Battle of Harasta (2017–2018)

Battle of Harasta (2017–2018)
Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign (Syrian Civil War)
Date First phase: 14–25 November 2017 (1 week and 4 days) Second phase: 29 December 2017 – 17 January 2018 (2 weeks and 5 days) Location Harasta, Damascus and Rif Damascus, Syria Result Indecisive On 7 January, the Syrian Army lifts the siege of Harasta vehicle base laid by rebels on 29 December^[8] Rebels retain control of the captured al-Ajami neighborhood^[9]
Belligerents
Ahrar al-Sham^[1] Al-Rahman Legion^[2] Tahrir al-Sham^[3]	Syrian Arab Republic Syrian Armed Forces Russia^[4] Arab Nationalist Guard^[5]^[6] Fatah al-Intifada^[7]
Commanders and leaders
Saleh 'Antar † (commander of Ahrar al-Sham forces in Harasta, per pro-government sources, FSA per pro-opposition sources)^[10]^[better source needed]^[11] Asim Basha Abu Jafar al-Shami (Ahrar al-Sham regional commander) Abu Thaer Sawan †^[citation needed] (al-Rahman Legion's 10th Brigade commander)^[12]^[better source needed] Hassan Al-Boshi † (al-Rahman Legion field commander in Harasta )^[13]^[better source needed] Abu Talal Al-Qabouni †^[14]^[better source needed] (Tahrir al-Sham top commander) Abu Mohammad Tahoun †^[14]^[better source needed] (Tahrir al-Sham field commander)	Maj. Gen. Walid Khawashqi †^[15] Brig. Gen. Mohammad Nayouf (Republican Guard's 105th Brigade commander)^[16] Brig. Gen. Ali Badran † (Special Forces Commander)^[17] Brig. Gen. Mohamed Jenad †^[3]^[18] Brig. Gen. Ali Diyub † (Republican Guard's 138th Armored Regiment commander)^[3]^[19] Brig. Gen. Habib Mehrez Yunus †^[3] Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Yunus †^[20]^[21] (Republican Guard's 402nd Battalion commander) Brig Gen. Haider Hassan  †^[3] Brig. Gen. Muhsin Baaiti  (WIA)^[citation needed] Maj. Gen. Hassan al-Kurdi (WIA)^[citation needed]
Units involved
Ahrar al-Sham Al-Rahman Legion 10th Brigade Tahrir al-Sham	Syrian Army Republican Guard 104th Brigade 105th Brigade^[5] 106th Brigade^[5] 402nd Battalion^[21] 3rd Armoured Division^[5] Qalamoun Shield Forces^[5] Storming battalions^[5] 4th Armoured Division^[5] 42nd Brigade 555th Special Forces Regiment 9th Armoured Division^[5] 10th Mechanised Division^[5]^[22] 14th Special Forces Division 556th Regiment^[23] Air Force Intelligence Directorate Ground forces^[5] Ministry of Interior^[5] Criminal Security Directorate Damascus Police^[5] Syrian Special Mission Forces National Defence Forces^[5]
Casualties and losses
First phase: 50 killed and 50 wounded (SAA claim)^[24] Second phase: 94+ killed (SOHR claim)^[25]	First phase: 54+ killed (per SOHR)^[26] Second phase: 47+ killed (SAA claim)^[27] 79+ killed, 15 captured (SOHR claims)^[25]^[8]^[28] Overall: 331–488 killed (Bellingcat claim)^[29]
First phase: 41 civilians killed^[30] Second phase: 170–190 civilians killed^[31]

The Battle of Harasta, codenamed "They Were Wronged",^[32] was a military operation launched by Syrian rebels against positions of the Syrian Arab Army in Harasta, a northeastern suburb of Damascus, during the Syrian Civil War

Background

Harasta, in the eastern Ghouta area, had been a rebel-held city for parts of the Syrian Civil War, despite its close proximity to the government-held capital. After the government's victory in Eastern Aleppo in late 2016, government forces turned their attention to the Damascus suburbs, targeting Wadi Barada, and eastern Ghouta (see Qaboun offensive (2017)).^[33] 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 late spring.

