Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

TS464

Incident date

January 23, 2021

Location

تل رفعت, Tal Rifa'at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including a mother and her two children were reported killed, and eleven others injured as a result of a alleged Turkish shelling, or pro-Turkey militants on Tal Rifat town in Aleppo’s northern countryside, Syria on January 23rd, 2021.

The shelling also reportedly caused material damage to the locals houses, the private and public properties and the infrastructure.

Ridaw said “Five-year-old Yasser Sakran and twelve-year-old Ebid al-Mohsen Sakran were both killed. The third person who died, Nazliye Mohammed Mustafa, was originally from Afrin, according to Hawar News Agency, an outlet affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).” ANHA reported that the woman is the mother of the two children.

The initial reports spoke about three victims, but then a forth civilian, Saad al-Din al-Qais aged 31, died of his injuries raising death toll.

North Press Agency (NPA) said that the injured civilians were transferred to Afrin Hospital, some of them in critical condition. However, the Rojava Information Centre reported 11 wounded civilians as a result of the attack.

Thousands of IDPs from Tal Rafa’at, Afrin and Alshahba joined the funeral of the victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Majid Yasser Sikran ماجد ياسر سكران
5 years old male killed
Abdelmuhsen Sikran عبد المحسن سكران
12 years old male killed
Nazliye Mihemed Mustafa نازلية محمد مصطفى
55 years old female Originally from Afrin killed
Muhammad Yasser Sakran محمد سكران
Age unknown male From Tal Rifaat injured
Ahmed Hassan [Abdulhasan] Sakran أحمد عبد الحسن سكران
33 years old male From Tal Rifaat injured

The victims were named as:

Saad al-Din al-Qais سعد الدين القيس
31 years old male Died in the hospital of his injuries. A source added Sakran to his surname so he could be part of the family that lost other three members in the same day. killed
Muhammad Nori Youssef محمد نوري يوسف
35 years old male From Bulbul injured
Alia Haidar Habash عليا حيدر حبش
19 years old female injured
Sadiq Muhammad Abdo صادق محمد عبدو
15 years old male From Afrin injured
Khalid Dudakh خالد دودخ
33 years old male From Shara town injured
Mazloum Ibrahim Dado مظلوم إبراهيم دادو
31 years old male From Shiye town injured
Khalid Muhammad al-Ali خالد محمد العلي
46 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–11
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • Funeral of four or five civilians killed by alleged Turkey shelling on Tal Rifa'at on January 23rd, 2021 (via @BehnamZarei21)
  • Funeral of four or five civilians killed by alleged Turkey shelling on Tal Rifa'at on January 23rd, 2021 (via @BehnamZarei21)
  • Funeral of four or five civilians killed by alleged Turkey shelling on Tal Rifa'at on January 23rd, 2021 (via @BehnamZarei21)
  • Funeral of four or five civilians killed by alleged Turkey shelling on Tal Rifa'at on January 23rd, 2021 (via @BehnamZarei21)
  • Funeral of four or five civilians killed by alleged Turkey shelling on Tal Rifa'at on January 23rd, 2021 (via NPA)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the mother and two children killed in alleged Turkish shelling on Tal Rifa'at on January 23rd, 2021. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the mother and two children killed in alleged Turkish shelling on Tal Rifa'at on January 23rd, 2021. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)
  • Images of the funeral of four or five civilians killed by Turkish shelling in Tal Rifa'at on Jan 23rd, attended by thousands of IDPs. (via SOHR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tal Rifa’at (تل رفعت), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.472576, 37.096272. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–11
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI069

Incident date

September 2, 2021

Location

بارة, Bara, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.37571, 41.48531 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three people were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on Bara village on September 2, 2021.

Security sources told Shafaq News Agency that “Turkish aircraft bombed the headquarters of the Asayish Yazidkhan forces, west of Mount Sinjar” and that the targeted location was close to a site of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). However, another security source told Shafaq News agency that three civilians were seriously injured in the attack.

Alyaum TV quoted a local source as saying that Turkish warplanes bombed different areas in Sinjar district, injuring three people.

BasNews also reported that Turkish warplanes targeted a facility and vehicle belonging to the PKK-affiliated armed groups but did not know the number of injuries that resulted.

Several local media sites also told Xeber24 that a Turkish drone bombed one of the points of the Asayish Ezidkhan in the village of Bariya, affiliated to the city of Şengal but as a result of the intensity of the bombing and the flight of Turkish aircraft, they were unable to know the extent of human losses and material damage.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bara (بارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.37571, 41.48531. 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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS494

Incident date

February 27, 2022

Location

أم الخير, Umm Al Khair, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.654235, 40.372868 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Umm Al 36.654235&lon=40.372868Khair in the countryside of Tal Tamr district on February 27, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a woman was injured as a result of Turkish forces bombing of the countryside of Tal Tamr district. Turkish forces bombed the Assyrian villages of Tel Shanan, Umm al-Khair and Dashisha in the countryside of Tal Tamr, resulting in the injury of Marwa Muhammad Khalif (30 years), from the village of Umm al-Khair. The bombing also resulted in severe material damage to the property of the people of the villages.

