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

TS587

Incident date

February 16, 2023

Location

تل رفعت, Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 16th 2023, one civilian, a man named Yusef Abed, aged 70, was reportedly killed and one civilian was injured as a result of alleged Turkish forces’ artillery shelling of Tal Rifaat in the northern countryside of Aleppo, Syria.

Afrin Activists (شبكة نشطاء عفرين AAN) reported on Facebook that the other injured civilian was Sheikh Taha Abdel-Fattah, aged 50, who was “severely wounded.”

Many sources reported that this shelling caused material damage to the properties of the civilians, in an area which is already “amid a state of panic and chaos” as a result of the previous earthquake in February, and fear of new quakes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Youssef Obaid 70 years old male killed
  • Sheikh Taha Abdel Fattah 50 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • "The citizen 'Youssef Obaid, 70 years old' of the Arab component, lost his life and the citizen 'Sheikh Taha Abdel Fattah, 50 years old' was injured as a result of artillery shelling targeting the town of Tal Rifaat" (Image via Efrin News / Facebook)
  • "The citizen 'Youssef Obaid, 70 years old' of the Arab component, lost his life and the citizen 'Sheikh Taha Abdel Fattah, 50 years old' was injured as a result of artillery shelling targeting the town of Tal Rifaat" (Image via Efrin News / Facebook)
  • "The citizen 'Youssef Obaid, 70 years old' of the Arab component, lost his life and the citizen 'Sheikh Taha Abdel Fattah, 50 years old' was injured as a result of artillery shelling targeting the town of Tal Rifaat" (Image via Efrin News / Facebook)
  • "The citizen 'Youssef Obaid, 70 years old' of the Arab component, lost his life and the citizen 'Sheikh Taha Abdel Fattah, 50 years old' was injured as a result of artillery shelling targeting the town of Tal Rifaat" (Image via Efrin News / Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "The bombing of the Turkish occupation army on Tal Rifaat district of al-Shahba canton resulted in the death of an elderly person (70 years old) and the wounding of another" (Image via Rojinew)

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
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS586

Incident date

January 19, 2023

Location

رميلان, Rumailan, Al Hasaka, Syria

Airwars assessment

A SDF fighter was killed and another person, either another SDF fighter or a civilian, was injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes in the city of Rumailan on January 19, 2023.

A Facebook post by قامشلو الحدث Qamislo reported that a young man named Muhammad Diaa al-Din Hajji Muhammad was killed in the attack close to his wedding day. A Facebook post by the cousin of the victim named Alan Basho stated that the victim’s name was Rojhat Basho, which Hawar clarified is the victim’s “code name”.

Hawar News quoted a statement from the Syrian Democratic Forces who revealed that one of their fighters was killed and another person was wounded in the Turkish drone attack. According to the SDF, the fighter that was killed was working in the Department of Relations with the International Coalition. It is unclear if the other person injured was a fighter or a civilian.

Hawar News identified the location as the southern side of the town of Rumailan and the sources also quoted the SDF who stated that the drone struck a “military relations point in the town of “Rumailan” used to coordinate meetings with the international coalition forces.”

All of the sources attributed the attack to Turkish drones.

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
    0–1
  • 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
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Image of Muhammad Diaa al-Din Hajji Muhammad, an SDF fighter killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the city of Rumailan on January 19, 2023. (Image posted by قامشلو قلب كوردستان Qamislo heart of Kurdistan via Facebook)
  • Image of Muhammad Diaa al-Din Hajji Muhammad, an SDF fighter killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the city of Rumailan on January 19, 2023. (Image posted by قامشلو قلب كوردستان Qamislo heart of Kurdistan via Facebook)
  • Image of Muhammad Diaa al-Din Hajji Muhammad, an SDF fighter killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the city of Rumailan on January 19, 2023. (Image posted by صاعقة الشمال North industry via Facebook)

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG 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
    0–1
  • 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
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS585

Incident date

January 18, 2023

Location

القحطانية , Al-Qahtaniya Road in the countryside of Al-Hassakah, Al-Hassakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including a child died from injuries sustained during an alleged Turkish drone strike on Al-Qahtaniya Road in Al-Hasakah on January 18, 2023. One other civilian may have also been injured.

On January 18th 2023, a civilian was reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike on a vehicle Al-Qahtaniya Road, in Al-Hasakah countryside. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) added that the civilian killed was the driver and that the attack occurred in the afternoon.