On 22 July 2017, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a de-escalation agreement had been signed in Eastern Ghouta following talks between Russian military officials and Jaysh al Islam.^[34] On 16 August 2017, a Failaq al Rahman representative and a Russian representative signed an agreement which established Failaq al Rahman's inclusion in the de-escalation zone. This agreement came into effect on 18 August 2017.^[34]

Despite the de-escalation treaty, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that government bombing resumed in Eastern Ghouta on 27 September 2017.^[35] In October, the government restricted the use of the al-Wafideen crossing, an entry point for merchandise, which led to food and medical supply shortages within Ghouta.^[36] According to the UN and Human Rights Watch, in late October and November 2017, hostilities intensified, with frequent reports of shelling on several densely populated areas of eastern Ghouta. These attacks reportedly targeted Harasta (including one reported strike on a kindergarten on 6 November^[37]), as well as Ein Tarma, Jobar, Kafr Batna, and Jisreen (where a mortar attack on 31 October killed six children, according to Human Rights Watch).^{[38][39][40][41]} Further attacks targeted Mesraba, Hamouriyah and Saqba.^[41]

The offensive

First phase

On 14 November, a rebel attack was launched on the government armoured-vehicle base in Harasta.^[42] The rebel forces, led by Ahrar al-Sham, also launched an assault against Syrian Army positions in the Police Housing area of the Harasta suburb. Shortly after, the rebels captured an army outpost and killed Major General Walhid Khawashqi.^[43] Two points within the perimeter of the base were captured by the militants on the morning of 15 November. According to pro-government sources, the points were recaptured by the army in the evening amid airstrikes on rebel positions conducted by the Russian Air Force.^[4][44] The rebel attack was considered by the Syrian government to be a violation of the Russian-brokered de-escalation zones put in place in May.^[4][44] In retaliatory attacks, aerial strikes and shelling hit Harasta, Irbin, Mesraba, Hamouriyah, and Saqba towns in Eastern Ghouta with at least eight civilians killed and about 94 wounded in the first 20 hours.^[4]

On 16 November, Ahrar al-Sham reportedly captured a command post near the Regiment 46 base.^[45] In retaliation for the Ahrar al-Sham attack, the government conducted an aerial bombardment of rebel-held areas, according to an Agence France-Presse photographer and opposition sources.^[42] The World Health Organization reported that from 14 to 17 November, 84 people were killed and 659 injured, including hundreds of women and children.^[38] Human Rights Watch documented that Hamouriyah, a densely populated residential town near the center of the besieged enclave controlled by Faylaq al-Rahman, was repeatedly struck by Russian or Syrian cluster munitions on 19 November, and multiple airstrikes hit Irbin on 23 November.^[36]

On 25 November, all of the areas captured by the rebels in Harasta were reported by pro-government sources to have been retaken by government forces,^[46] but the rebels said they repelled the army's attack on their positions inside the base.^[47] Government aircraft were reported to have bombed a crowded public market in Misraba, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) to the east, as part of its counterattack on rebel positions, killing at least 16 civilians.^[48] From 14 to 30 November, the Russian-Syrian joint military operation conducted over 400 airstrikes on eastern Ghouta, according to Civil Defense,^[36] and SOHR reported that at least 127 people, including 30 children, had been killed by air strikes and shelling in the offensive by the end of the month.^[49]

Harasta and other rebel-held parts of the eastern Ghouta were considered to be suffering from a humanitarian crisis due to the government siege. Residents were "so short of food that they [were] eating trash, fainting from hunger and forcing their children to eat on alternate days", the U.N. World Food Programme said.^[49] 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.^[50] Several Syrian and Russian airstrikes on densely populated areas were reported in this period in connection with the Harasta fighting,^[39] including one on Harasta on 3 December in which children were reportedly killed^[51] and two, on a marketplace and a medical facility, leading to 18 civilian deaths, in nearby Hamouriyah the same day.^[52]

Second phase

 

