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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Turkish Military
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Incident Code

TI067 YI002

Incident date

August 30, 2021

Location

مخيم قاديا, Qadia Camp, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.059570, 42.620141 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed and three to four others, including two children and an elderly man, were injured – all from the same family – when an alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or Turkish IED exploded in Qadiya refugee camp.

According to the Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union (KCK), “in the late evening hours of August 30, 2021, an explosion occurred in the Qadiya refugee camp in the Zaxo region of the Kurdistan Region Iraq, killing two children and injuring numerous people”. The statement added that those living in the camp are Yazidi people who fled when ISIS occupied their towns in the Sinjar region.

Bas News quoted the Yazidi activist and former deputy in the Iraqi parliament, Vian Dakhil, as saying that the bombing “resulted in the death of two innocent children and the injury of 5 others, including three critical injuries”. Bas News added that among the two children killed was a one year old and a nine year old from the same family, in addition to an officer with Asayish, the Kurdish security and intelligence organization.

Abdulstar Mustafa, deputy head of Zakho emergency hospital, told Rudaw’s Yousif Musa that “At 10:15 we were told that an explosion had occurred at Qadia camp and there were injuries. Our teams got there immediately. We received five of the injured. Of those five injured, two of them died before they arrived.”

Rudaw News added that two children, aged four and nine, were injured, as well as a 63-year-old man. Hassan Ibrahim, the grandfather of the deceased, told Rudaw an explosive device was put under their caravan. He was injured in the explosion and taken to hospital for treatment.

The director of the Asayish district of Zakho, Shavan Sindi, told BasNews, “The explosion was caused by an explosive device that was planted in front of the cabin of an officer with the rank of major in the Kurdistan Region’s Asayish forces, Sheikh Hassan Ibrahim Samuqi, who was wounded in the explosion.” He added that the officer had been subject to death threats from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Al Taakhi Press reported that the explosion was caused by an explosive device planted in front of a cabin belonging to Hassan Samouqi. Al Taakhi also reported that two children were killed but put the toll of injuries at three, all from the same family, including Samouqi.

The mayor of Simel District, Khalil Mahmoud, added that the explosion caused damage to four cabins and a car.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to the PKK. However, the KCK blamed Turkey for the attack and refuted claims by the Kurdistan Democratic Party that the PKK was responsible, stating that “All witness accounts and the manner of the explosion indicate that this was an attack by the Turkish state”.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Victims of the bombing of Qadia Camp on August 30th arrive at the hospital for treatment. (Image posted by Rudaw News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Qadia refugee camp (مخيم قاديا), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.059570, 42.620141. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

YPG Assessment:

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI100

Incident date

December 5, 2023

Location

بامرني, Bamerni, Amedi District, Dohuk Governorate, Iraq

Airwars assessment

At around 7AM on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023, a man was killed and up to three others injured after an alleged Turkish bombardment in the Bamerni subdistrict of Amedi, in Dohuk Governorate.

Gulan Media named the deceased as 44-year-old Ali Jamil Kalash, the father of four children. Kalash was near his home when he died: the strike hit 250 kilometers away from his residence.

While Gulan Media referred to Ali as an “off-duty Peshmerga fighter,” all other sources reported that he was a civilian. Erem News reported that the belligerent, who they named as the Turkish military, carried out “three strikes” and emphasized that those injured and killed had no affiliation with the PKK.

One of the injured was reported as 23-year-old Matin Sadiq, a shepherd. He was brought to the Duhok Emergency Hospital for treatment.

Jamil Kalash, Ali’s father, spoke about the hours leading up to his son’s death, commenting that he had been at his parents’ home, entertaining guests, until 10:30 the previous night. It is unclear whether Ali died immediately or after some time, as multiple sources from December 6th reported he died after he “succumbed to his injuries.”

The number of other injuries is unclear. While Bas News reported three injured and stated they had all been taken to hospitals in Duhok province, Kurdistan 24 and Ronahi TV both reported that there was only one injury. Hawar News reported that, along with the one death and one injury, another person was missing. It is unclear whether this missing civilian was one of the injured reported by other sources.

The strike occurred in a “populated area” near an irrigation project, and also caused property damage amongst residential buildings and farms.

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

The incident occured at approximately 7:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Ali Jamil Kalash علي جميل كلش
44 years old male Contested as militant killed
Matin Sadiq
23 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture, Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture, Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI022

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Location

سدكان, Sedkan, Erbil, Iraq

Geolocation

36.801389, 44.665 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three Peshmergas, potentially civilian combatants at the time, were injured by an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sedkan.

