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

TS028

Incident date

December 21, 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 seven and 15 civilians, most of them apparently from one family, were reported killed in a Turkish bombardment of Al Bab, Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “the city is witnessing massive bombardment by the Turkish forces leading to the death of seven, the majority of them from one family, the number of the dead is likely to rise.”

The ISIS media propaganda outlet Al A’amaq published a similar report but said all the victims were from one family.

LCCSY and Al Bab News reported that 15 people were killed. Al Bab News added they were mostly from the Al Nako family and four of them children. In addition, one woman from the Al Masri family was reported dead.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Member of the Al Masri family
Adult female killed

Family members (4)

Member of the Al Nako family
Child killed
Member of the Al Nako family
Child killed
Member of the Al Nako family
Child killed
Member of the Al Nako family
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 15
  • (0–4 children0–1 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (7) [ 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
    7 – 15
  • (0–4 children0–1 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS416 TS024

Incident date

December 16, 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 eleven and 15 civilians were reported killed in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) action at al Bab.

According to LCCSY eleven civilians died, “most of them killed in Coalition raids on al Bab.”However, the source had consistently denied civilian harm from Turkish actions during the al-Bab campaign.

Al Bab News reported “more than 15 dead most of them women and children and dozens injured as a result of the bombardment on al Bab yesterday. There are families still under the rubble and the rescue operations are underway.”

However ISIS’s media wing reported “intense raids with more than 15 Turkish air raids and 180 shells falling on al Bab in the Aleppo countryside since dawn today.” And the Syrian Observatory reported that “Turkish warplanes bombed areas on the outskirts of al-Bab city which is under the control of the “Islamic State” northeast of Aleppo province, amid clashes in several places in the area between members of the organisation against the factions of Euphrates Shield supported by Turkish forces, which caused casualties.”

The Syrian Network suggested Free Syrian Army (FSA) or Turkish artillery may also have been responsible: “Three civilians from the same family including a child died in Der’ Al Furat forces, supported by Turkish forces, artillery fired shells on Al Bab city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, December 16, 2016.”

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as ‘Not credible for Coalition caused civcas.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Khaled Shaban reports more than 150 shells fired and 15 air raids targeting al Bab allegedly by Turkish forces and allied militias since dawn. 16th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)
  • Jahra online reports Turkish army declarations that they had destroyed 60 Daesh targets near al Bab amid accusations of killing civilians. 16th December 2016. (via Jahra)

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.

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 Al Bab, 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 December 15th-17th 2016 the Coalition has publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For December 14th to 20th, France reports 10 strikes: 8 in Iraq – 7 of which were in Mosul – and 2 in Syria. They reported that 16 targets were destroyed.

#Chammal : 10 frappes contre Daech en Irak et en Syrie cette semaine, 16 objectifs détruits.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS278

Incident date

March 16, 2018

Location

عفرين, Afrin hospital, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.509672, 36.858106 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 16 civilians died in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Afrin hospital, according to local media.

Pesmerge chali put the death toll and nine, while Rumaf and other sources said that 16 civilians died – reportedly “mostly children and women”.

According to the source Aldar xelil: Avrin Hospital was the only medical facility in service. It has been hit by 3 missiles. 15 bodies have been identified, and many more are scattered all over the place.

The BBC reported on the event, quoting an Afrin resident, ‘Ranya’: “At night there were air strikes targeting Afrin hospital. There were a lot of victims there and due to the intensive shelling people cannot go to get the bodies. Some bodies are still there on the street.”

Turkey denied carrying out the strikes on the hospital. In response, the SDF issued a statement accusing “Turkish media [of] hiding the massacres the invading Turkish state has committed against the people”. ANF reported on the SDF press release, as follows:

“The Avrin Hospital was bombed by invading Turkish state fighter jets on March 16, 2018. Dozens of civilians were martyred and killed in the bombing, and the hospital where thousands of civilians receive treatment was greatly damaged.

After the bombing, the Turkish state’s official news agency the Anadolu Agency published a video that shows a building close to the hospital. With this footage they had published, the Turkish state wants to hide the fact that they bombed a hospital with fighter jets.

We declare to the public that the Avrin Hospital has been bombed by Turkish jet fighters and that the building in the footage the Turkish state had published is not the hospital building.

The bombing of the hospital has been documented with photographs and videos”.

Sana, the regime’s official media, put the death toll at 16 with “dozens” more injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 16
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • An image reveals the destruction of the building that followed alleged Turkish airstrikes on Afrin hospital. (Source: SDF Press)
  • Another image reveals the destruction of the building that followed alleged Turkish airstrikes on Afrin hospital. (Source: SDF Press)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows some injured civilians in the medical care followed Turkish airstrikes on Afrin hospital (Source: @AzadiRojava)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows some injured civilians in the medical care followed Turkish airstrikes on Afrin hospital (Source: @AzadiRojava)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows many civilians dead bodies on the flour, killed followed Turkish airstrike on Afrin hospital, Afrin (Source: @AzadiRojava)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a man, killed followed Turkish airstrike on Afrin hospital, Afrin (Source: @AzadiRojava)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured child followed Turkish airstrikes on Afrin hospital (Source: @AzadiRojava)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows dead, and injured civilians followed the alleged Turkish airstrike on the Kurdish town of Afrin in northern Syria (sources : CNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The hospital in the aftermath of the Turkish raid. (via Aylina Kilic)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 16
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS135

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Location

كوبلة, Kobla village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.483495, 36.933987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between fourteen and seventeen named civilians from one family died in alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, according to local media. A further seven or more people were injured.

