Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS634

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

مزارع مشيرفة, Mushayrifa Hamma farms, Al Hassakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

At 8:00 on Thursday, October 5th 2023, an alleged drone strike by Turkish forces hit civilians near the town of Mushayrifa Hamma farms, killing one civilian and injuring at least three other civilians.

Sources including ANF, Rojnews and SOHR reported three civilians being injured by the bombing, while NPA, quoting the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), stated that four civilians had been injured. Hawar News Facebook account is the only source reporting one civilian being killed by the attack.

Rojnews and FOX Press Facebook account also reported that the attack hit the factory of Mushayrifat Hama, north of the city of Al-Hasakah, on the road linking the city of Al-Hasakah and Tal Tamr, north-east Syria. ANF referred to the location as being a farm while Hawar referred to the location as a “sand factory”.

In addition, according to SOHR and The Levant News the area is a military construction point of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the attack caused the burning of a diesel tanker, referring to those injured as “workers”.

The suspected attacker is alleged to be the Turkish armed forces, as reported by most of the sources including ANF, Rojnews and SOHR. Responsibility has not been accepted explicitly, however various sources including SOHR and NPA reported the public threats by the Turkish Foreign Minister made the day prior the bombing: “From now on, all infrastructure and energy facilities belonging to the terrorist PKK organization in Syria and Iraq are legitimate targets for our security forces.” Moreover, the statement and the series of attacks reported on October 5th, would have been in response of the attack that targeted the General Directorate of Security in the Turkish capital, Ankara, and was claimed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party on October 3rd, 2023.

The incident occured at 08:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Source: SOHR
  • Source: SOHR
  • Source: SOHR

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (12) [ collapse]