Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

TS521

Incident date

June 28, 2022

Location

خان الجبل, Khan Al Jabal, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.083185, 42.081874 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

37.0832, 42.0819 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to three civilians were injured after a Turkish drone targeted two cars in Khan Al  Jabal, south-east of Derik in Syria on June 28th 2022 at approximately 03.20. There were reports of one person killed but it is not possible to determine whether they were a belligerent or civilian from the current information.

According to the North Press Agency, three civilians were wounded and they were taken to the Martyr Khabat Hospital in Qamishli.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a Turkish drone targeted a SDF military vehicle and a vehicle carrying tunnel diggers, leaving at least one person dead and “others” injured, some seriously, so the death toll is believed to rise.

Shaam reported that there were four injured SDF members as a resut of the drone strike.

Local sources told Khabar 24 that “one of the two cars was carrying a group of workers, which resulted in injuries among them, and there were reports of victims.”

The incident occured at 03:20:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Turkish military targeted two cars in Khana Sery on June 28th 2022 (Image via ANHA English / Facebook)
  • At least two civilians were killed during a reported Turkish forces attack on two cars near Derik in Syria on June 28th 2022 (Image via North Press Agency)
  • At least two civilians were killed during a reported Turkish forces attack on two cars near Derik in Syria on June 28th 2022 (Image via Baladi)
  • At least two civilians were killed during a reported Turkish forces attack on two cars near Derik in Syria on June 28th 2022 (Image via Xeber 24)
  • At least two civilians were killed during a reported Turkish forces attack on two cars near Derik in Syria on June 28th 2022 (Image via Xeber 24)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khan Al Jabal (خان الجبل). Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 37.083185, 42.081874.

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  • Imagery:
    @RISEUP4ROJAVA

  • Imagery:
    Iswnews

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
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS520

Incident date

June 27, 2022

Location

تل اللبن, Tal Al Laban, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.614291, 40.199682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was reported killed in a Turkish drone strike on Tal al-Laban, Tal Tamr, in the north-west of Al-Hasakah, Syria, on June 27th 2022.  It is unclear whether this was a belligerent or civilian. Despite having limited reports of this attack, some indicate that the person injured was a “citizen” and others mention that he was a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Turkish drone targeted a military post where Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Tel Tamr Military Council forces were stationed and that one SDF member was transferred to a field hospital for treatment.

There is no further detail of the person injured at this time and any new information will be updated to this assessment.

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Al Laban (تل اللبن), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.614291, 40.199682. 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
    0 – 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI083

Incident date

June 17, 2022

Location

كلار, Kalar, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Geolocation

34.626923, 45.318998 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four people were killed and one was injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the town of Kalar on June 17, 2022. Conflicting reporting was given as to whether all of those killed and injured were members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or whether at least one of the people killed, Hussein Shibli, was in a civilian political role in the government.

Rudaw News reported that a Turkish drone struck a car carrying alleged members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), killing at least four PKK affiliates and injuring another, adding that a jeep vehicle was set on fire when it was hit by a Turkish drone at around 9:30am.

Kurdistan 24 also quoted the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) of the Kurdistan Region’s Security Council (KRSC) in reporting that five people were in the car that was hit, four were killed and one was wounded, and did not elaborate on the identities of the casualties.

According to Alaraby News, Hussein Shibli, co-chairman of the executive council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), was one of the people killed in the drone strike. He was reportedly on a formal visit to the Iraqi Kurdistan region, according to AANES officials. “Our comrade Hussein Shibli, also known as Farhad Shibli, was on a formal visit to the Kurdistan region for medical treatment. He was martyred in a terrorist attack in Kalar,” Avin Swed, representative of the AANES in the Kurdistan region told The New Arab, quoted by Alaraby, in a phone interview. She added that DNA tests confirmed that Shibli was killed, the driver of the car has been injured, and the identity of the three others has yet to be identified as they were badly burnt.

