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; Rebels retain control of the captured al-Ajami neighborhood;
Belligerents
Ahrar al-Sham; Al-Rahman Legion; Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham	Syrian Arab Republic; Russia; Arab Nationalist Guard; Fatah al-Intifada
Commanders and leaders
Saleh 'Antar †; (commander of Ahrar al-Sham forces in Harasta, per pro-government sources, FSA per pro-opposition sources); Asim Basha Abu Jafar al-Shami; (Ahrar al-Sham regional commander); Abu Thaer Sawan †; (al-Rahman Legion's 10th Brigade commander); Hassan Al-Boshi †; (al-Rahman Legion field commander in Harasta ); Abu Talal Al-Qabouni †; (Tahrir al-Sham top commander); Abu Mohammad Tahoun †; (Tahrir al-Sham field commander)	Maj. Gen. Walid Khawashqi †; Brig. Gen. Mohammad Nayouf; (Republican Guard's 105th Brigade commander); Brig. Gen. Ali Badran †; (Special Forces Commander); Brig. Gen. Mohamed Jenad †; Brig. Gen. Ali Diyub †; (Republican Guard's 138th Armored Regiment commander); Brig. Gen. Habib Mehrez Yunus †; Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Yunus †; (Republican Guard's 402nd Battalion commander); Brig Gen. Haider Hassan †; Brig. Gen. Muhsin Baaiti (WIA) ; Maj. Gen. Hassan al-Kurdi (WIA)
Units involved
Ahrar al-Sham; Al-Rahman Legion 10th Brigade; ; Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham;	Syrian Armed Forces Syrian Army Republican Guard 104th Brigade; 105th Brigade; 106th Brigade 402nd Battalion; ; ; 3rd Armoured Division Qalamoun Shield Forces; Storming battalions; ; 4th Armoured Division 42nd Brigade; 555th Special Forces Regiment; ; 9th Armoured Division; 10th Mechanised Division; 14th Special Forces Division 556th Regiment; ; ; National Defence Forces; Air Force Intelligence Directorate Ground forces; ; ; Ministry of Interior Criminal Security Directorate Damascus Police; ; Syrian Special Mission Forces; ;
Casualties and losses
First phase: 50 killed and 50 wounded (SAA claim) Second phase: 94+ killed (SOHR claim)	First phase: 54+ killed (per SOHR); Second phase: 47+ killed (SAA claim); 79+ killed, 15 captured (SOHR claims); Overall: 331–488 killed (Bellingcat claim)
	First phase: 41 civilians killed; Second phase: 170–190 civilians killed

The Battle of Harasta, codenamed "They Were Wronged", 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