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

TS424

Incident date

March 26, 2020

Location

تل رفعت , Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported injured when Turkish forces stationed near Azaz fired several rockets on Tal Rifa’at in Aleppo, Syria on March 26th, 2020. The injured civilians are IDPs originally from Afrin living in Tal Rifa’at.

@NadiaAbidd reported that “Two civilians were injured in Tel Rifaat city as a result of rocket fire from the Turkish armed forces positioned in the Azaz area.”

Afrin Post said the city was bombed with shells and heavy weapons. One of the injured civilians was identified as Abd al-Rahman Ibrahim, aged 33.

Also according to Rojava Information Center on Twitter, five shells struck down the city of Tal Rifa’at. In addition to injuring the two civilians, the shelling resulted in damaging a water pipe feeding the city which left around 25,000 people without drinking water.

 

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Rahman Ibrahim
33 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tal Rifaat (تل رفعت) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.472576 37.096272. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • 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]

Incident Code

TI045

Incident date

August 3, 2020

Location

Nohadra, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

36.856117, 42.980832 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that civilians died in alleged Turkish airstrikes on civilian vehicles in Nohadra, Duhok governorate, on August 3rd, 2020.

Syria C Press wrote that “more civilians were killed on Monday in Nohadra (Duhok) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a result of the ongoing Turkish military operation in northern Iraq after their car was targeted by a Turkish air strike.”

Currently, further information is unavailable.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Nohadra, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.856117, 42.980832. 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS466

Incident date

March 14, 2021

Location

الزنفل, Al Zanfil, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.613878, 37.823240 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported killed and others injured, also including children, in alleged Turkish or pro-Turkey militants shelling on Zankil village, east of Manbej, Aleppo on March 14th.

The child victim was identified as Yamen Ali Ayntabi. It was reported that the shelling took place in the morning.

North Press Agency said that the Turkish shelling targeted the village’s school. “Turkish shelling targeted the village’s school, killing an eight-year-old child and injuring another, who was transferred to a hospital in the city.”

ANHA said that four mortars landed in the village and that “as a result, the child Furqan Ibrahim Ayntabi and the child Yasser Ibrahim Ayntabi were severely injured, while the child Yamen Ali Ayntabi was killed instantly.”

The incident occured at 09:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Yamen Ali Ayntabi يامن علي عينتابي
8 years old male killed
Furqan Ibrahim Ayntabi فرقان إبراهيم عينتابي
Child female injured
Yasser Ibrahim Ayntabi ياسر إبراهيم عينتابي
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Two children were reported injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Zankil village in Manbej on March 14th. (image via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a school being struck in the village of Al Zanfil (الزنفل). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Zanfil are: 36.613878, 37.823240.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS475

Incident date

October 2, 2021

Location

قرية معلك, Malak village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.386051, 38.860960 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one child was injured in alleged Turkish shelling on the village of Malak on October 2, 2021.

According to Alyaum TV, a civilian who was tending to his sheep was injured in Turkish shelling of the village of Malak.

Xeber 24 reported that the civilian injured was a 16 year old boy named Adel Muslim and he was transferred to Ain Issa district hospital to be treated for his wounds. At the time of the strikes, Adel was grazing his sheep near the Ain Issa camp when a shell landed near him and hit him.

All of the sources that reported on the strike attributed the shells to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adel Muslim
16 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Adel Muslim, 16 years old, who was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Malak on October 2, 2021. (Image posted by ANF News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Malak (معلك), allegedly located 1km west of Ain Issa (عين عيسى). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ain Issa are: 36.386051, 38.860960.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    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

TS501

Incident date

April 18, 2022

Location

خضراوي, Khadrawi village, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.918755, 40.346459 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One young girl was injured in alleged Turkish artillery shelling of the village of Khadrawi on April 18, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a little girl was injured by Turkish artillery shelling of her family’s house in Khadrawi village. SOHR added that “Turkish intensive shelling on the countryside of Tel Tamr and Abu Rasin has continued since the early morning hours of Monday, causing material damage to civilian houses” and causing a “massive exodus of civilians from the area”.

