Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

TS596

Incident date

May 18, 2023

Location

قرية الخاروفية, Al-Kharofiya village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

An elderly man was killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Al-Kharofiya village on May 18, 2023.

A local source told a North Press Agency correspondent that a civilian was killed when a vehicle close to him on the road was struck by a drone. The source also provided the name of the civilian killed: Abd al-Wahhab al-Muhammad al-Haj Hamidi (70 years old) from Al-Kharofiya village.

The Syrian Democratic Forces Press Center published a statement with similar details, adding that the drone strike on a civilian car occurred at exactly 6:30pm and despite medical intervention, Abd died from his injuries. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Turkish drone executed two strikes on a military car of the woman’s protection units, and the civilian was injured (and later died of his injuries) by shrapnel when he was trying to help those injured in the vehicle.

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

The incident occured at 18:30:00 local time.

  • Abd al-Wahhab al-Muhammad al-Haj Hamidi 70 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Car struck by alleged Turkish drones on May 18, 2023. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS594

Incident date

May 17, 2023

Location

قرية جديدة, Jadeda village, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including at least one child, were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Jadeda village on May 17, 2023.

Rohani TV reported that Turkish forces bombarded Jadeda village, resulting in the injury of three civilians: Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa, his brother Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa, and Muhammad Salem Kamal. The director of the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa, Ibrahim al-Omar, told Rohani TV that their condition is stable and in good condition.

North Press Agency provided the age of the injured civilians as 17 year old Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa and 32 year old Kamal Mahmoud al-Wagaa (unclear if this is Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa or Muhammad Salem Kamal listed above). According to a medical source at the Emergency Department at the Raqqa National Hospital, both Mahmoud and Kamal were immediately admitted into the operating room and were in critical condition. A cousin of the third victim told North Press that he and his cousin were grazing their sheep when they were struck by Turkish artillery.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred to those injured in Jadeda village as two “tunnel workers” and a 13 year old boy.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Muhammad Salem Kamal Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

TS595

Incident date

May 17, 2023

Location

Ain Issa camp, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023.

Hawar News reported that during the second incident in Ain Issa district on May 17th, two civilians were injured when Turkish forces bombarded Ain Issa camp. Correspondents for Hawar added that the shelling caused an outbreak of fire in the camp, and firefighting teams could not reach the scene to put out the fire due to continuous shelling. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that both civilians injured were taken to the hospital to receive treatment, and an image posted by Hawar News shows two men being treated for injuries.

Ronahi TV provided the names of the injured: Muhammad Al-Balikh and Mahmoud Al-Jassem.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Muhammad Al-Balikh Age unknown male injured
  • Mahmoud Al-Jassem Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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

TS593

Incident date

May 11, 2023

Location

قرية تل اللبن, Tel Al Laban village, Al Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and four other civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Tal Al Laban around 10am on May 11, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a civilian was killed and four others were wounded when Turkish forces bombarded the village of Tal Al Laban. Hawar also published the names of the civilian killed: Muhammad Abdel-Fattah Hussein (38 years), and the names of the wounded: Khalis Haji Hudhaifa (35) years, Abdullah Ez al-Din Aliwi (27 years), Ibrahim Muhammad Kraff (38 years), Hafez Muhammad Kraff (27 years old).The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that the wounded sustained injuries to varying degrees and were taken to the hospital.

Zagros News added that the heavy artillery shelling also resulted in material losses to the properties and homes of civilians. All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkish forces.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

  • Muhammad Abdel-Fattah Hussein 38 years old killed
  • Khalis Haji Hudhaifa 35 years old injured
  • Abdullah Ez al-Din Aliwi 27 years old injured
  • Ibrahim Muhammad Kraff 38 years old injured
  • Hafez Muhammad Kraff 27 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Tal al-Laban on May 11, 2023. (Image posted by ANF)

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
    1
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS592

Incident date

May 3, 2023

Location

قرية بحيره, Bahira, Amuda district, Al Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 49 year old man was allegedly shot and injured by Turkish border guards in the village of Bahira on May 3, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a civilian was wounded by live bullets fired by the Turkish army. A relative of the injured civilian told a Hawar reporter that live bullets fired between 14:00 and 14:30 injured Abdelaziz Darbo, 49, in the village of Bahira. The bullet struck Abdelaziz in the back while he was watering his agricultural land, which in not along the border, and he was taken to the People’s Hospital in Amuda district. Hawar reported that at the time of publishing, Abdelaziz had been released from the hospital and was in stable condition. Xeber24 and ANF reported similar details.

The three sources that reported on the incident attributed the shooting to border guards.

The incident occured between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm local time.

  • Abdelaziz Darbo 49 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS591

Incident date

April 24, 2023

Location

قرية عين العبد, Ain el-Abd village, Al Hasaka, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two young girls and a boy were killed and two other children were injured, all of which were from the same family, by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Ain al-Abd on April 24, 2023.

