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

TS032

Incident date

December 27, 2016

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between one and five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab, Syria.

Al Bab Al Hadath said that “one person was killed due to Turkish bombardment near the big mosque in Al-Bab city.”

According to LCCSY, eight people were killed in the Aleppo area and “the majority” of them in Al Bab.

The Syrian Network for Human rights reported three civilians dead.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Talal Awad Al-Waki
Adult male named by Al Bab Hadath killed
Abdo Mahmood Al-Waki
Adult male named by Al Bab Hadath killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (0–1 women2 men)
  • 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 city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (0–1 women2 men)
  • 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

TS034

Incident date

December 28, 2016

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between four and five civilians were reported killed in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab, Syria.

LCCSY reported: “By the end of the day, 16 people were killed in Aleppo, majority are by landmines by ISIS and Turkish artillery shelling in Al-Bab city.”

Smart News only mentioned Turkish airstrikes in the area in a report but no civilian casualties.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS016

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and five civilians were reportedly killed in a Turkish or Syrian regime artillery strike on Tadif outside Al Bab.

Nabd Syria reported: “Five civilians were killed and others injured by the artillery shelling of the Assad forces in Tadif in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.”

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq published a similar report, but accused Turkey of the attack: “A child killed and five others injured by Turkish artillery on the town of Tadif near the town of al Bab north east of Aleppo.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tadif (تادف), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.34857, 37.531501. 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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS086

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Location

كفرعنطون, Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, Afrin, Syria

Geolocation

36.506389, 37.039444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from the al-Yousef family (a mother and her two children) died, and another two civilains, and up to ten more non-combatants were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery bombardment of Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, Afrin, according to local media.

Welat FM, citing Afrin hospital, named the fatalities.

All other sources blamed Turkey for the civilian harm. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on July 4th: “Turkey begins its war against Syrian Kurds by killing citizens of an Arab family in the northern countryside of Aleppo. A woman and two of her children died and eight others were wounded.”

Defend Afrin put the death toll at four civilians with 10 more wounded.

Aylina Kilic published testimony from 40-year-old Sabah Isa, who was reportedly wounded in the Turkish shelling. She said: “Was it a mortar or shell, I don’t know…They fired it and I was on the balcony. I told the children to come inside. They were firing at the garden and surroundings””.

A report by Sputnik quoted Rezan Hedo, a member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council, who said: “Turkish artillery has shelled the villages of Kastel Cindo, Maryamayn, Jalbul and Shagura on the outskirts of Afrin. Two children and a woman died following the shelling in the village of Kafr Antun”.

Ali Ozkok added that 13 YPG fighters were also killed.

Multiple sources published images of casualties – including children – being treated in a medical facility. Graphic footage by Aylina Kilic appeared to show dead civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Ghazaleh al-Yousef
40 years old female killed
Muawiya al-Yousef
13 years old male killed
Tabarak al-Yousef
10 years old male killed
Khansa al-Yousef
13 years old female injured
Randa al-Yousef
23 years old female injured
Fida Yousef
19 years old female injured
Ayya al-Yusuf
16 years old female injured

The victims were named as:

Sabah Isa
40 years old female injured
Ayah, the daughter of Fida Hikmat Yousef
12 years old female killed
Amira Yousef
12 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing casualties and injured civilians following an alleged Turkish shelling of Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, July 3rd. (via AylinaKilic)
  • Map tweeted showing the location of the alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • Fires in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • Fires in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • Fires in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • Fires in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • The exact moment an alleged Turkish airstrike hit Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Pyd rojava)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video interviewsing injued civilians in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Hevallo)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Compilation of images documenting the alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Pyd rojava)
  • Footage showing civilians homes which were destroyed in the alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Erica)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video of the aftermath of the alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Erica)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Either injured or deceased civilians in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Either an injured or deceased civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Aylina Kilic)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Either an injured or deceased civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Aylina Kilic)
  • An injured woman recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Aylina Kilic)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Either an injured or deceased civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Al itihad press)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kafar Anton village, Shahaba (كفرعنطون), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.506389, 37.039444. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS067

Incident date

January 28, 2017

Location

تل بطنان, Tal Btan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.395556, 37.538889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes near Tal Btan, according to sources on the ground.

LCCSY wrote: “Eight dead in Aleppo, most of them killed by the Turkish jets during their escape from Alban to Tal Btan village.”

There is currently no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Btan (تل بطنان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.395556, 37.538889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS009

Incident date

November 14, 2016

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians were reported killed as a result of Turkish airstrikes or artillery shelling on Al Bab.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that bombing during the Euphrates Shield operation “resulted in the deaths of four people at least and dozens wounded, some of them still in critical condition.”

Rojava 24 tweeted: “Five civilians lost their lives as a result of Turkish shelling on the northern countryside of the town of Al-Bab.”

A Facebook site for the city later named two related victims of this event: “Ali al-Mastu al-Kalzi and Mustapha Mahmoud al-Kalzi, during the shelling of the city’s neighborhoods three days ago.”

The ISIS-affiliated propaganda outlet Al A’amaq reported “three dead and 27 injured civilians including three in critical condition following Turkish artillery bombardment on the city of Al Bab in the Aleppo countryside.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mustapha Mahmoud al-Kalzi
Age unknown male killed
Ali al-Mastu al-Kalzi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • '# Aleppo Activist for # Rojava 24: 5 Civilians lost their lives as a result of Turkish shelling on the northern countryside of the town of Al-Bab'

Geolocation notes

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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

CS335 TS005b

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Location

تل بطال, Tall Btal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.50018, 37.43927 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 3 and 4 displaced people were reported killed in camps near Tal Btal, a village south of Ra’i in the Aleppo countryside. It was unclear whether Turkey or the Coalition was responsible.

Ramaf reported that an attack hit a camp, claiming “the lives of three martyrs and [left] more than fifteen wounded as a result of being targeted by Turkish artillery. Ramaf named the three victims.

The ISIS-controlled propaganda unit al Al A’maq Agency reported that four civilians were killed, including a girl “when two tents were targeted with an American raid.”

Only two sources reported on this incident. There are no other known details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Ma’rouf
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Sheikh Nouri
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Adel
Age unknown male killed
A female child
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tall Btal (تل بطال), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.50018, 37.43927. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tal Btal, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 10th-11th the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions and two vehicles.” For October 11th-12th, the Coalition reported “Near Manbij, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit” and that “Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and a vehicle.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS056

Incident date

January 20, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians died and up to 13 more were wounded in alleged Turkish artillery and air strikes on Al Bab, Syria, local media reported.

According to Al Bab News, there were “three dead and 11 injured in a continuous Turkish aerial and artillery bombardment of Al Bab”.

Syria News Desk gave more detail on the event. It said: “Four civilians were killed and 13 others injured this afternoon [Jan 20th] by Turkish artillery and air raids targeting residential areas in the city of Bab under the control of the Islamic State Organization in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.

The source who, refused to reveal his identity, told the Syria News Desk that the Turkish warplanes launched more than 15 raids on the sites of the organization around the city, including three raids, residential sites near the roundabout Manshiyet central Bab, killing four Civilians and wounding four others.

Nine civilians, five of them from a single family, were injured when three artillery shells fired by the Turkish army targeted residential buildings near the industrial zone to the southeast of Bab.

The source added that the artillery and aerial bombardment resulted in the destruction of two residential buildings in full, and a large destruction of four other houses, in addition to the burning of two cars and damage to a number of shops and other property.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–13
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–13
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]