The Arab Weekly quoted Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, who reported on Sunday that the Turkish intelligence service managed to “neutralise the Syrian terrorist Hussein Shibli, the co-chair of the so-called Central Executive Council of the Syrian Autonomous Administration of the terrorist PKK organisation, in the city of Sulaymaniyah” in northern Iraq, and that he was “close to Farhad Abdi Shaheen, one of the leaders of the YPG/PKK in Syria”.

The Syrian Democratic Forces described Shibli as a “political leader in building and achieving organisational, intellectual and social construction projects” in Syria. Bedran Chiya Kurd, Co-chairmanship of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, issued a statement that “targeting  our comrade Ferhad who was on a civil and humanitarian mission in Southern Kurdistan in the Kelar region that is some 200 km away from Turkish borders comes within the terrorist acts that target the best of our fighters in the Region”.

The Arab Weekly also referred to “observers” that suggested instead that the assassination was carried out by a locally-operated suicide drone or by the detonation of an explosive device under his car, but did not specify who was then responsible for this operation. All other sources attributed the drone strike 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
  • 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
    5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle in the town of Kalar on June 17, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle in the town of Kalar on June 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan24)
  • Hussein Shibli, also known as Farhad Shibli, referred to by conflicting sources as being a member of the PKK or a political figure, was killed by an alleged Turkish drone strike on Kalar town on June 17, 2022. (Image posted by The Arab Weekly)
  • Hussein Shibli, also known as Farhad Shibli, referred to by conflicting sources as being a member of the PKK or a political figure, was killed by an alleged Turkish drone strike on Kalar town on June 17, 2022. (Image posted by The Arab Weekly)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kalar (كلار), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.626923, 45.318998. 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
  • 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
    5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI081

Incident date

June 15, 2022

Location

سنونو, Sunin, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.468563, 41.710257 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one to five civilians were reportedly killed, and three to ten were injured in Sunin, Sinjar, Iraq, as a result of an attack by a Turkish drone on June 15th 2022.  Up to six militants were also reported killed in this attack.

One child, Salah Shifan Khader Nassou, aged 11 or 12, was reported as killed in this attack. Kurdistan 24 reported that he was killed by the strike while in his father’s shop nearby.  A few local sources reported that another of the deceased was the father or grandfather of Salah, Khader Nassau.

On the 24th of June, Kurdistan24 reported that Ibrahim Avdi Darwish, 45, had died as a result of wounds he had sustained during the strike in Sinjar on the 15th of June. Mr. Darwish worked for a local non-governmental organization, according to his family. He had six children.

Rudaw reported that “a health official from Sinun’s hospital told [the reporter] that the attack killed at least one person and injured 10 others, all civilians,” but that “Firat News Agency (ANF) affiliated with the PKK raised the toll of deaths to two, noting that there are no official numbers of those injured.”

Bas News reported that the Iraqi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the drone strike and said that four civilians were killed in this attack, while Kurdistan 24 put the overall death count at six but did not specify if they were civilians or belligerents.

It also reports that one of the injured was a reporter for Çira TV, named Saleh Barjas, and another child.

Roj News reported that the Turkish attack also resulted in material damage to the Sunin Council building, which was also reported as PKK headquarters in other sources.  Kurdistan 24 reported that “Turkish airstikes targeted a Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) headquarters in Sinjar’s Sinin subdistrict, the Kurdistan Region Security Council’s (KRSC) Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) confirmed on Wednesday.”

Bas News and other local sources reported that this was an airstrike against the YBS Forces, a group affiliated with the PKK, and that several of its militants were killed or injured, according to Kurdistan Region’s Counter-Terrorism Unit. These reports differed however, and Qasim Shasho, a Peshmega commander told Bas News that the airstrike actually targeted the PKK-linked Ezidkhan Security Forces, because a meeting with the groups’ leaders was taking place.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Salah Shifan Khader Nassou
11 or 12 years old male killed
Khader Nassou
male reported as Father or Grandfather of Salah

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Avdi Darwish
45 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1 child1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • 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
    6