Hawar News also reported that Turkish forces bombed Khadrawi village. However, they did not mention any civilian casualties. Qamishli Media Center also identified a “minor girl” as having been injured in the artillery shelling from Turkish forces.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    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 (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khadrawi (خضراوي), the generic coordinates for which are: 36.918755, 40.346459. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    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

TS535

Incident date

July 26, 2022

Location

قرية شيخ عيسى , Sheikh Issa village, Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.478306, 37.146936 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and three to five civilians were injured as a result of an alleged Turkish attack on Sheikh Issa village, in Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria on July 26th 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three women and a man were injured, whilst ANHA Arabic reported that six women were injured. According to the ANHA news correspondent, the names of those injured were Rawash Rasho, aged 50, Lamia Hassan, aged 41, Kawthar Mustafa, aged 17, Fawzia Rasho, aged, 20 years old, Sawsan Mustafa and Atriya Shobak, aged 20 and that all of them were transferred to the hospital for treatment.

On August 1, 2022, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one of the women that was injured died from the injuries she sustained.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 50 rocket and artillery shells were fired, most which landed in this area, along with the flying of Turkish reconnaissance aircraft in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rawash Rasho
50 years old female injured
Lamia Hassan
41 years old female injured
Kawthar Mustafa
17 years old male injured
Fawzia Rasho
20 years old female injured
Sawsan Mustafa
Age unknown female injured
Atriya Shobak
20 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Between four and six civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Sheikh Issa village, Aleppo on July 26th 2022 (Image via ANHA Arabic / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sheikh Issa (قرية شيخ عيسى ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.478306, 37.146936. 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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

TS560

Incident date

October 12, 2022

Location

شيراوا, Sherawa district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.466500, 36.887006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

36.464198, 36.866351 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map 36.410735, 36.862676 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three women, including a pregnant woman, were killed and children were injured in clashes between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Turkish forces-associated Levant Front in the Sherawa district of Afrin on October 12, 2022.

Hawar News reported that three women, including a pregnant woman, were killed and children were injured in the clashes, specifically artillery shelling and tanks, between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the Levant Front in occupied Afrin. A local source told Hawar that the casualties occurred in the villages of Burj Abdalo, Karzila and Ain Dara in Sherawa district, and that the pregnant woman named Fatima Mahmoud al-Abed that was killed was from the village of Karzila.

Al Khabour posted on Facebook that one of the women was killed by artillery shelling by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham on the village of Burj Abdalo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified a woman as being killed by “indiscriminate bullets and shrapnel” but did not specify which village in Sherawa district.

A video posted by Ahmad M. Ahmad shows the moment a shell fell on the home of a civilian in the village of Karzila.

Source were conflicted as to whether the casualties were caused by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the Levant Front, a Turkish proxy fighting force.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Mahmoud al-Abed
Adult female pregnant killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Rebel Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of clashes between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the Levant Front in Afrin on October 12, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • What is happening since this morning in the city of Afrin and its environs is fierce battles between the armed factions affiliated with Turkey. Artillery shelling targeting the vicinity of the city of Afrin at these moments. Violent clashes in the villages of Shirawa district, extending to the outskirts of Afrin. - Violent clashes inside the village of Karzila/Krzyhel in Shirawa district. -According to a call I had with my parents inside the Jindires district, the sounds of violent clashes are heard from the south of the district, and the clashes are concentrated in the villages of Deir Ballut and Muhammadiyah. The video below shows the moment a shell fell on the house of a civilian in the village of Karzila / Karzyhel. "We wish safety to our people in the city of Afrin and its villages"

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the villages of Karzila (قرزيحل), Ayn Dara (عين دارة), and Burj Abdalo (برج عبد الله). The generic coordinates for Karzila are: 36.466500, 36.887006. The generic coordinates for Ayn Dara are: 36.464198, 36.866351. The generic coordinates for Burj Abdalo are: 36.410735, 36.862676. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the locations further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Rebel Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Rebel Forces
  • Rebel Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Rebel Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS589

Incident date

March 4, 2023

Location

بغديك, Bagdik, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.735505, 38.659869 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

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.

The victims were named as:

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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bagdik (بغديك), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.735505, 38.659869. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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