Rudaw said: “Three militants from the Peshmerga were wounded, one of them in a serious condition, as a result of Turkish shelling on Wednesday around the town of “Sedkan” of the city of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region.

According to the information received, the Turkish warplanes bombed sites of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) early Wednesday morning in the area of ​​Sheikh Zadeh near the village of Merkeh Rash in the vicinity of the town of Sidkan in Erbil.”

Nasnews reported: “The Peshmerga elements rushed to extinguish the fires left by the shelling,” adding that “one of the injured was seriously injured (one hand and one leg was amputated).”

Rojnews noted: “Three Peshmerga troops were wounded” – and published associated images of the casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khoshoy Mikael
Adult male Peshmerga killed
Muhajer Mikael
Adult male Peshmerga killed
Aziz Jafir
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Accoridng to Rojnews, "Three Peshmerga troops were wounded in a Turkish air attack on the Bradost area in northern Holler." (via Rojnews)
  • Accoridng to Rojnews, "Three Peshmerga troops were wounded in a Turkish air attack on the Bradost area in northern Holler." (via Rojnews)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sedkan (سدكان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.801389, 44.665. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI049

Incident date

August 25, 2020

Location

Bahrava, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.419798, 41.545744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in Sinjar, Iraq when Turkish drones allegedly struck two vehicles in the evening of August 25th, 2020. The exact location was identified by local sources as Bhrava, Khansur located in the northern Nineveh province.

Iraqi Security Media reported that Turkish drones targeted a double-wheeled pickup truck in the village of Bhrava in Khansur complex in north of Sinjar, and that two civilians were killed while the driver managed to flee.

Head of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) press office in Nineveh Ghayas Surchi said that the victims weren’t affiliated with Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS).

However, Khudeda Chuke, mayor of Sinune town, was reported by Rudaw as saying that ‘a vehicle belonging to the Shingal Protection Units (YBS), a Yezidi armed group affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was hit in the vicinity of Bahraviyan village, seven kilometres west of the town of Khanasor. Thankfully, there were no casualties in the bombing,” Chuke said, adding the airstrike struck the vehicle at a YBS base.

It was also reported that another site was struck by Turkish drones in the village of Bara, but there is no information yet about civilian casualties there.

The incident occured at approximately 7:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bahrava, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.419798, 41.545744. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI076

Incident date

February 1, 2022

Location

مخمور, Makhmur camp, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.755637, 43.603063 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were killed and up to 17 others, including a woman, were injured in Turkish airstrikes on Makhmour refugee camp on February 1, 2022.

The correspondent of the Rudaw Media Network reported that Makhmour camp was subjected to Turkish bombardment six times and according to Makhmour Health, eight people were killed by the Turkish bombing, in addition to 17 others wounded, and the wounded were transferred to Qayyarah Hospital in Nineveh. Abdullah Taher, an official from the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s local committee indicated that there were fighters and civilians among the victims.

According to a tweet from @Kamaran_Mulla, two civilians were killed and 15 others were injured, and women and children were among the casualties. Images from Rudaw Media show at least one wounded woman and one wounded young man receiving medical treatment for their injuries. France24 reported that the wounded were in stable condition.

The alleged Turkish strikes hit Makhmour refugee camp, which is located south of the city of Erbil and and contains more than 12,000 refugees from Turkey’s Kurdish population. Rojava Information Center reported that Turkish planes bombed the camp 10 times while Altaghier TV identified six strikes carried out on Makhmour.

A statement from the Self-Defence Forces Command of the [Makhmour] Refugee Camp provided information that two members of the “self-defense forces” were killed during the attack and “civilians who tried to help their relatives were also targeted and dozens of them were injured. The injured civilians are receiving treatment in hospitals.”

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense released a statement declaring the strike the day of, stating that “In the Winter Eagle Operation carried out; shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots and so-called headquarters and training camps belonging to terrorists who threaten our country, nation and border security were targeted. In the planning and execution of the operation, maximum sensitivity was shown for the safety of life and property of the civilian population and the protection of the environment.”

Al Jazeera pointed out that Turkey cited the 51st article of the UN Charter, which states that “nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security”.

Rudaw News reported that the attack occurred “a few days after Turkey released a footage of its fortified bases deep inside the Iraqi territory with its soldiers patrolling the Kurdistan Region’s snow-capped mountains”.