Map of the battle

On 29 December 2017, rebels commenced the second phase of the offensive.^[53] Pro-government sources reported that HTS used a car bomb on army positions in Harasta early in the day.^{[54][additional citation(s) needed]} Later in the day, 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][55] The rebels also said they took more positions in the Vehicle Base itself.^[56] 47 SAA and NDF soldiers were killed in the ongoing offensive, while pro-government reinforcements were being sent to the frontline.^[27] On 30 December, a paramedic working for a hospital in Harasta was killed as a result of artillery shelling, according to aid organisations.^[57][58] The UN reported that the Syrian government and Russia began a new air and land offensive on 31 December to reclaim ground in eastern Ghouta.^[31][59] That day, a primary health care center in Harasta was impacted by an airstrike, resulting in minor structural damage, according to aid organisations.^[57][58]

The defensive

On 1 January, fighting raged around the municipal building for hours after rebels reportedly detonated a second car bomb.^[60] 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.^[60][61] Meanwhile, Ahrar al-Sham said it was negotiating a passage out for government forces trapped at the Vehicle Base.^[61] According to opposition sources, at least 34 rebels were killed and dozens 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.^[62] On 2 January, the Syrian Army reportedly recaptured four blocks near the municipal building and were pushing towards the Al-Barazi hospital.^[63] Meanwhile, rebels were still trying to capture the Vehicle Base and municipal building, despite heavy artillery and airstrikes,^[64] managing to widen their control of the army base.^[65]

On 3 January, the Syrian Army and Russian Air Force escalated bombing of rebel-held areas with the intention of relieving the 200 troops trapped in the base.^[65][66] Strikes on Mesraba and Arbin on 4 January reportedly caused dozens of deaths, including civilians and children.^[67][68] On 4 January, the Syrian Army began their counter-offensive to relieve the siege on the Armoured Vehicle Base. Government forces recaptured "dozens of buildings" and the Syrian Army advanced to within 400 metres (1,300 ft) of the Vehicle Base.^[69][70] During the fighting, an air-strike hit a building near the rebel positions, leaving 16 rebel fighters dead.^[71] On 5 January, the Syrian army reportedly recaptured the Basher Hospital from the rebels as part of a renewed push in Harasta district and were within 100 metres (330 ft) of the military vehicle depot base from the western direction.^[72] Further pro-government airstrikes on residential areas of Harasta were reported on 6 January.^[73]

On 7 January, pro-government sources reported that the 4th Armoured Division captured a mill to the west of the base, enabling them to announce that they had broken the siege.^[74] The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that government forces had opened a road to the base.^[8] The following morning, SOHR reported the Division was attempting to widen the corridor opened to the vehicle base,^[75] while the rebels were trying to close the gap.^[76] Meanwhile, the rebels advanced on the opposite eastern side of the vehicle base, capturing two buildings in the area of the Technical Institute.^[77] On 9 January, airstrikes on residential areas of eastern Ghouta continued, with reports of 24 deaths, including 10 children, and at least 13 civilians killed in opposition-controlled Hamourya.^[78][79] By 10 January, the UN had reported at least 85 civilian deaths since 31 December, including 30 children.^[59] On 11 January, Civil Defense reported that 85 pro-government airstrikes hit Harasta that day.^[80]

On 12 January, the rebels repelled a large Syrian Army attack,^[25] despite pro-government claims that the army and allies managed to recapture all of the territories they had lost to the rebels two weeks earlier.^[81] On the same day, the Syrian army captured three farms in the area between Douma and Harasta and was also able to advance in five buildings in the vicinity of the Karajat Al-Hajz (Harasta bus station) near the Governorate Building in the vicinity of Harasta.^[82] It was reported that Syrian government forces fired three surface-to-surface missiles filled with poisonous chlorine gas between the cities of Harasta and Douma on 13 January.^[31][83][84] By 14 January, Civil Defense reported that 177 civilians, including 51 children, had been killed in the previous two weeks, and 811 more have been wounded, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the offensive had killed about 190 people.^[31][85] UNICEF reported that over 30 children were killed and two medical facilities bombed.^[86] By 17 January, the rebels said that a total of 231 government soldiers, including 107 officers, had been killed in fighting since the base was surrounded in late December.^[87]

Fighting in Harasta caused mass displacement. On 11 January 2018, the town's local council estimated that at least 900 families had fled since the beginning of January.^[80] The UN reported at least 85 people, including 30 children, killed, and at least 183 injured, by airstrikes and artillery fire across eastern Ghouta since 31 December in the same period.^[80][78] Residents of Harasta reported moving underground to escape the bombs.^[88]