A medical source at the Lycrane Hospital in Tal Tamr told North-Press, “The woman was wounded by several shrapnel and was taken to a hospital in Hasaka for an urgent operation.”

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish forces.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Marwa Muhammad Khalif مروة محمد خليف
30 years old female 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Umm Al Khair (أم الخير), allegedly located west of Tal Tamr (تل تمر) town. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tal Tamr are: 36.654235, 40.372868.

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

TI084

Incident date

June 17, 2022

Location

كيسته, Kesta, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.256848, 43.160734 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women were injured in alleged Turkish artillery shelling and/or heavy machine gun fire on Kesta village in Kani Massi district on June 17, 2022

Shafaq News reported that Turkish forces launched artillery against Kesta Village, north of Duhok, which resulted in the injury of two women.

Omed Kestayi, chieftain (mukhtar) of Kesta village in Amedi town, told Rudaw’s Haydar Doski on Friday that Turkish troops from a nearby military base shelled inside the village earlier in the day, injuring two women, who were hospitalized. The shelling was done with DShk, a Soviet heavy machine gun, for about half an hour. ANF specified that the injured women were taken to Batifa Hospital.

Omed Kestayi also provided the names of the victims: Kazen (25 years old) and Sally (40 years old), one of them was hit in the head and the other in the hand.

The majority of sources attributed the bombardment/shooting to Turkish forces, while only Zagros News did not identify who was responsible.

The incident occured at approximately 5:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Kazen كازين
25 years old female injured
Sally وسالى
40 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • One of the women injured when Turkish artillery attacked Kesta Village, north of Duhok which resulted in the injury of two women. (Image posted by Shafaq News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kesta (كيسته), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.256848, 43.160734. 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, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS547

Incident date

August 16, 2022

Location

زركان, Zarkan, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.846389, 40.326944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Zarkan sub-district on August 16, 2022.

Hawar News Agency reported that in the Zarkan sub-district, 11 year old Tamim Faisal Hamad was wounded by Turkish shelling on the district’s center. There was no other information available about victims of the shelling.

North Press Agency cited a military source who said that three Turkish shells hit a village in Zarkan.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Tamim Faisal Hamad تميم فيصل حمد
11 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the district of Zarkan (زركان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.846389, 40.326944. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS574

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

دوار القرموطي, Al-Qarmouti square. al-Gharbi neighborhood,.Qamishli., Hasakeh, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 23th, 2022, between one to two civilians were reportedly killed and another one injured by a Turkish drone targeting a truck at Al-Qarmouti roundabout (also referred to as “Al-Hilalia roundabout”) in Qamishli city in the evening. According to local sources, the truck was completely destroyed by the strike.

Sources identified the civilian injured as the Mayor of Himo village, Hassan Majdin, 45 years old. He was taken to a hospital in Qamishli for treatment. A medical source said that his injuries were minor, while another source claimed he was “seriously wounded”.

Local sources reported conflicted information regarding the number of casualties. Sources either claimed that the strike wounded or killed SDF leader “Rizan Kalo” who was inside the vehicle when the attack was conducted. SOHR claimed that the driver of the truck, whose identity was not disclosed, was killed, while “Rizan Kahlo” and another person was injured in the bombing. One local source quoting Russian-owned media Sputnik mentionned that “Rizan Kalo” was killed along with “two of his companions”, without precising if those were also SDF militants.  Al-Araby Al-Jadeed correspondent claimed that the attack killed two people, without further precisions, and injured two others, the wounded being identified as Hassan Majdin and Rizan Kalo.

 

 

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Majdin حسن مجدين
45 years old male Mayor of Himo village injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • On November 23th 2022, in Qamishli city, a reported Turkish drone strike hit and destroyed a vehicle. Photo: SOHR

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    On November 23rd 2022 in Qamishli city, one civilian was injured and between one to two others killed following a reported Turkish drone strike in Qamishli city. Photo: Qamishli now
  • SDF leader "Rizan Kalo" reportedly injured in a Turkish drone strike targeting a truck in Qamishli city on November 23rd 2022. Photo: صفحة كوردستان الكبرى G K P
  • On November 23rd 2022, an alleged Turkish drone strike hit a truck in Al-Qarmouti roundabout in Qamishli city. Photo: NPA
  • SDF leader "Rizan Kalo's family denied news that "Rizan Kalo" died following a reported Turkish strike on a vehicle on November 23rd 2022. Photo: وكالة روج نيوز المستقلة للأخبار

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS605

Incident date

June 20, 2023

Location

قرية تل شعير, Tel Shaeir road, Al Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Tuesday June 20th 2023, an alleged drone strike by Turkish armed forces hit a car in the village of Beyandur, east of the city of Qamishli, northeast Syria, killing three civilians, two Kurdish local officials and their driver, and injuring another local official.

