Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

TS044

Incident date

January 9, 2017

Location

بزاعة , Baza’a town, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3829071, 37.56666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians including a child and a woman died and 12 others were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Baza’a town in the eastern Aleppo countryside, Syria, sources on the ground reported.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “two civilians (a child and a woman) died in a Der’ Al Furat- supported by Turkish forces artillery shelling of Baza’a town in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, January 9, 2017.”

The IS propaganda source, Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu, also said that a child and a woman died in Turkish shelling.

A ‘martyrs list’ published by jabal-aqel-albab.tk said that there were “three martyrs from Baza’a including a woman and a child and more than 12 wounded.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Heavy shelling by the Turkish artillery on the neighborhoods of the city of # Bab and town # Bzaa continued for three days and targeted the concentration of forces # Dahed inside #Aleppo

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Baza’a town ( بزاعة ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3829071, 37.56666. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS063 RS1864

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Location

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 10 civilians died, including two children and two women, and up to a another dozen were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Al Bab, local media reported. It was unclear who the culprit was – with allegations against Turkey and Russia. Moreover, one report added that regime helicopters were also active over Al Bab on this day.

RT quoted the Russian Ministry of Defense, who said there had been joint Russian and Turkish airstrikes on ISIS locations near the city of Al Bab. The report made no mention of civilian harm.

According to Al Jazeera, “at least ten people were killed and others wounded by Russian and Turkish air raids on the city of Bab and its environs. Turkish artillery also targeted the organization’s [ISIS’s] positions in Bab and Ta’ad (east of Aleppo). Eight civilians were wounded in a renewed Turkish artillery shelling on the city.

Al-Jazeera’s correspondent pointed out that the IS media agency A’maq broadcast pictures of what it said was heavy shelling by regime helicopters struck the south and south-west of the city, pointing out that the final statistics of the number of victims are still unknown.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at four (two children and two women), and attributed the civilian harm to Turkey.

Alquds alarabi  also blamed Turkey, putting the number killed at ten civilians including a child.

Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu [IS propaganda] added that there were “seven dead and six wounded from one family following Turkish artillery shelling”.

Syria News Desk, also blaming Turkey, put the death toll at eight with 12 more wounded. It reported that “Turkish aerial and artillery bombardment targeted the city near the Osama bin Zayd mosque at the southern entrance of the city, which also led to the destruction of two houses completely. There was also damage to a number of residential buildings and shops and other property.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab, Aleppo (مدينة الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS325 TS004

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

دابق‎, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.539778, 37.269556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 5 and 8 civilians were reported killed in a Coalition or unilateral Turkish airstrike at Dabiq.

According to LCCSY, “eight civilians from one family, mostly women and children, were martyred due to International Coalition warplanes shelling  #Dabiq village in the northern countryside.” Shaam News also said eight died – which it claimed included 5 children and 3 women. ISIL’s media arm placed the civilian toll at 5 dead, who it said were all from one family.

Syria News Desk reported that civilian housing was targeted and that the bombing destroyed some homes entirely.

Almost all sources blamed the US-led Coalition. However, according to Jisr TV, “Turkish and Coalition planes intensified their raids on the villages of Dabiq and Turkman yesterday in order to prepare for the rebels to attack the villages. There were a number of martyrs and wounded following the raids in the village of Dabiq in the northern Aleppo countryside. The military operations continue.”

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (5 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the alleged Turkish and Coalition airstrikes on Dabiq, Aleppo, 2nd November 2016. (via Jisir TV) Reporter speaks to correspondent Qahtan al Mustapha: "At 1’00” Turkish and coalition planes intensified their raids on on the villages of Dabeq and Turkman yesterday in order to prepare for the rebels to attack the villages. There were a number of martyrs and wounded following the raids in the village of Dabeq in the northern Aleppo countryside. The military operations continue. The coalition is also raiding areas in the village of Bouz Dubba north of Akhtareen in the northern Aleppo countryside. The battles are still raging around the town of Turkman between IS and the rebels."
  • Report by SN4HR titled, "649 individuals killed at the Hands of the International Coalition Forces including 244 children and 132 women the only way to defeat ISIS is to Ally with the whole Syrian people" (via SN4HR)

  • Arabic version of the report by SN4HR titled, "649 individuals killed at the Hands of the International Coalition Forces including 244 children and 132 women the only way to defeat ISIS is to Ally with the whole Syrian people" (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dabiq (دابق‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.539778, 37.269556. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA451452
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Oct. 2, 2016, in Dabiq, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3059/CS325 37SCA451452

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 1st-2nd 2016 the Coalition reported no strikes at Dabiq itself, though did note for Aleppo governorate that “Near Manbij, five strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and a vehicle.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (5 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS480

Incident date

December 21, 2021

Location

زركان, Zarkan, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.675824, 40.437171 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, including two women, were killed and up to nine others, including three children, were injured in alleged Turkish artillery or airstrikes on the town of Zarkan and surrounding areas on December 21, 2021.

According to Hawar News, three civilians were killed and four other civilians were injured when Turkish forces bombed the town of Zarkan. Hawar also provided the names of the victims: “Malikat Ahmed Al-Eid, 30, and her elderly mother, Faslat Al-Eid, 60” from the village of Rabi’at, and the citizen Saleh Hamid from the village of Al-Asadiya as well as the injury of 4 civilians, the 50-year-old citizen “Ahmed Mohammed Al-Fars“, and 3 children “Judy Al-Eid, 4 years old, Juri Al-Eid, 11 years old, and Ahmed Al-Eid, 8 years old,” in addition to the injury of 3 members of the Damascus government forces in the town of Zarkan.