Renewed operation

On 20 January, Syrian government forces announced renewed operations in the area, between Harasta and Erbeen. This offensive was led by Republican Guard and 4th Division fighters. The government reported that dozens of Faylaq al-Rahman and HTS fighters had been killed in action.^[89] On 22 January, local correspondents of Turkish Anadolu Agency reported air and artillery strikes on Harasta.^[90] On 1 February, SOHR reported that at least 27 shells targeted Harasta.^[91] Aid agencies reported that residents were now permanently sheltered in basements and underground shelters. 15,000 residents of Harasta, Modira, and Al Marj were displaced that week to other areas in the Eastern Ghouta enclave.^{[92][additional citation(s) needed]}

On 6 February, local activists reported a new wave of strikes, including ground-to-ground missile strikes on Harasta.^[93][94] On 8 February, one person was killed by rebel mortar fire in the government-controlled part of Harasta, according to state news agency SANA.^[95] Opposition activists reported that 600 air raids had been conducted on Harasta from 5 January to 9 February.^[96] On 10 February, government sources reported they had "inched forward" in Harasta.^[97] Civil Defence and SOHR reported multiple air raids on Harasta during the night of 11 February.^[98][99] Ground fighting continued into the following week, with Al-Masdar reporting on 14 February that SAA and rebel fighters had "traded offensives" in the suburb, causing "some of the fiercest firefights" of 2018.^[100]

The Rif Dimashq offensive (February 2018) began on 18 February, with heavy bombing across Eastern Ghouta. The UN humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis said on 23 February that 80% of people in Harasta were now living in basements to escape the bombs.^[101] The place was bombed again on 23^[102] and 24 February.^[103][104]

A UN resolution on 25 February called for a 30-day ceasefire across Syria. Government ground troops advanced, with Syrian state TV claiming to have captured several buildings in Harasta,^[105] and Civil Defence reporting air and artillery attacks.^[106] On 26 February, Syrian state TV broadcast live footage showing Harasta being pounded by airstrikes and artillery, saying the target was HTS fighters. The fighting was mostly concentrated in the Harasta Farms area on the edge of town. Monitors and Civil Defense reported civilian mortalities in the fighting.^[107] On 23 March 2018, the Syrian army captured Harasta.^[108]