Sources including SOHR, NPA and Reuters reported three civilians being killed by a drone attack in a car belonging to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), including Yusra Darwish, the co-chair of the Qamishli Region Council; Leyman Shoish, the Deputy Co-chair; and Farat Toma, their driver. As a result of the attack also Gabi Shamoun, the other Co-chair, was injured while they were all on their way to visiting AANES institutions.

SOHR, NPA and Reuters also reported that the attack took place on Tel Shaeir road, in the area between Al-Qamishly and Amudah cities in northern Al-Hasakah province in Syria’s Kurdish-run northeast. In addition, NPA reported a statement released by the Women’s Coordination of the AANES denouncing the drone attacks of the Turkish armed forces against civilians in the area under the alleged false-flag of protecting the national security of the region. Moreover, according to the statement, the attack is reported to “coincide with the AANES’s announcement of its intention to start the trial of leaders and militants of the Islamic State (ISIS)”, which Turkey allegedly wanted to prevent. Additionally, as reported by ABC (AP), on the same day of the attack, a two-day round of talks opened in the Kazakh capital, Astana, “aimed at resolving the broader conflict in Syria among officials from Russia, Iran, Türkiye and Syria.”

The suspected attacker is alleged to be Turkey, as reported by most of the sources including SOHR, NPA, Reuters and ABC (AP), although responsibility has been contested by Turkish authorities, as reported by Reuters, claiming their “intelligence agency had “neutralised” a senior figure in the Kurdish YPG, or People’s Protection Units, in the area of Tal Rifaat some 27 km northwest of Tal Shaeer. It named the figure as Ridvan Ulugana and said he had been active in operations targeting the Turkish military. It did not say that any civilians were killed, or mention Tal Shaeer.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yusra Darwish
Age unknown female co-chair of the Qamishli Region Council killed
Leyman Shoish
Age unknown female Deputy Co-chair killed
Farat Toma
Age unknown male killed
Gabi Shamoun
Age unknown Co-chair, injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Destruction to a car caused by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Yusra Darwish, the co-chair of the Qamishli Region Council; Leyman Shoish, the Deputy Co-chair; and Farat Toma, their driver killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Yusra Darwish, the co-chair of the Qamishli Region Council; Leyman Shoish, the Deputy Co-chair; and Farat Toma, their driver killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Destruction to a car caused by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Fakhereddin Abdi via Facebook)
  • Destruction to a car caused by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Fakhereddin Abdi via Facebook)

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS633

Incident date

October 4, 2023

Location

بلدة صفيا , the neighborhood of Safia in the city of Hasakah, Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

On October 4, 2023, four civilians – four men – were reportedly injured by Turkish drone strikes on a factory, in Safia neighborhood, Hasakah town, according to most local sources.

Initial reporting by HawarNews indicated that ‘two factory workers were wounded, as the drone was hovering in the area’, making it difficult for ‘ambulances to arrive to transport the wounded’. Most sources later reported four civilians injured in the attack. The Asayish’s Media Centern, quoted by NPA, said that a factory was hit by three Turkish shells, and that the civilians injured had ‘multiple wounds’. Victims were then taken to the hospital for treatment. SOHR explained that the factory is located on the main road between Al-Hasakah-Al-Qamishly, ‘which SDF use as a military barrack’. Most sources described the factory as a brick factory while other sources alleged that it was an ammunition factory belonging to SDF or ‘SDF military barracks’. One source affirmed that the strikes hit ‘the farms of Mushayrifa Hamma’. Hawarnews included the identities of the four civilians allegedly injured in the attack – and indicated that two of them were in critical condition.

SyriaTV also reported deaths and casualties among SDF members : ‘Private sources told the “Syria TV” website, “A Turkish march targeted with three missiles a former tile-making factory that the SDF had converted into a warehouse and ammunition-manufacturing factory in the village of Safia, north of Hasakah.”‘ SyriaTV counted at least ten SDF members killed and injured, ‘after a series of explosions inside the factory’, and said those wounded were taken to a military hospital in Hasakah, but did not provide any further details on the number of SDF killed or injured, or on any civilian casualties.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Ali Hamo Na'aso
70 years old male injured
Bashir Issa Hamid
49 years old male injured
Abdul Aziz Al-Muhammad
Adult male injured
Adnan Bahro Abdullah
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–5

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish drone strike on a brick factory in the town of Sfeya in Hasakah Governorate. Source: NPA
    Alleged Turkish drone strike on a brick factory in the town of Sfeya in Hasakah Governorate. Source: NPA
  • 'A Turkish occupation drone targeted the town of Safia in the city of Hasaka, amid reports of casualties.' Source: Hawarnews
    'A Turkish occupation drone targeted the town of Safia in the city of Hasaka, amid reports of casualties.' Source: Hawarnews

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Four civilians were allegedly injured in a Turkish drone strike on October 4, 2023. Source: ANHA English
    Four civilians were allegedly injured in a Turkish drone strike on October 4, 2023. Source: ANHA English

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–5

Sources (11) [ collapse]