According to Hawar News, one of the civilians wounded is named Ahmed Al-Salem, a 45 year old from the village of Girê Merk who was near the vehicle that was struck with the drone. Hawar News added that others were injured at the time, and that Ahmed was taken to a hospital in Qamishlo for treatment.

On January 20th, SOHR announced that a 12 year old child died of the wounds he sustained in the drone strike of the car. برجاف – FM added that this brought the death toll to two.

Hawar News provided the name of the child killed: Ahmed Abdel-Ghani Al-Salem. Hawar added that Ahmed received an injury to his head from shrapnel and later died from his injuries, adding that he was from the villages of the countryside of Tal Hamid district and that his family had been working on the Ari farm, which is close to the strike location. It is unclear if the child Ahmed is the same person as the injured man earlier referenced by Hawar with the wrong age or if the two victims are related.

On January 24th, SOHR announce another civilian had died of wounds sustained during the attack. Hawar News provided the name of the civilian that died: Abd al-Rahman Hussein Hussam, from the village of Kahnia Dreij in the Kujarat district of Derik district. SOHR added that Abd had been it by shrapnel in the head as well.

ANF reported the location of the strike as occurring on the road to Qamishlo and Derik at the “Ari” rest house at the junction of the village of Ma’shouq. All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the casualties to Turkish drones.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

  • Ahmed Al-Salem 45 years old injured
  • Ahmed Abdel-Ghani Al-Salem 12 years old male killed
  • Abd al-Rahman Hussein Hussam Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • ANHA correspondent said that the citizen who was wounded on the Turkish attack on the Qamishlo-Derik road, is called Ahmed Al-Salem.
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by ANF)
  • Another injured person died in an air attack of the Turkish occupation on the Qamishlo-Derik road on January 18, succumbing to his wounds.

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
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI090

Incident date

January 13, 2023

Location

قرية خليفان, Khalifan village, Erbil, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Two children were injured when Turkish forces allegedly shot them in the village of Khalifan on January 13, 2022.

Alyaum TV reported that two children were injured while grazing cattle in the “Khalifan” area of the “Sidkan” district when Turkish forces shot them. Hawar News (quoting Roj News Agency) added that the children were shot with live bullets and Ronahi TV added that the children were taken to the hospital.

Kurdistan24 provided the names of the children as Lazim Murad Hamadamin and Bahzad Awdi Yusif, referring to them as “shepherds.” Ehsan Chalabi, Mayor of Sidekan, told Kurdistan24 that the two injured civilians were in stable condition.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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]

  • Image of two children injured when Turkish forces allegedly shot them in Khalifan village on January 13, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Two children being treated for their injuries after Turkish forces shot them on January 13, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan24)

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
    2
  • 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

TS584

Incident date

January 7, 2023

Location

قرية الخالدية, Al-Khalidiyah village. Ain Issa district, Al-Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

On January 7th 2023, a child was reportedly wounded in a Turkish drone attack on Al-Khalidiyah village, Ain Issa district. He was identified as 10 years old Ali Khalifa Al-Ali. Sources added that he was injured in his left hand and was taken to hospital for treatment. Local sources reported the attack between 1 and 1:30 pm.

The incident occured between 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm local time.

  • Ali Khalifa Al-Ali 10 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the child reportedly injured by a Turkish drone strike in Al-Khalidiyah village Photo: ANHA English
  • The child Ali Khalifa Al-Ali allegedly injured in his left hand following a reported Turkish drone attack on January 7th 2023. Photo: وجيه درباس__Wecîh derbas

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS583

Incident date

December 25, 2022

Location

قرية تنب, Tenab village in Shara district. Afrin, Afrin, Syria

Airwars assessment

On December 25th 2022, a child was reportedly killed and between one to two civilians including a a child and a young man were reportedly injured by Turkish artillery shelling on a house in Tenab village (Tanab village), Shara district, Afrin. The attack also led to material damage.

Local sources identified the child killed as Asaad Mahameed (16 years old), and one of  the injured as his relative Ahmed Mahameed (17-18 years old). The second civilian injured was identified as Khaled Sheikh Taha (16 years old). However, several local sources recorded two civilians injured following the attack, while Ghadb Al-Shimal said one child was killed and a young man injured. SOHR claimed that Turkish forces launched a guided missile from Jabel village in Sherawa district.