Afrin Now published a very graphic video depicting “cruel scenes of the victims of the massacre of the village of Kobla in the countryside of Afrin, as a result of Turkish shelling of the village”.

According to the source Rumaf, “thirteen people from one family were killed, leaving only four people alive (the father, the eldest son and his two young daughters).

Afrin Now, also naming the above, added that there were three other victims who had not been identified.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmud Kano
Adult male killed
Hassan Kano
13 years old male killed
Hussein Kano
Adult male killed
Hanadi Kano
17 years old female killed
Amira Kano
17 years old female killed
Kamal Kano
7 months years old male killed
Fatima abd Rabuh
40 years old female wife of Abdullah killed
Rawan al Aswad
20 years old female from Tal A’jjar Kana, the daughter in law of Abdulla killed
Jouriya Kino
45 years old female killed
Hussein
Child male son of Abdullah killed
Ali Kano
Child male still trapped under the rubble (dead) at time of publishing killed
Mohammed Abdullah Kano
Child male killed
Sefaa Kino
7 years old female killed
Rahaf al Hussen
33 years old female killed
Abdullah Kano
50 years old male Named as wounded by Free Afrin injured
Mohammed Abdullah Kano
27 years old male Named as wounded by Free Afrin injured
Badriya Abdullah Kano
17 years old Named as wounded by Free Afrin injured
Mahmoud Abdullah Kano
6 years old male Named as wounded by Free Afrin injured
Rahaf Abdullah Kano
4 years old Named as wounded by Free Afrin injured
Abdullah Mohammed Kano
4 years old male Named as wounded by Free Afrin injured
Hosny Mohammed Kano
2 years old Named as wounded by Free Afrin injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 17
  • (6 children5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–25
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Wounded children await medical treatment in a hospital following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via ROK)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Rojava network)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via HogirNecar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously graphic footage showing random body parts and a baby with its skull half missing, following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Afrin Now)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic image of a baby with its skull missing, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Free Afrin)
  • Members of the Kurdish Red Crescent search for civilians in the rubble following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • Members of the Kurdish Red Crescent search for civilians in the rubble following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • Members of the Kurdish Red Crescent search for civilians in the rubble following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018 (via Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • Members of the Kurdish Red Crescent search for civilians in the rubble following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Crescent)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via SDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via SDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, 28th January 2018. (via SDF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kobla village (كوبلة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.483495, 36.933987. 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
    14 – 17
  • (6 children5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–25
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS276

Incident date

March 15, 2018

Location

ترينيدة, Trinide village or Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.493056, 36.879444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians including three children and two women died in alleged Turkish artillery and/or air strikes on Afrin, local media in Syria reported – though there was some uncertainty about the location. Rudaw put the death toll as high as 18.

According to Hawar, the Turkish occupation planes bombed the village of Trinide , the city of Afrin, resulting in the serious injury of Abdullah Bakr, 49 years. Bakr was taken to a hospital in Afrin for treatment. The correspondent confirmed that the bombing is still continuing on the neighbourhoods of the city of Afrin.

However, Afrin Now, who also named Abdullah Bakr, said that he was wounded in the Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood of Afrin.

IC Afrin reported the death of three children and two women.

According to ANF, however, the death toll may have been higher – though it is unclear whether the figure it gives applies specifically to this event or two several across the night of March 15th. On March 16th, the source reported: “The invading Turkish army and allied gangs intensely bombed Afrin city centre with mortar and artillery fire from last night until this morning. 13 civilians, mostly children, died and many more got wounded as a result.

ANF reporter Ersin Çaksu who is in Afrin stated this is only the number they themselves have reached.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ehmed Exlas
32 years old male killed
Şewket Henan
30 years old male killed
Qidret Bexlawa
70 years old male killed
Nezmî Elî
45 years old injured
Heval Cangora
22 years old injured
Ebdulwehab El-Xelef
60 years old injured
Hisên Ebdulwehab
35 years old injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 18
  • (3 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike or shelling by allegedly Turkish Army on Afrin city centre (Source: Aire-cudi)
  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike or shelling by allegedly Turkish Army on Afrin city centre (Source: Aire-cudi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the victim Abdullah Bakr, 49 years, at the medical centre, injured following an alleged Turkish airstrike or artillery of Afrin city centre (source: ANHA)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on Trinide village or Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, Afrin, 15th March 2018. (via Aire-cudi)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Trinide village or Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, Afrin (ترينيدة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.493056, 36.879444. 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 – 18
  • (3 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS327 TS005

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الثلثانة, Taltanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.44605, 37.34302 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 19 civilians including 3 children were killed – and as many as 41 people injured – when airstrikes hit the village of Al Thaltanah. Multiple reports initially assigned blame to the Coalition or Turkish forces. However, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition conceded it had injured one civilian in the event.