References

1. "Russia, Syria armies step up attacks on Damascus enclave-rebels". Reuters. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
2. "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 HTS and Ahrar Al-Sham increases their scope of control to 50 buildings in the outskirts of Harasta". SOHR. 31 December 2017.
3. "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. "Russia, Syria armies step up attacks on Damascus enclave-rebels". Reuters. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
5. Andrew Illingworth (8 January 2018). . al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
6. "Palestinian man dies while fighting in the suburbs of Damascus". Action Group for Palestinians of Syria. 14 January 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
7. Syria, Action Group for Palestinians of. "A member of "Fath Al-Intefada" dies in Harasta, in the suburbs of Damascus". www.actionpal.org.uk.
8. "After 8 days of being besieged by the factions, the regime forces open a road to the Vehicle Department near Harasta and about 160 fighters and members were killed since the beginning of the attack". SOHR. 7 January 2018.
9. . Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
10. . AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 21 November 2017. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
11. The Violations Documenting Center (21 November 2017). "Saleh Antar". مركز توثيق الانتهاكات في سوريا. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
12. 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". Twitter. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
13. . Al Masdar News. 5 January 2018. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
14. Leith Fadel (6 January 2018). . Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
15. . Al Masdar News. 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
16. . Al Masdar News. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. "استشهاد العميد علي ديوب قائد الفوج ١٣٨ دبابات ً حرس جمهوري ً". 1 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
20. "More officers and members of the regime forces are killed rising to 140 members and fighters of the factions and the regime forces who were killed in the vicinity of Vehicle Department and Harasta".
21. Joško Barić (3 January 2018). "Syrian War Daily – 3rd of January 2018". Syrian War Daily.
22. . al-Masdar. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 16 September 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
23. https://twitter.com/GregoryPWaters/status/962035629063221249?t=6xZXHv2SCrBQUhTaXykCIQ&s=19
24. . Al-Masdar. 20 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
25. Ahrar Al-Sham Islamic movement and Jaysh Al-Islam repel a violent attack carried out by the regime forces between Douma and Harasta after shelling since morning by tens of raids, missiles and shells
26. "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.
27. . al-Masdar. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
28. . Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
29. Fifteen Months of Death: Pro-Government Casualties of the Syrian Civil War
30. "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.
31. Syria and Russia's latest offensive has killed 177 civilians in 2 weeks, Business Insider, 14 January 2018
32. . Revolutionary Forces of Syria media office. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
33. Hiba Dlewati "Years-Long Truces End As Government Tightens Control on Damascus 14 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine" Syria Deeply, 18 May 2017
34. No less than 534 Barrel Bombs in October 2017, Syrian Network for Human Rights, 9 November 2017
35. More casualties raised the death toll to 4 persons after the first bombing on the Eastern Ghouta after the cease-fire that lasted for two months, SOHR, 27 September 2017
36. Human Rights Watch Syria/Russia: Airstrikes, Siege Killing Civilians, ReliefWeb, 22 December 2017
37. Eight children dead, scores injured after mortar shell strikes East Ghouta kindergarten, SyriaDirect, 6 November 2017
38. Syria: Factsheet - East Ghouta (8 December 2017), REPORT from UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Published on 8 December 2017
39. Syria/Russia: Airstrikes, Siege Killing Civilians, HRW, 22 December 2017
40. AP, Syrian activists say four children were killed in government shelling, Los Angeles Times, 31 October 2017
41. Human Rights Watch Syria: Children Under Attack in Damascus Enclave, ReliefWeb, 11 January 2018
42. AFP, Syria: at least 14 civilians killed in air strikes by government forces, Guardian, 18 November 2017
43. . AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
44. . AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
45. . AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
46. . AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 25 November 2017. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
47. (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
48. Warplanes bomb crowded market in besieged Damascus suburbs, killing at least 16, SyriaDirect, 26 November 2017
49. Syrian government push for Damascus rebel enclave kills at least 23, Reuters, 26 November 2017
50. WHO says 480 need to be evacuated from Damascus suburb with worst malnutrition, Reuters, 6 December 2017
51. Reuters, Children Among dead as air strikes pound Damascus, 3 December 2017
52. Syrian, Russian jets bomb residential areas in eastern Ghouta: witnesses, monitor, Reuters, 4 December 2017
53. Exposure of Six Civilians to Poisonous Substances in Eastern Ghouta- Damascus Countryside 24 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Syrians for Truth & Justice, 21 January 2018
54. . Al-Masdar News. 29 December 2017. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
55. . Qasioun News. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
56. . نداء سوريا. 29 December 2017. Archived from the original on 31 May 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
57. Hospitals Attacked During Holiday Season, 11 Attacks in Wave Of Violence, ReliefWeb 3 January 2018
