Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

TS092

Incident date

August 29, 2017

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and 10 civilians including one or more child were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin, according to local media.

Rudaw said that “Rizan Haddu, a political writer, told them that the initial result of the shelling that targeted the neighborhoods of Afrin injured six civilians to varying degrees”.

Yekiti reported the same figures, saying “six civilians were wounded when four mortar shells hit the center of the city of Afrin in Syrian Kurdistan on Tuesday evening.”

Sputnik – also blaming Turkey – put the number of “seriously wounded” at 10, including a female child.

Rok added that two Turkish rockets hit Afrin, while Step referred to “Turkish artillery” injuring several civilians, including a 10-year-old boy.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–10
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian following an alleged Turkish mortar attack on Afrin, Aug 29th 2017. (via Rudaw)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. 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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–10
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI075

Incident date

December 27–28, 2021

Location

Bankê, Duhok, Iraq

Geolocation

37.20788, 42.9688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one woman was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Bankê between December 27-28th 2021, according to local reports.

Nalia Media Corporation reported that a woman was badly injured in Turkish air strikes near residents’ homes in the village of Bankê. The injured woman was taken to the hospital in Zakho and the residents of the two surrounding villages were left without electricity.

ANF News also identified one injury, a 42-year-old woman, who was wounded when Turkish shells struck her home. ANF added that the shelling also destroyed large areas of cultivated land and gardens and were fired from a Turkish base in southern Kurdistan.

Christian Peacemaker Teams reported that the shelling went on for several hours.

All other sources that reported on the incident also identified one woman as being injured and attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured after midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish strikes on Bankê on December 27-28, 2021. (Image posted by Mawazin)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bankê, for which the generic coordinates are: 37.20788, 42.9688. 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
    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

TS516

Incident date

June 5, 2022

Location

عين عيسى, Abu Naytulah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.4537, 38.72317 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three men were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Abu Naytulah in Ain Issa on June 5, 2022.

Hawar News reported that three civilians were injured in Turkish shelling of the village of Abu Naytulah in Ain Issa. The source added that the injured were transferred to the Chalabiye district to receive treatment. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the injured civilians were treated at Jalabiyah hospital “while the village is still under intermittent ground shelling”.

Ain Issa Plus posted the names of the victims on Facebook: Abdulaziz Al-Youssef, Saleh Taha, Basil Al-Obaid.

A medical source from the hospital told North Press Agency that “the condition of the three people is stable after providing treatment and first aid being given to them”.

Hawar News added details that the village of of Abu Neitouneh “lies to the west of the Ain Issa district on the strategically important Aleppo-Hasaka highway known as the M4”.

A local source told Bissan FM that “the village was subjected to heavy bombardment by the Turkish forces and the opposition factions loyal to them”. All of the other sources attributed the strikes to Turkey and the Syrian National Army.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Abdulaziz Al-Youssef عبد العزيز اليوسف
Age unknown injured
Saleh Taha صالح طه
Age unknown injured
Basil Al-Obaid باسل العبيد
Age unknown injured

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of the three civilians that were injured when Turkey shelled the village of Abu Neitouneh on June 5, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abu Naytulah (أبو نيتولة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.4537, 38.72317. 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
    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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS541

Incident date

August 8, 2022

Location

قرية جديدة, Jadida village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.531498, 38.821210 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in the alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Jadida on August 8, 2022.

According to a correspondent for Hawar News, a “citizen” named Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26, was wounded by Turkish bombing of Ain Issa.

A Facebook post from Live voice specified that the bombing occurred in Jadida village and resulted in the injury of Farhan, adding that there were no other details available about his injury and his health condition.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Press Center added that Farhan works as a farmer and was transferred “to the hospital of the martyr “Omar Alloush” in the town of Ain Issa for treatment.”

All of the sources attributed the bombing Turkish forces, with the SDF Press Center specifying that the Turkish struck the village with artillery shells and tanks.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Farhan Muhammad Bashir
26 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)
  • Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jadida (جديدة), allegedly located in the western countryside of Ain Issa (بعين عيسى) district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jadida are: 36.531498, 38.821210.