Rumaf News also reported that three civilians were killed, including a woman and her child, and the injury of three children, in addition to six other people injured in the Zarkan countryside. Rumaf attributed the casualties to Turkish artillery shelling. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights pointed out that of the “more than six others injured in separate areas in the countryside” some were in serious condition and had been transferred to Qamishli hospitals.

All of the sources that reported on the incident identified Turkish forces as being responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

malikat 'ahmad aleid ملكة أحمد العيد
30 years old female from the village of Rabi’at killed
Faslat Al-Eid فصلة العيد
60 years old female from the village of Rabi’at killed
Judy Al-Eid
4 years old injured
Juri Al-Eid جوري العيد
11 years old injured
Ahmed Al-Eid
8 years old injured

The victims were named as:

Saleh Hamid صالح حميد
60 years old from the village of Al-Asadiy killed
Ahmed Mohammed Al-Fars أحمد محمد الفارس
50 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–9
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by Turkish artillery shelling of the villages of the Zarkan countryside on December 21, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage caused by Turkish artillery shelling of the villages of the Zarkan countryside on December 21, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage caused by Turkish artillery shelling of the villages of the Zarkan countryside on December 21, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zarkan (زركان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.675824, 40.437171. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–9
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS514

Incident date

June 2, 2022

Location

طنب, Tanab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.49613, 37.00332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured in Tanab village, Shirawa district in the northern countryside of Afrin, Syria on June 2nd 2022 from “heavy gunfire”  and “shelling” attributed to Turkish forces and the SNA by local sources.

The civilian injured was reported to be Hassan Mustafa, aged between 12 and 13, according to different local sources.

At least ten of his sheep also died in this attack and it was reported that Mustafa was grazing the sheep at the time of attack, and that the shell exploded near him in the field.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish forces, and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the strikes and gunfire was carried out by “Turkish forces and their proxy stationed in Jalbal and Maryamin in northern Aleppo”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Mustafa
13 or 14 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • NPA Syria reports an alleged Turkish shelling on Tanab village in Afrin where one boy was reported injured whilst tending to his sheep on June 2nd 2022.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tanab (طنب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.49613, 37.00332. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS540

Incident date

August 8, 2022

Location

تل زيوان, Tal Zewan, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.058585, 41.355114 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian grazing sheep was injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Tel Zewan on August 8, 2022.

Hawar News reported that Turkish forces shelled the village of Tel Zewan with artillery at around 13:00, injuring one civilian who was tending to his sheep. Hawar added that on the same day, Turkish forces bombed villages in Amuda, Darbasiyah, Qamishlo, Tal Tamr, Zarkan, Ain Issa.

A Facebook post from Tigris – the Syrian island stated that one man was wounded in the artillery shelling and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that one civilian was injured.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkey, and ANF specified that two mortar shells had been fired at the village.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Ziwan (تل زيوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.058585, 41.355114. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS567

Incident date

November 20, 2022

Location

جورين, Syria

Geolocation

35.616504, 36.268706 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, a boy, and a woman, his mother, were injured as a result of Turkish-backed militant action, from factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin”. The actions were reported to include artillery shells hitting the town of Jourin on November 20th 2022.

The woman and child were reportedly transferred to the Suqaylabiyah National Hospital for treatment.

Pressn and other local sources also reported that the shells caused material damage to some local residential properties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mother
Adult female injured
Son
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Residental houses reportedly damaged by Turkish backed militant missile fire on November 20th 2022 in Jourin (Image via Alalam)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jourin (جورين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.616504, 36.268706. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS608

Incident date

July 5, 2023

Location

رأس العين, Ras al Ain, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.849005, 40.071581 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At around noon on the 5th July, 2023, two children were killed and up to seven others, including a woman and a child were injured in an alleged armed clash between two of the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions at the al-Qaws checkpoint at the entrance of the Turkish-occupied city of Ras al Ain in Hasakah.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two children were killed and seven others, including a woman, were injured. Orient News reported that 11 year old Abdul Rahman Hamid Al-Ahmad and 14 year-old Hassan Ali Al-Obeid were allegedly killed in the incident. However, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights stated that a 9-year old was killed, whilst his mother, a child and three civilians were injured. Orient News added that five people were injured, and the injured woman was transferred to Turkey due to her critical condition.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the clashes broke out between the Sultan Murad faction and the ‘Civilian Police’ involving medium and heavy weapons. The report also indicated that the dispute broke out at the checkpoint due to the Civilian Police preventing members of the faction from crossing the border. Subsequently, reinforcements from the Civilian Police and Turkish intelligence were requested to control the situation, in accordance with a news report by the North Press.

Orient News reported that the policeman Ismail Al-Jadaan Al-Aboud was also killed in addition to the two children, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three members of the military police, including a minor, were killed and two members of the Sultan Murad faction were injured, and were taken to Turkish hospitals because of their critical injuries.

The majority of the sources noted that both the Sultan Murad faction and the ‘Civilian Police’ are both Turkish-backed militias operating in Syria. However, it is unclear which militia was responsible for the civilian casualties.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Rahman Hamid Al-Ahmad
11 years old killed
Hassan Ali Al-Obeid
14 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ras al Ain (رأس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.849005, 40.071581. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (7) [ collapse]