinforcements from "various pro-government formations (army and paramilitary)" were being sent to the frontline.[23] On 30 December, a paramedic working for a hospital in Harasta was killed as a result of artillery shelling.[49] On 31 December, a primary health care center in Haratsa was impacted by an airstrike, resulting in minor structural damage.[49]

On 1 January, fighting raged around the municipal building for hours after rebels reportedly detonated a second VBIED.[50] By the end of the day, the Syrian Army said it had recaptured the Harasta bus station and pushed rebel forces back from the municipal building, while reportedly killing "tens" of rebels,[50] assisted by over a dozen airstrikes.[51] Opposition forces reported government forces trapped inside a military installation; Ahrar al-Sham said it was negotiating with the government for a passage out for the trapped forces.[51] According to opposition sources, at least 34 rebels were killed and tens wounded from both sides since the beginning of the second phase. Pro-government and Russian bombings killed at least 36 civilians and wounded many more in rebel controlled Harasta as well.[52] On 2 January, the Syrian Army reportedly recaptured four blocks near the municipal building and were pushing towards the Al-Barazi hospital.[53] However, according to opposition sources, rebels were still trying to capture the vehicle base and municipal building, despite heavy artillery and airstrikes,[20] while Reuters reported Ahrar al-Sham had widened its control of the army base.[54]

On 3 January, the Syrian Army and Russian jets escalated bombing of rebel-held areas, to relieve the 200 troops believed trapped in the base.[54][55] On 4 January, the Syrian Army began their counter offensive to relieve the siege on the armoured vehicle base. This began with heavy air strikes on rebel troops, which reportedly destroyed a rebel headquarters. Multiple sources have stated that the government had recaptured "dozens of buildings" and that the Syrian Army advanced up to 400 metres away from the vehicle base.[56] [57]