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Salah Shifan Khader Nassou, reportedly killed by a Turkish drone in Sunin, Sinjar on June 15th 2022 (Image via شنكال سنجار مدينتي / Facebook)
  • Ibrahim Avdi Darwish succumbed to the injuries he sustained from the June 15 drone attack in Sinjar's Snuny (Photo: Submitted to Kurdistan 24)
  • Salah Nassou, reported to be killed by a Turkish drone was 11 or 12 years old (Image via Shinkal my city / Facebook)
  • The aftermath of a Turkish drone strike which killed one child, aged 11 or 12 on June 15th 2022 in Sinjar (Image via Shinkal my city / Facebook)
  • Kurdistan 24 reports from Sinjar at the aftermath of the reported Turkish drone strike on June 15th 2022 (Image via Kurdistan 24)
  • Aftermath of Turkish drone strike reported to have hit Sunin in Sinjar, on June 15th 2022 (Image via Bas News)
  • A reported Turkish drone hit Sinjar on June 15th 2022 (Image via Darkamaz)
  • @sebusher tweeted a photo of Salah Nassau, reportedly killed by a Turkish drone on June 15th 2022 (Image via Twitter)
  • @ahad_en reports from the alleged Turkish bombing on June 15th 2022 (Image via Twitter)
    A message from Salah's father, who was killed on June 15th 2022. Other reports indicated that Salah's father or grandfather was also killed in the strike (Image via @murad_ismael / Twitter)
  • @ahad_en reports from the alleged Turkish bombing on June 15th 2022 (Image via Twitter)
    A message from Salah's father, who was killed on June 15th 2022. Other reports indicated that Salah's father or grandfather was also killed in the strike (Image via @murad_ismael / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a stationery shop in the town of Sunin (سنونو). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, Airwars has narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 36.468563, 41.710257.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1 child1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • 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
    6

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM347

Incident date

June 3, 2022

Location

Yaaq-Zaluul, Beer Xaani, Somalia

Geolocation

0.218985, 42.177213 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) declared an airstrike in a remote location near Beer Xaani, in the vicinity of Yaaq-Zaluul, in Somalia on June 3rd 2022.  They declared that five Al-Shabaab militants were killed in this attack but that no civilians were injured or killed.

In local reports, this was repeated and there were no allegations of civilian harm in this strike.

AFRICOM released a statement which stated “The command’s initial assessment is that five al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in action and that no civilians were injured or killed given the remote nature of where this enagement occured.”

They mentioned that this strike was in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia and it was conducted aganst Al-Shabaab militants after they attacked partner forces.  The Ministry of Information in Somalia also repeated this information in a statement released on Twitter.

Halgan Media reported that US troops and Somalia ground forces were ambushed west of the coastal city of Kismaayo in Somalia’s Lower Jubba privince. They reported that “during the midst of the ambush, US military aircraft believed to be an unmanned aerial vehicle commonly referred to as a drone carried out at an airstrike at the site of the ambush.”

This is the first known US strike since President Biden signed an order on May 16th, deploying hundreds of US troops back into Somalia.

Most of the sources were reporting information from official Somali or US sources.  This could be due to the remote location.  This assessment will be updated as we recieve more information.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The Somalia Ministry of Information released a statement, declaring AFRICOM's strike on Al-Shabaab militants on June 3rd 2022.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Yaaq-Zaluul, allegedly within the locality of Beer Xaani. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Beer Xani are: 0.218985, 42.177213.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Beer Xaani, Somalia 3 June 2022. U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in support of designated partner forces.

The command’s initial assessment is that five al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in action and that no civilians were injured or killed given the remote nature of where this engagement occurred.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. These efforts contrast with the indiscriminate attacks that al-Shabaab regularly conducts against the civilian population.

The Federal Government of Somalia and the U.S. remain committed to fighting al-Shabaab to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians.

Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to the U.S. and regional interests.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI079

Incident date

May 21, 2022

Location

مەخموور, Makhmur, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.75382, 43.605244 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and seven others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Makhmur refugee camp on May 21, 2022. In addition, one to two alleged members of the PKK were killed in the same incident.

Camp director Nechirvan Mahmoud told AFP that a suspected Turkish drone struck a vehicle in Makhmur refugee camp, killing a resident.