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

TS568

Incident date

November 21, 2022

Location

بينة, Ibbin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.46599, 36.99337 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two people were reported “slightly” injured and tens of sheep were reportedly killed by Turkish shelling in Ibbin village, Sherawa district in Afrin, Syria on November 21st 2022.

According to North Press Agency and ANHA between 20 to 35 sheep were killed which were owned by Walida Hamadi.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Up to 35 sheep were reportedly killed by a Turkish missile on a village in Afrin on November 21st 2022 (Image via ANHA English)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ibbin (بينة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.46599, 36.99337. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS606

Incident date

June 27, 2023

Location

جورين, Jourin, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.616010, 36.269336 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by shelling allegedly carried out by the factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin” operations room, a Turkish sponsored militia, in Jourin in the Al-Ghab Plain region on June 27, 2023.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two civilians were injured to varying degrees by shrapnel from rocket shells launched by factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin” operations room. The source added that the wounded were taken to the hospital.

A tweet from @Click_Syria reported that two civilians sustained “minor” injuries from the shelling as well as causing material damages to homes and property.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jourin (جورين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.616010, 36.269336. 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
    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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS635

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

قرية جلبية/, M4 international road, 45km southeast from the city of Kobani, near Jalabiya (Kharab Ashk) village, Kobani, Syria

Airwars assessment

At 10:45 in the morning on Thursday, 5th October 2023, Turkish drone strikes allegedly killed two civilian men riding a motorcycle on the M4 international road, 45 km southeast from the city of Kobani, and injured up to two other civilians. According to the local sources, the incident happened near the village of Jalabiya (Kharab Ashk) in the countryside of Ayn Al-Arab (Kobani).

The deceased men have been named as Kilo Adbi from the village of Touqli and Hazouf (Horouf) Ali Rami Haval Bahuz. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that they were workers of the military fortification tunnels, riding a Turkish motorcycle. Local news agency Hawar News reported that two other civilians were wounded in the drone strike.

Birjav FM reported that their motorcycle was on the M4 international road, 45 km southeast from the city of Kobani. Facebook users such as Kobanê Warê Me posted images of the victims and the destroyed motorcycle, which lay scattered and burned on the ground.

Kilo Abdi, a middle-aged man with a moustache is seen in the images with his two small children.

Hazouf Ali Rami was remembered in a Facebook tribute by his wife’s brothers Rizan Hes Hamin and Juan Hes Hamin. They shared the images of the late Hazouf, a middle aged man with a moustache while doing some manual work and standing near a bonfire.

This incident was part of a series of drone strikes and bombings on the 5th October across northeastern Syria which targeted infrastructure, service facilities alongside gas and oil stations.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Turkish military.

The incident occured at 10:45:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Kilo Abdi كيلو عبدي
Adult male killed
Hazouf Ali Rami حزوف علي رمي
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani News facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani News facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: National Geographic Kobani facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: National Geographic Kobani facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rizan Hes Hamin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juan Hes Hamin facebook

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
    2
  • (2 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS045

Incident date

January 10, 2017

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

Seven or eight civilians died including one child and as many as 30 more were injured in alleged Turkish air and artillery strikes on Al Bab, Syria, according to sources on the ground.

Ameer Alabaad put the death toll at six civilians with 12 more wounded – “mostly children and women” – in a “Turkish air and artillery bombardment” on Al Bab.

IS propaganda source, Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu, also reported these figures and blamed Turkey. It also published graphic footage showing the aftermath of the attack.

LCCSY said that eight people had died and also pointed to Turkey.

Halab News named the victims killed by Turkish artillery in Al Bab on January 10th.

According to jabal-aqel-albab.tk, a further 30 civilians were wounded in the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al Hakim Abd al Hamid al Hamdan
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
Yasser Zakkour al Baho
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
Unidentified victim
Child named by Halab News killed
Unidentified victim
Adult male named by Halab News killed
Abdallah Hassan Salam Al Hashem
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
Mohammad Ghazal Fares
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
The son of Mohammad al A’bo
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A’maq Agency: # breaking: 6 dead and 12 wounded, mostly children and women as a result of aerial bombardment and Turkish artillery on the city of Al Bab. (via ameer_albab)

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 – 8
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]