Hawar News reported that two young sisters were killed and two young brothers and a sister were injured by intense Turkish shelling of the village of Ain al-Abd at 18:00. Hawar added that the injured were taken to Martyr Legrin Hospital in Tal Tamr for treatment.

Hawar News also provided the names of the children killed and injured: Maryam Khader Aweys (10 years old) and Etidal Aweys (9 years old) were both killed, Abdul Aziz, Diaa and Zahra Khader Aweys were injured.

Just hours later, Hawar News reported that one of the children, Abdul Aziz age 8, died from the severe injuries he sustained in the shelling.

Journalist Abbas Abbas reported that the bombing also resulted in extensive damage to property, and fear among civilians living in the affected areas.

All of the sources attributed the shelling to Turkey.

The incident occured at 18:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the children injured by alleged Turkish shelling of he village of Ain al-Abd on April 24, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the children killed and injured by alleged Turkish shelling of he village of Ain al-Abd on April 24, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

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
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS590

Incident date

March 20, 2023

Location

جنديرس, Jindires district, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four men from the same family were killed and three others, including a child with special needs, were injured when Turkish mercenaries alleged shot them during Newroz celebrations in Jandrisa district on March 20, 2023.

Local sources told Hawar News that the mercenaries of Ahrar al-Sharqiya opened fire on civilians in Jandrisa district while they were lighting a Newroz fire on the roof of their house, killed four people from one family and injuring three others.

Hawar News published the names of the civilians killed: Farah al-Din Othman (43 years old) – Muhammad Muhammad Othman (38 years old) – Muhammad Ismail Othman (18 years old) – Nazmi Muhammad Othman (53 years old). The three older family members killed were brothers, and the youngest was a son/nephew. Afrin News added that the minor Firas Abdo Khalil, 14 years old with special needs, was also injured in the shooting.

The Syrian Democratic Council identified the victims as a Kurdish family living in a refugee tent because they were displaced by the February 6th earthquake.

Ms. Rosheen Othman, the sister of the three brothers who were killed and the mother of the younger man killed, told the Syrian Democratic Council that she was hiding inside the tent during the attack with her son and she tried to prevent her son from exiting the tent, but he wanted to help his father and other relatives. He ran out and was shot in the heart, and died instantly.

Afrin News detailed that “Nazmi” was sitting outside near the fire when he was first assaulted and threatened, then machine gunned heavily until the rest of his family came out to help and they were hit in the chest and stomach, each victim sustaining 10-15 bullet wounds.

According to private sources who spoke to Hawar News, the injured and killed civilians were transferred to the “military hospital” in Afrin but the hospital refused to treat the injured so they were transferred to a hospital in the town of Atmeh, which is under the occupation of “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.”

Hawar News reported that following the massacre against the family, demonstrations against the Turkish military and its mercenary groups occurred in Afrin and the surrounding villages, with the protestors refusing to hold a funeral until the perpetrators of the massacre were held accountable. The “Military Police” announced that they had arrested the perpetrator – “Hassan al-Daba'”, the leader of the “Ahrar al-Sharqiya” mercenaries – however Hawar News speculated that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham was also involved. Afrin News named the perpetrators as “Omar Saleh Al-Asmar, born in 2000 AD, Habib Ali Khalaf, born in 2004 AD, Bilal Ahmed Al-Aboud, born in 2000 AD) with direct support and attribution from the so-called “Ali Khalaf / Abu Habib Khasham.”

The Syrian Democratic Council also documented connection between the mercenary group and Turkish forces, stating that “Jaish al-Sharqiya is one of main Turkish-backed terrorist groups controlling the Syrian district of Afrin…These militants benefit from training and equipment provided by the Turkish government. The militants are given money, weapons, and the authority to conduct activities by Turkish officials.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Firas Abdo Khalil 14 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of the victims of a shooting allegedly carried out by Turkish mercenaries near Afrin on March 20, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • The victims of a shooting allegedly carried out by Turkish mercenaries near Afrin on March 20, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS589

Incident date

March 4, 2023

Location

قرية بغديك, Bagdik village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Bagdik village in eastern countryside of Kobani on March 4, 2023.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two civilians were injured and taken to the hospital after sustaining injuries from mortar fire launched by Turkish forces on Bagdik village.

Hawar News also reported that “civilians” were injured and provided the name of one of the civilians who was injured, and who was taken to Kobani Hospital to undergo surgery and was in critical condition at the time of reporting: Ahmed Asaad Hamza, 28 years old.

Hawar News included details that a number of people’s homes were destroyed in the village of Bagdik, and ARTA FM added that homes in the village of Kolteb were also destroyed.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkish forces, with some referring to mortar shells as being used while ANF reported that howitzers carried out the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Ahmed Asaad Hamza 28 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    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 (4) [ collapse]

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
    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 (4) [ collapse]