The Syrian Network and Syria News Desk reported that seven civilians died, and assigned responsibility to the Coalition. Several other reports also blamed the Coalition. The Syrian Observatory reported that “warplanes” targeted the village “inhabited by Kurdish civilians,” leaving 60 civilian casualties, including 13 confirmed civilian deaths.

In a separate report, the Observatory clarified the airstrikes were carried out “likely by Turkish warplanes,” and reported that the death toll rose to 19 civilians, including 3 children, noting “the number of the dead is likely to rise.” ISIL’s news arm Al A’maq News reported that 10 civilians died and several were injured in an “American raid.”

Reflecting the confusion, al Jazeera cited the Observatory and wrote, “it was unclear whether the strike was carried out by the US-led coalition fighting ISIL, or Turkey, which is leading an operation against the group in the area with support from Syrian rebel forces.”

In its December 1st report the Coalition stated: “During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.”

This was later amended on April 30th 2017: “Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.”

Halab News identified 11 civilians, 9 of which it named, who it said were victims of “Coalition plane shelling.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown from Kafr Sgheer village killed
Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Mohammad Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mustapha Yahyia al Ibo
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Illo al Haj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Yahiya Yusuf Al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Yahyia al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Qarmatli
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Satellite images show recent attack resulted from an airstrike, UN says, as battle for Aleppo sees more children killed", November 2016. (via Al-Jazeera)
  • Location of the village where the air strike took place, November 2016. (via Eastern Manbij countryside)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.4457989, 37.3436021

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Taltanah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA515347
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Dec 1, 2016

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Taltanah, Syria: During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 3rd-4th 2016, the Coalition reported no strikes in the near vicinity, though others for Aleppo governorate: ”Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL machine gun. Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS300 TS002

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Location

جب الكوسا, Jeb el Kussa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.688187, 37.996683 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twenty people were reported killed and 50 injured after clashes at Jeb el Kussa, south of Jarabulus.

According to Al Alam “these people fell during battles between militants and extremist groups backed by Turkey and the so-called “democratic forces of Syria” and armed groups backed by America.

The Syrian Observatory confirmed casualties in the ranks of the local fighters backed by the Turks in the region.” Russia Today, citing the Syrian Foreign Ministy, said those who died were civilians but blamed “air and artillery weapons of the Turkish army in coordination with armed groups.”

Most media blamed Turkey. However local Free Syrian Army factions accused both Turkey and the US-led Coalition of “deliberate raids by warplanes on al Sreirat and Bu’r al Koussa committing brutal massacres against the unarmed civilians of the elders and women and children killed tens of martyrs and the wounded.”

Ara news: “Syrian Kurds have accused Turkish troops of committing a massacre against civilians in the villages of Jeb al-Kousa and Megher-Sresat, south of Jarabulus. According to human rights organisations, at least 20 Arab civilians were killed and 50 injured under Turkish bombardment.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

Family members

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jeb el Kussa (جب الكوسا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.688187, 37.996683. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA103607
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Aug. 28, 2016, in Jeb el Kussa, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3033/CS300 37SDA103607

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported that "Near Manbij, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 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
    20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS410 TS019

Incident date

December 9, 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

At least thirteen civilians were reported killed and eight injured in either a Turkish or Coalition airstrike on al Bab. The Coalition later denied responsibility.

Al Jazeera – citing ISIS – said two families were among 13 dead civilians after multiple “Turkish airstrikes” on the city. The Syrian Observatory said that “no less than 12 civilians from three families were killed while others were wounded by Turkish airstrikes and bombardment by Turkish forces and al-Furat Shield forces targeted al-Bab city which is taken over by IS, including a man with his wife and 3 of their children in addition to another man from the same family, with his wife and 2 of their children, in addition to 2 children with their mother, the number of the dead is likely to rise.”

Shaam News placed the death toll at 20.

Almost all sources blamed Turkey. However LCCSY (which had claimed Turkey was not killing civilians in its actions in northern Syria) said the US-led Coalition was instead responsible. The Syrian Network also blamed the Coalition.

Halaab News (which blamed the Coalition) named the civilian victims.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as ‘Not Credible.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Abd al Rahman Na’ssani
Adult male killed
Abd al Rahman Na’ssani's wife
Adult female killed
Sidra Abd al Rahman Na’ssani
Child female killed
Anas Abd al Rahman Na’ssani
Child female killed
Sidal Abd al Rahman Na’ssani
Child female
Malek Na’ssani
Adult male killed
Malek Na’ssani's wife
Adult female killed
Shahida Malik Na’ssani
Child female killed
Al Zafla Nour Malik Na’ssani
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Hamad
Child male killed
Fouad Ahmad
Child male killed
Fatima al Nako
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 20
  • (7 children4 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jisr TV reports in tense 'Turkish air and artillery' shelling on the city of al Bab in preparation for a rebel attack. 9th December 2016

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.

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 Al Bab, 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 December 8th-9th 2016, the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 20
  • (7 children4 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]