58. Syria war: Hospitals being targeted, aid workers say, BBC, 6 January 2018
59. U.N. says Syrian forces killed 85 civilians in besieged zone, Reuters, 10 January 2018
60. . Al-Masdar News. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
61. State media says Syrian president reshuffles government, AP, 1 January 2018
62. "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.
63. . Al-Masdar News. 2 January 2018. Archived from the original on 3 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
64. "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.
65. Syrian army preparing an assault to end rebel siege of base east of capital, Reuters, 3 January 2018
66. Zeina Khodr Government air raids intensify in Syria's Eastern Ghouta, Al-Jazeera, 3 January 2018
67. Syria war: 'Russian strikes' kill 25 in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, BBC, 4 January 2018
68. Syrian civil war: Russian jets suspected of killing at least 30 people after bombing residential buildings near Damascus, Independent, 4 January 2018
69. . Al-Masdar News. 4 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
70. "The regime forces achieve advancement in their counter attack to lift the siege imposed on the Vehicle Department in the Eastern Ghouta under a cover of intensive aerial and ground shelling".
71. . 5 January 2018. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
72. . Al-Masdar News. 6 January 2018. Archived from the original on 9 September 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
73. Watch: Workers rescue Syrians after airstrikes hit near Damascus, Washington Post, 6 January
74. . Al-Masdar News. 7 January 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
75. Few hours after opening a corridor for the besieged members inside it…violent clashes take place near the Vehicle Department, SOHR, 8 January 2018
76. Major factions of the Eastern Ghouta carry out violent attack to close the gap opened by the regime forces towards vehicle management, tens of raids target Harasta and its vicinity, SOHR, 8 January 2018
77. Ahrar al-Sham, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham and Rahman Corps advance in the outskirts of the Vehicle Department after a violent attack accompanied by intense shelling, SOHR, 8 January 2018
78. Syria: Zeid condemns upsurge in civilian casualties in Eastern Ghouta and Idlib, ReliefWeb, 10 January 2018
79. AFP, Children dead in Syria bombardments as UN aid chief visits 18 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Yahoo, 9 January 2018
80. Beneath bombs, East Ghouta residents move from town to town ‘with only the clothes on our backs’ 12 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Syria:Direct, 11 January 2018
81. . AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 12 January 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
82. "The regime forces advance in 2 areas in the Eastern Ghouta and control 8 farms and buildings near Harasta city after an attack with an intense fire cover". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
83. Nearly 180 people killed in Syria's Eastern Ghouta in 2 weeks, CNN, 14 January 2018
84. Syrian war: Reports of chlorine gas attack on rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, BBC 13 January 2018
85. Syria's Ghouta: 'Nearly 180 killed' in two weeks, Al-Jazeera, 13 January 2018
86. A bloody start to a new year in Syria, UNICEF, 14 January 2018
87. Zaman al-Wasl, 231 Regime Fighters Killed in Battle for Harasta's Armored Vehicles Base: Rebels, Syrian Observer, 17 January 2018
88. "Do Others Know We Exist?": A Nurse's Testimony from Syria's Besieged Eastern Ghouta, Global Voices, Translation posted 20 February 2018
89. Izat Charkatli Syrian Army launches powerful assault in Harasta 11 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Al-Masdar 20 January 2018
90. Assad regime attacks E.Ghouta with chlorine gas, Andalou, 22 January 2018
91. Syria Deeply Executive Summary for 1 February 11 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine, 1 February 2018
92. World Health Organization Health Cluster Weekly Situation Report: Whole of Syria, Week 4, 19- 25 January 2018, ReliefWeb
93. AP Airstrikes outside Syrian capital kill at least 45 civilians, Chicago Tribune, 6 February 2018
94. Syria war: UN calls for truce as government pounds rebel enclave, BBC, 7 February 2018
95. 200 dead as toll rises over four days of raids on Ghouta, Al-Arabiya, 8 February 2018
96. Qusay Noor, The living death of being under siege outside of Damascus, TRT World, 10 February 2018
97. Nationwide map of Syria – 10 February 2018 21 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Al-Masdar, 10 February 2018
98. Syria regime kills 6 civilians in new attack on Eastern Ghouta, Middle East Monitor, 12 February 2018
99. Russian Efforts to ‘Control’ Syria Air Traffic, Asharq al-Awsat Monday, 12 February 2018
100. Leith Aboufadel Complete battle map of Syria: mid-February update 22 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Al-Masdar 14 February 2018
101. U.N. Syria aid chief says Security Council must see need for ceasefire, Reuters 23 February 2018
102. Horrific moment rebel mortar shell kills 3 children at Damascus school (video), Al-Masdar 23 February 2018
103. Airstrikes continue to pound Eastern Ghouta ahead of UN vote, ABC News, 24 February 2018
104. U.N. Security Council demands truce as air strikes batter Syria's Ghouta, Reuters, 24 February 2018
105. AP Violence drops in Syrian capital, its suburbs after UN vote 26 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Yahoo News, 25 February 2018
106. Assad regime targets E. Ghouta with gas: White Helmets, Anadolu Agency, 26 February 201
107. AP UN Leader Says Raging Syria Violence Is ‘Hell on Earth’, Bloomberg, 26 February 2018
108. "The final batch departs from Harasta to the Syrian north, the first agreement in Ghouta ends and the regime controls over 90% of the Eastern Ghouta". SOHR. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.