According to @SweeneySteve, at least seven people were injured in the strikes on Makhmour refugee camp. @dersi4m reported that a young man named Haci Mirza Ali who was injured in the same strikes died from his injuries the following day.

BasNews reported that according to a Turkish security source, the person killed was a senior commander of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) named Mehmet Erdogan, codenamed Ahmet Rubar. “The source added that Rubar had directed and overseen the PKK operations in the northern areas of Makhmur, Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk since 2021. He used a fake ID card under the name Haji Mirza Ali, the source revealed.” Overall, BasNews identified “several people” as being killed and injured.

A tweet from @nicolas62574020 added that Turkey’s national intelligence organization accused Erdogan of “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order and violating Turkey’s territorial integrity” after joining the PKK in 1990. @SardarSattar added that “several PKK members” were killed in a PKK vehicle.

In contrast to reporting that those killed were militants, Media News reported that the vehicle struck belonged to the civilian and none of the sources specifically refer to Haci Mirza Ali as being a member of the PKK.

The New Arab pointed out that Makhmur refugee camp hosts more than 12,000 Kurdish refugees and that the camp is being sponsored by the United Nations.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), one of the two major political parties in the KRI, released a statement condemning the drone strike: “We call on the Iraqi government to fulfil its constitutional and national obligation to protect Iraqi soil and air space, including the KRI. The Iraqi government should approach the Turkish government about these violations through diplomatic channels. The KRI administration should summon Turkey’s ambassador and communicate to him its discontent with these attacks. There can be no excuse for border violations of this nature, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.”

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

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

The victims were named as:

Haci Mirza Ali
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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
    1–2

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Mehmet Erdogan, who was killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Makhmur camp on May 21, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Mehmet Erdogan, who was killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Makhmur camp on May 21, 2022. Turkey has accused Erdogan of being a member of the PKK. (Image posted by @nicolas62574020)
  • Truck hit by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Makhmur camp on May 21, 2022. (Image posted by @nicolas62574020)
  • Truck hit by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Makhmur camp on May 21, 2022. (Image posted by @nicolas62574020)
  • Residents of Makhmur camp surround the truck hit by alleged Turkish drone strikes on May 21, 2022. (Image posted by @dersi4m)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in Makhmur (مەخموور) refugee camp. Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the exact location of the strike to these coordinates: 35.75382, 43.605244.

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  • Imagery:
    Medya News

  • Imagery:
    Medya News

  • Imagery:
    Medya News

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
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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
    1–2

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS130

Incident date

April 18, 2022

Location

جرابلس,, Jarablous, Syria

Geolocation

36.817600, 38.015344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three volunteers from the Syrian Civil Defense were injured on April 18th 2022 by alleged artillery shelling from the Syrian Democratic Forces. The volunteers were targeted while they were searching for a missing person, subjected to previous shelling on the bank of the Euphrates River in the city of Jarabulus, east of Aleppo.  The previous strike was reported in assessment YS129. These two incidents (YS129 and YS130) constitute a ‘double strike’ attack.

One of the volunteers, “Nidal”, described the moment he ahs his colleagues were targeted. He said, “the place was very dangerous, we took two injured young men and started running around a third missing young man. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, there was a strong explosion, and dust and shrapnel filled the place. My colleague “Omar” was the driver. He walked a small distancce to save us from the danger of bombing until the rest of our colleagues were able to reach us. After that, “Omar” is unconscious, but thank God his situation is better, it is not the first time we are exposed to danger…”

The SDF responded to these reports in a press statement which said “sites and pages belonging to the mercenaries of the Turkish occupation published false news about a hypothetical artillery bombardment attributed to our forces that targeted a car and a number of people in the occupied city of Jarabulus, killing and wounding a number of people, including mercenary soldiers, according to those sources.