Iraq’s Security Media Cell released a statement that “The Security Media Cell condemns the Turkish drone strikes on Tuesday evening in violation of Iraqi airspace in northern Iraq, specifically in Sinjar and Makhmour.”

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq released a statement on twitter saying “Following airstrikes in Ninewa with civilian casualties reported, we reiterate that Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected at all times. Local populations must be protected, disputes should be addressed through dialogue and cooperation.” They did not directly mention Turkish involvement.

The incident occured at 22:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–17
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–2

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Location of Makhmour refugee camp where alleged Turkish strikes killed and injured civilians on February 1, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Makhmour refugee camp where alleged Turkish strikes killed and injured civilians on February 1, 2022. (Image posted by ANF)
  • A young man injured in Makhmour refugee camp where alleged Turkish strikes killed and injured civilians on February 1, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • A young man injured in Makhmour refugee camp where alleged Turkish strikes killed and injured civilians on February 1, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • A young man injured in Makhmour refugee camp where alleged Turkish strikes killed and injured civilians on February 1, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • A female injured in Makhmour refugee camp where alleged Turkish strikes killed and injured civilians on February 1, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Makhmour Refugee Camp (مخمور), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.755637, 43.603063. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Turkish Military
Official source

By neutralizing the PKK/KCK/YPG and other terrorist elements; In order to eliminate the terrorist attacks against our people and security forces from the North of Iraq and Syria and to ensure our border security; In line with our self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the Winter Eagle Air Operation was carried out against terrorist nests in the Derik, Sinjar and Karacak regions in the North of Iraq and Syria, which are used as bases by terrorists.
In the Winter Eagle Operation carried out; shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots and so-called headquarters and training camps belonging to terrorists who threaten our country, nation and border security were targeted. In the planning and execution of the operation, maximum sensitivity was shown for the safety of life and property of the civilian population and the protection of the environment.
After the operation, in which mostly domestic and national ammunition was used, all of our aircraft returned safely to their bases.
The Turkish Armed Forces, who emerged from the bosom of our noble nation, will continue the fight against terrorism for the security of our country and nation with determination and determination until the last terrorist is neutralized.
It is announced to the public with respect.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–17
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–2

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI028

Incident date

September 25, 2019

Location

كانى مازێ, Kani Mazi, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

36.922590, 43.447700 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, 19 or 20 years old, named as Yousef Jamal, died in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Mazi village, Jammak, Amedi, sources said.

According to ANF, “A 20-year-old teenager was seriously injured in the bombing and died in hospital despite doctors tried everything to save his life.”

Ninanews added that five other civilians were wounded.

Turkey confirmed carrying out strikes on the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Jamal
19 or 20 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "As a result of the coordinated work of the Turkish Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Organization, the so-called special force element 2 PKK terrorist was neutralized in the vehicle they used with the air operation carried out in Gara region in the north of Iraq. #MSB#TSK"

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kani Mazi (كانى مازێ) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.922590, 43.447700. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Turkish Military
Official source

Within the scope of the successful operation of Pawe-3, 3 PKK terrorists belonging to a separatist terrorist organization were made ineffective with the air operation conducted in Haftanin region. Thus, the number of terrorists neutralized in the north of Iraq today is 6. #MSB#TSK

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI038B

Incident date

June 17, 2021

Location

سيدان, Sidan, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.086619, 43.930892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sidan village, Amedi district on June 19 th 2020, according to local media reports.

Darkamazi.net named the three victims as Aazad Mahdi Shji, Damhat Omar Ormari and Mukhlis Adam Kukri. The source said that “on Friday, June 19th, 2020, the warplanes of the occupying Turkish state had targeted the areas of Niruh-Rikan and Barwari Bala, and that three martyrs from the people of Southern Kurdistan were near their villages.

Two citizens were killed in the vicinity of Sidan village in the Nairoh-Rikan region, and another citizen in Barwari Bala district, in the vicinity of the village of “Darkla Messi Bey”, was killed as a result of the Turkish shelling of the area.

Mahdi Rekani, the father of Azad Mahdi who was among the victims, said that “His son Azad Mahdi aged 26, and two friends, Mukhlis Adam and Deman Omar both aged 28, all construction workers, were heading to Shaji, a village in Sheladiz sub district, for a picnic. Rekani, who had been speaking to his son on the phone, said that between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m., Mahdi parked his car on a small road outside a village near Sida village. As they were walking from the car, an airstrike killed all three.”