ANHA added that the two injured were first taken to Tal Rifaat Hospital, and then to Afrin in al-Shahba district. The same source, quoting the director of Afrin hospital, said that one of them was seriously injured and transported to Aleppo for treatment. He said this choice was also due to lack of medical equipments and supplies in Afrin hospitals. The other one, whose injuries were qualified as “minor”, was later “discharged and taken home”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

  • Asaad Mahameed 16 years old male killed
  • Ahmed Mahameed 17-18 years old male injured
  • Khaled Sheikh Taha 16 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures of the child reportedly killed and the two other civilians injured, including a child, following reported Turkish shelling in Tenab village. Photo: Hawarnews
  • Picture following reported Turkish artillery shelling on Tanab village on December 25th 2022. Photo: آدار برس - Adar Press
  • Material damage following reported Turkish artillery shelling on Tenab village on December 25th 2022. Photo: آدار برس - Adar Press

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS582

Incident date

December 24, 2022

Location

قرية خزيموك, Khazimuk village, northeast of Al-Qahtaniya in the Qamishli countryside, north of Al-Hasakah, Hassakeh, Syria

Airwars assessment

On December 24th 2022, four civilians, three women and a child, were reportedly injured by a Turkish drone targeting a poultry farm. The attack was recorded at around noon, in Mezkift village (Mazkaft village) or near Khazimuk village, north of Hassakeh.

The women wounded were identified as Aisha Khalaf Ali, Jawaher Khaled Muhammad, Thawrat Al-Matar, and the child as Reham Azzam Al-Ali. They were reportedly working in the farm when the strike occurred. The injured were taken by Kurdish Red Crescent teams to a hospital in the district.

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

  • Aisha Khalaf Ali Adult female injured
  • Jawaher Khaled Muhammad Adult female injured
  • Thawrat Al-Matar Adult female injured
  • Reham Azzam Al-Ali Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "4 people, including a child wounded in Turkish drone attack 4 people, including a child, were wounded by a Turkish occupation army drone on the eastern countryside of Tirbe Spi district of Qamishlo canton in northeastern Syria." Source: ANHA English
  • Alleged pieces of a Turkish drone following its reported strike on a farm on December 24th 2022. Photo: NPA
  • "Four injured in a Turkish bombing in Tirbi Spiyyah". Photo: arta.fm

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS581

Incident date

December 22, 2022

Location

كوباني , Zor Maghar, west of Ain Al-Arab( kobani), countryside of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On December 22nd 2022, three civilians, working for the Water Directorate in Kobani, were reportedly injured while doing maintenance work by Turkish artillery or heavy weapons in Zor Maghar village (or Sheikh Fawqani village or Al-Shuyukh village), west of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The wounded were taken to Al-Amal hospital for treatment, located in Kobani city. Another source added that the shelling caused the destruction of a car and damage to a water station. Another civilian – a man, was allegedly injured in Jarqali village, west of Kobani, earlier the same day, by Turkish shelling.

The three maintenance workers injured were identified by local sources as Muslim Khalil Ismail (also referred to as “Muslim Hamo”), Bozan Sheikh Nabi, and Fadel Bazar. A medical source said that “their injuries ranged from serious to superficial” and that they were “under health monitoring in the intensive care unit”, while a source quoting the official website of the Autonomous Administration, said the injuries were “critical”.  According to two co-chairs of the Kobani Water Directorate of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), “the injured are workers and supervisors of water pumps that push water from the Euphrates River to Kobani, and their usual work is to supervise and maintain the pumps.” SOHR claimed “four civilians” were “seriously injured”. No details were provided regarding the identity of the fourth civilian injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Muslim Khalil Ismail (Muslim Hamo) 55 years old male injured
  • Bozan Sheikh Nabi 48 years old male injured
  • Fadel Bazar 49 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Water station
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • In front of al-Amal Hospital in Kobani city, families of civilians working for the Water Directorate who were reportedly injured in Turkish shelling on December 22nd 2022. Photo: NPA

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the three civilians in Al-Amal hospital, Kobani city, after being reportedly injured by Turkish artillery while doing maintenance in a water station on December 22nd 2022. Photo: ANHA English
  • A car was destroyed by a reported Turkish shelling close to Kobani city on December 22nd 2022. Source: Hawarnes
  • A water station was reportedly damaged by Turkish shelling in Kobani countryside on December 22nd 2022. Photo: Ezdina

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Three workers from Kobani Water Directorate were injured during a Turkish strike by heavy weapons" Source: ANHA

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Water station
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]