We confirm that our forces did not carry out any attack during the last period in the mentioned area, and attributing that attack to our forces aims to cover up the real actor behind which the Turkish occupation intelligence hides. Evidence and field investigations, according to the published photos of the place of targeting and the targeted vehicle, confirm that the attack was carried out by a drone that penetrated the Syrian airspace, and is usually repeated by the Turkish occupation’s drones.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
    YPG

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via Euphrates / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that three of their volunteers were injured in a 'double tap' strike allegedly by the Syrian Democratic Forces on April 18th 2022 in Jarabulus (Image via Euphrates / Facebook)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the outskirts of Jarablous (جرابلس). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to these exact coordinates: 36.817600, 38.015344.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[38.015344,36.8176]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[38.0169814825058,36.81671458254809],[38.017534017562866,36.81671458254809],[38.017534017562866,36.81708820489267],[38.0169814825058,36.81708820489267],[38.0169814825058,36.81671458254809]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[38.015044927597046,36.81643114369081],[38.01544725894928,36.81643114369081],[38.01544725894928,36.81672746610755],[38.015044927597046,36.81672746610755],[38.015044927597046,36.81643114369081]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[38.015417754650116,36.81765507669141],[38.015712797641754,36.81765507669141],[38.015712797641754,36.817859063622066],[38.015417754650116,36.817859063622066],[38.015417754650116,36.81765507669141]]]}}]}

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources. Imagery: Syria Civil Defense.

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources. Imagery: Syria Civil Defense.

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG 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
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS129

Incident date

April 18, 2022

Location

جرابلس, Jarablous, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.817600, 38.015344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was killed, and three people were injured when an alleged Syrian Democratic Force or PKK/PYD artillery shell hit a “family” on the bank of the Euphrates River in the city of Jarablus, in the eastern countryside of Aleppo on April 18th 2022. Despite many sources attributing the belligerent to the SDF, the SDF have disputed this.  In reports about the young man that died, it is contested as to whether he was a non-combatant or a militant.

One local source, @zelal_katee reported that the attack was with rocket-propelled grenades.

One person was initially missing, and their body was found hours later.

This event was followed by a strike which injured three Syrian Civil Defense volunteers who was looking for the missing man, reported in assessment YS130. These two incidents (YS129 and YS130) constitute a ‘double strike’ attack.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the young man who was killed was ‘a member of a faction loyal to Turkey’, but it is unclear whether he was a non-combatant or not which is reflected in the civilian harm range. @Almohrar1 reported that the young man’s name was Shadi Saleh Al-Mohammed, and he was affiliated with the Turkish National Army, including a photo of him in uniform.

The SDF responded to these reports in a press statement which said “sites and pages belonging to the mercenaries of the Turkish occupation published false news about a hypothetical artillery bombardment attributed to our forces that targeted a car and a number of people in the occupied city of Jarabulus, killing and wounding a number of people, including mercenary soldiers, according to those sources.

We confirm that our forces did not carry out any attack during the last period in the mentioned area, and attributing that attack to our forces aims to cover up the real actor behind which the Turkish occupation intelligence hides. Evidence and field investigations, according to the published photos of the place of targeting and the targeted vehicle, confirm that the attack was carried out by a drone that penetrated the Syrian airspace, and is usually repeated by the Turkish occupation’s drones.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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
    YPG
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that one person was killed and up to five others were injured, including three volunteers, when an artillery shell was reported to hit Jarablus on April 18th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that one person was killed and up to five others were injured, including three volunteers, when an artillery shell was reported to hit Jarablus on April 18th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • There were reports that one person was killed and up to five others were injured when an artillery shell was reported to hit Jarablus on April 18th 2022 (Image via @YusufAd76532779 / Twitter)
  • There were reports that one person was killed and up to five others were injured when an artillery shell was reported to hit Jarablus on April 18th 2022 (Image via @Almohrar1 / Twitter)
  • Shadi Saleh Al-Mohammed, affiliated with the National Army, was allegedly killed as a result of a missile attack by the SDF or YPG/PKK (Image via @Almohrar1 / Twitter)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the outskirts of Jarablous (جرابلس). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to these exact coordinates: 36.817600, 38.015344.

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  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources. Imagery: Syria Civil Defense.

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources. Imagery: Syria Civil Defense.

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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
    YPG
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (25) [ collapse]