Inzar, Mukhlis’ brother, told Rudaw English he was informed at 1 pm that Mukhlis had been killed in a Turkish airstrike. Inzar went to the site where he found the dead bodies of his brother and one of his friends.  Upon returning later he said he found the body of the another friend.

“When I reached the scene, I found out that two [bombs] hit the area – one hit a [pickup] vehicle and the other near it. However, no one was in the vehicle. There was a mobile phone in the vehicle, it belonged to one of the martyrs,” Rekani told Rudaw.

While collecting the bodies of his brother and his friends, Inzar said he saw PKK fighters arrive at the scene to retrieve their two dead colleagues.

Milat Rekani, who recorded footage of the aftermath, told Rudaw English: “I saw two other dead bodies which belonged to the PKK,” Rekani recounted, adding that the dead bodies of the PKK fighters were “charred.”

In April 2021, the Guardian published a piece on Turkey attacks in Iraq and interviewed the family of Mukhis Adam, whose daughter, three months old by the time of the interview, was born after he was killed.

According to the paper, “Adam’s car was hit by a Turkish airstrike while he was on the way to a picnic in June last year.”

His family burned the photographs they had of him in an act of grief.

Adam Gnych, who reported on the incident, provided Airwars with an excerpt from an interview with Dildar Abdy, Mukhlis’ brother: “On our way to the site of the bombing we saw a car coming the other way, we stopped it, there were two bodies in the car and they had a car license plate. We looked at the number and realised it was our (family) car. The body of Mukhlis was not inside the vehicle so we came back to Sheladze to check at the hospital. The people of Sheladze started a search for Muhlis’ body, due to the intensity of the explosion his body has been thrown a long way from the blast site… Everybody liked Mukhlis, nobody had any problems with him. He tried to work in order to support the family. He was a giving man and very easy to deal with… He studied until 9th grade (15 years old), he left because we were poor and we couldn’t pay for his studies.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Azad Mahdi
26 years old male killed
Mukhlis Adam
28 years old male killed
Deman Omar
28 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The family of Mukhlis Adam are seen at his grave in Sheladze. He was allegedly killed in a Turkish attack on June 19th, 2020. (via the Guardian).
  • Mukhlis Adam's daughter is seen surrounded by her aunts and uncles. She was born after he was killed in an allegedly Turkish airstrike. (via the Guardian).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sidan (سيدان), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.086619, 43.930892. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI087

Incident date

August 29, 2022

Location

مخيم مخمور, Makhmour camp, Erbil, Iraq

Geolocation

35.755637, 43.603063 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and up to four others were injured, including women and children, when a Turkish airplane or drone launched strikes on a home in Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. Some local sources indicate that a member of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was also killed in the incident.

Hawar News reported that a citizen was killed when Turkish forces bombed his house in Makhmour camp. Hawar quoted Roj News Agency who reported that Afzat Abdullah, a father of six children, died after he was injured by a Turkish drone attack on his home in the afternoon. Rudaw News provided similar details of one casualty in addition to material damages.

BasNews reported that four people were injured by the Turkish drone strike on the camp, adding that the camp is controlled by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). A Facebook post by Bakuk Judy indicated that women and children were among the wounded.

A source told Shafaq News Agency that “according to preliminary information, the house was in which members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party were present, and that the bombing caused injuries” but did not specify whether those injured were members of the PKK.

Darka Mazi also reported that the strike hit “the house of a leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Makhmour camp, called “Abu Zaid,” which resulted in his death”. According to a local source, “the site that was targeted is known as the fourth district” and that “these organizations held official funeral ceremonies for this person, as his coffin was decorated with pictures of the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and the flags of the PKK and its KGK organization.” It is unclear if “Abu Zaid” is the same person as the alleged civilian Afzat Abdullah who was killed.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strike to a Turkish plane or drone.

The incident occured at 12:40:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Afzat Abdullah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Strikes on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Strikes on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • Makhmour camp, a number of wounded people, including children and women, were bombed by Turkish planes
  • Remnants of the strike on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Shafaq News)
  • Remnants of the strike on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Shafaq News)
  • Men inspect the site of strike on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Shafaq News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a house in the Makhmour refugee camp (مخيم مخمور), the generic coordinates for which are: 35.755637, 43.603063. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (9) [ collapse]