References

  1. ^ "Russia, Syria armies step up attacks on Damascus enclave-rebels". Reuters. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c ""An attack by the largest 3 factions in Al-Ghouta to impose a siege on the regime forces in the Vehicle Department and an advancement by Tahrir Al-Sham and Ahrar Al-Sham increases their scope of control to 50 buildings in the outskirts of Harasta". SOHR. 31 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "6 days of escalating the shelling and the violent fighting in the Eastern Ghouta kills about 140 citizens, fighters and members". SOHR. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Russian warplanes launch their first airstrikes in months over east Damascus". Al Masdar News. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Ahrar Al-Sham's top commander killed in east Damascus". AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  6. ^ Mudiq, Qalaat Al. "#Pt. Abu Thaer Sawan, commander of Faylaq Rahman's 10th Brigade died from wounds sustained on front of Armored Vehicle Base in #Harasta.pic.twitter.com/6e0f8m2AqV". Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d Joško Barić (3 January 2018). "Syrian War Daily – 3rd of January 2018". Syrian War Daily.
  8. ^ "Islamist rebels admit heavy losses in east Damascus". Al Masdar News. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Syrian command announces new leader of Republican Guard in east Damascus". Al Masdar News. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Islamist rebels attack Army base near Damascus in latest breach [+ Video]". Al Masdar News. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  11. ^ Mudiq, Qalaat Al (26 November 2017). "#Pt. Rebels killed the 2nd General in 2 weeks in #Harasta Battle. Brig. General Ali Badran was from #Tartus province & commander of Special Forces.pic.twitter.com/M7BCrvnF4C". @QalaatAlMudiq.
  12. ^ Mudiq, Qalaat Al (30 December 2017). "E. #Damascus: Rebels killed yesterday Brig. General Mohamed Jenad along with several fighters in #Harasta after attack carried out on HQ of Vehicle Base. Today Ahrar Sham seized a BMP.pic.twitter.com/YpHvkvpkPS". @QalaatAlMudiq.
  13. ^ "استشهاد العميد علي ديوب قائد الفوج ١٣٨ دبابات ً حرس جمهوري ً". 1 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  14. ^ Sidorenko, Ivan (2 January 2018). "#Syria #Harasta Martyrdom of the heroic brigadier general Habib Mehrez Younes". Retrieved 2 January 2018. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 58 (help)
  15. ^ Sidorenko, Ivan (31 December 2017). "#Syria #Damascus #EastGhouta #EasternGhouta #Harasta - Wounding of Major Hasan al Kurdi and Colonel Muhsin Baaiti in clashes with takfiris and terrorists in vehicle managementpic.twitter.com/jjxj1m9IpM". Retrieved 1 January 2018.[better source needed]
  16. ^ "Syrian military 4th Armoured Division Send Massive Reinforcements To Eastern Damascus District - Muraselon". 1 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Pictures: Syrian Army floods east Damascus with massive reinforcements to annihilate jihadist offensive". al-Masdar. 01 January 2018. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/949250285658169346
  19. ^ "Risky east Damascus offensive costs Ahrar Al-Sham, FSA over 100 combatants". Al-Masdar. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  20. ^ a b "Ongoing and violent battles take place between the regime forces and the factions of the Ghouta and the latter seek to advance amid missiles and aerial shelling". SOHR. 2 January 2018.
  21. ^ "During a week of the military escalation in the Eastern Ghouta…87 civilian casualties and more than 350 wounded in successive massacres took place by shelling by about 1275 missiles, shells and raids". Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  22. ^ Reporting, Fox (18 November 2017). "E.#Damascus: Latest infographic by the official OP room of the offensive in #Harasta.- 100 Regime fighters killed, Including the Deputy Director of the VMB & a number of high-ranking officers.-Seize a 23MM cannon & a number of vehicles,Light and medium weapons & ammo./1pic.twitter.com/cjSTcbYJQE". @Desert61Fox. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  23. ^ a b "Syrian forces endure terrible losses in east Damascus amid ongoing Nusra-led offensive". al-Masdar. 1 January 2018.
  24. ^ "More injuries raise the number of people killed and injured to about 29, in targeting in the capital and its suburbs". SOHR. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  25. ^ "The Regime's Airforce Shells its Own Forces by Mistake in Harasta - Revolutionary Forces of Syria media office". Revolutionary Forces of Syria media office. 16 November 2017.
  26. ^ Hiba Dlewati "Years-Long Truces End As Government Tightens Control on Damascus" Syria Deeply, 18 May 2017
  27. ^ a b No less than 534 Barrel Bombs in October 2017, Syrian Network for Human Rights, 9 November 2017
  28. ^ More casualties raise the death toll to 4 persons after the first bombing on the Eastern Ghouta after stopping lasted for two months, SOHR, 27/09/2017
  29. ^ Eight children dead, scores injured after mortar shell strikes East Ghouta kindergarten, SyriaDirect, 6 November 2017
  30. ^ a b Syria: Factsheet - East Ghouta (8 December 2017),REPORT from UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Published on 08 Dec 2017
  31. ^ a b Syria/Russia: Airstrikes, Siege Killing Civilians, HRW, 22 December 2017
  32. ^ AP, Syrian activists say four children were killed in government shelling, LA Times, 31 October 2017
  33. ^ "Islamist rebels attack Army base near Damascus in latest breach [+ Video]". AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  34. ^ a b c "Russia, Syria armies step up attacks on Damascus enclave-rebels". Reuters. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  35. ^ a b "Syrian Aramy wins back all lost turf in east Damascus, gears up for counter-offensive". AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  36. ^ a b AFP, Syria: at least 14 civilians killed in air strikes by government forces, Guardian, 18 November 2017
  37. ^ "Ahrar Al-Sham Advance In Eastern Ghouta Results In Failure (Photos, Videos, Map)". SouthFront blog. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  38. ^ "Ahrar Al-Sham advances towards strategic east Damascus base after seizing SAA command post". AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  39. ^ "Syrian Army defeats Ahrar Al-Sham's offensive at strategic base in east Damascus – video". AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 25 November 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  40. ^ ""بأنهم ظلموا" تعلن صدّ هجوم النظام بريف دمشق - شبكة بلدي الإعلامية" (in Arabic).
  41. ^ Warplanes bomb crowded market in besieged Damascus suburbs, killing at least 16, SyriaDirect, 26 November 2017
  42. ^ a b Syrian government push for Damascus rebel enclave kills at least 23, Reuters, 26 November 2017
  43. ^ WHO says 480 need to be evacuated from Damascus suburb with worst malnutrition, Reuters, 6 December 2017
  44. ^ Reuters, Children Among dead as air strikes pound Damascus, 3 December 2017
  45. ^ Syrian, Russian jets bomb residential areas in eastern Ghouta: witnesses, monitor, Reuters, 4 December 2017
  46. ^ "Syrian Army driven back in east Damascus by joint Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham offensive". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 29 December 2017.
  47. ^ "قيادي في معركة "بأنهم ظُلموا" لـ "نداء سوريا" : سيطرنا على مواقع جديدة في إدارة المركبات بحرستا". نداء سوريا. 29 December 2017.
  48. ^ ""Casualties Among Syrian Regime In Rif Dimashq And Intense Shelling Hit Eastern Ghouta". Qasioun News. 1 January 2018.
  49. ^ a b Hospitals Attacked During Holiday Season, 11 Attacks in Wave Of Violence, ReliefWeb 3 January 2018
  50. ^ a b "Islamist offensive takes disastrous turn after storming strategic base in East Ghouta". al-Masdar. 1 January 2018.
  51. ^ a b State media says Syrian president reshuffles government, AP, 1 January 2018
  52. ^ "The factions' attack continue violently in Vehicle Department and near Harasta city with the arrival of reinforcement to the factions and the death toll rises to at least 100". SOHR. 1 January 2018.
  53. ^ "Syrian Army takes the battle to Ahrar Al-Sham near strategic East Ghouta base (video)". al-Masdar. 2 January 2018.
  54. ^ a b Syrian army preparing assault to end rebel siege of base east of capital, Reuters, 3 January 2018
  55. ^ Zeina Khodr Government air raids intensify in Syria's Eastern Ghouta, Al-Jazeera, 3 Jan 2018
  56. ^ "Government Forces Counter-Attack To Break Ahrar al-Sham Siege On Armored Vehicles Base (Map, Photos, Video)". South Front. 4 January 2018.
  57. ^ "Breaking: Syrian Army 400 meters to lifting siege on base in east #Damascus, kills, captures dozens of militants". Al-Masdar News. 4 January 2018.
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