Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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
text search
820 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

TS582

Incident date

December 24, 2022

Location

خزيموك, Khazimuk, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.051958, 41.582651 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 24th 2022, four civilians, three women and a child, were reportedly injured by a Turkish drone targeting a poultry farm. The attack was recorded at around noon, in Mezkift village (Mazkaft village) or near Khazimuk village, north of Hassakeh.

The women wounded were identified as Aisha Khalaf Ali, Jawaher Khaled Muhammad, Thawrat Al-Matar, and the child as Reham Azzam Al-Ali. They were reportedly working in the farm when the strike occurred. The injured were taken by Kurdish Red Crescent teams to a hospital in the district.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Aisha Khalaf Ali
Adult female injured
Jawaher Khaled Muhammad
Adult female injured
Thawrat Al-Matar
Adult female injured
Reham Azzam Al-Ali
Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "4 people, including a child wounded in Turkish drone attack 4 people, including a child, were wounded by a Turkish occupation army drone on the eastern countryside of Tirbe Spi district of Qamishlo canton in northeastern Syria." Source: ANHA English
  • Alleged pieces of a Turkish drone following its reported strike on a farm on December 24th 2022. Photo: NPA
  • "Four injured in a Turkish bombing in Tirbi Spiyyah". Photo: arta.fm

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khazimuk (خزيموك), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.051958, 41.582651. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS581

Incident date

December 22, 2022

Location

كوباني , Zor Maghar, west of Ain Al-Arab( kobani), countryside of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On December 22nd 2022, three civilians, working for the Water Directorate in Kobani, were reportedly injured while doing maintenance work by Turkish artillery or heavy weapons in Zor Maghar village (or Sheikh Fawqani village or Al-Shuyukh village), west of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The wounded were taken to Al-Amal hospital for treatment, located in Kobani city. Another source added that the shelling caused the destruction of a car and damage to a water station. Another civilian – a man, was allegedly injured in Jarqali village, west of Kobani, earlier the same day, by Turkish shelling.

The three maintenance workers injured were identified by local sources as Muslim Khalil Ismail (also referred to as “Muslim Hamo”), Bozan Sheikh Nabi, and Fadel Bazar. A medical source said that “their injuries ranged from serious to superficial” and that they were “under health monitoring in the intensive care unit”, while a source quoting the official website of the Autonomous Administration, said the injuries were “critical”.  According to two co-chairs of the Kobani Water Directorate of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), “the injured are workers and supervisors of water pumps that push water from the Euphrates River to Kobani, and their usual work is to supervise and maintain the pumps.” SOHR claimed “four civilians” were “seriously injured”. No details were provided regarding the identity of the fourth civilian injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muslim Khalil Ismail (Muslim Hamo)
55 years old male injured
Bozan Sheikh Nabi
48 years old male injured
Fadel Bazar
49 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • In front of al-Amal Hospital in Kobani city, families of civilians working for the Water Directorate who were reportedly injured in Turkish shelling on December 22nd 2022. Photo: NPA

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the three civilians in Al-Amal hospital, Kobani city, after being reportedly injured by Turkish artillery while doing maintenance in a water station on December 22nd 2022. Photo: ANHA English
  • A car was destroyed by a reported Turkish shelling close to Kobani city on December 22nd 2022. Source: Hawarnes
  • A water station was reportedly damaged by Turkish shelling in Kobani countryside on December 22nd 2022. Photo: Ezdina

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Three workers from Kobani Water Directorate were injured during a Turkish strike by heavy weapons" Source: ANHA

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS580

Incident date

December 17, 2022

Location

رقاص, Raqas, Al-Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.693096, 38.950612 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 17th 2022, at least three civilians, including a child, were reportedly killed and between one to three were injured by a Turkish drone strike on a group of civilians in Raqas village, in Tel Abyad district, Al-Raqqa province. The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces said the incident occurred at 1:30 p.m.

Sources identified the child killed as Wesi Muhammad Wesi, 10-12 years old. SOHR claimed that the strike targeted a car driving by a SDF military position. Only SOHR mentionned “information about the death of an unidentified fourth person”, without further precisions. ANHA added that in total, three were killed and one injured. Sources recorded between one to three injured. The injured were taken to hospitals in Al-Raqqa city for treatment.

The incident occured at approximately 1:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Wesi Muhammad Wesi ويسي محمد ويسي
10-12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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.
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The child identified as Wesi Muhammad Wesi reportedly killed by a Turkish strike on December 17th 2022 in Raqas village. Photo: ANHA عربية
  • Image following a reported Turkish drone strike on December 17th 2022 in Raqas village. Photo: NPA

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Raqas (رقاص), allegedly located north-west of Tell Abyad (تل ابيض). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tell Abyad are: 36.693096, 38.950612.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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.
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS578

Incident date

December 15, 2022

Location

بوبان, Boban, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.895660, 38.196537 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 15th 2022, two civilians – two brothers – were reportedly severely injured following live bullets shot by Turkish forces in Boban village (Boban Saghrir village), West of Kobane. Sources described Turkish forces’ firing as “indiscriminate”.

Fawaz Ossi, 31 years old was allegedly shot in the stomach while he was renovating his house. When his brother Farhad tried to help him, he had an accident and hit his head. The incident occurred at 5 am local time according to local sources. The two brothers were taken to Al-Amal Hospital, in Kobane city, for treatment. ANHA said that “according to preliminary information, their health condition is critical, and they have been admitted to intensive care after undergoing surgeries”.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Fawaz Ossi فواز أوسي
31 years old male injured
Farhad Ossi فرهاد أوسي
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fawaz Ossi was reportedly shot in the stomach by live bullets fired by Turkish forces on December 15th 2022 in Boban village. Photo: ANHA عربية

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fawaz Ossi reportedly shot in the stomach by live bullets fired by Turkish forces on December 15th 2022 in Boban village. Photo: كوباني مباشر_Kobanê live

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fawaz Ossi, a Syrian civilian was reportedly shot in the stomach by live bullets fired by Turkish forces on December 15th 2022 in Boban village. His brother came to help and hurt his head in an accident. The source does not precise the identity of the person wounded here. Photo: يارسان روج Barsan Rouje

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Boban (بوبان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.895660, 38.196537. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS577

Incident date

December 10, 2022

Location

هيشان , Al Hishah, Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.35291, 39.01692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 10 2022, a civilian, a 61 years old man working on a agriculture field, was reportedly killed during Turkish strikes targeting villages located between Ain Issa district and Girê Spî (Tel Abyad) district, in Raqqah province. Turkish forces allegedly used light and heavy weapons.

The victim was described as “Saleh al-Ali al-Salama (61 years old), from the Albu Assaf clan”, from Al-Hawija village. Local sources added that the man “was martyred by shrapnel from a shell fired from the Turkish base in the village of Bir Issa while he was plowing his land”. Bir Issa is located 7km east of Al-Hisha town.  Saleh al-Ali al-Salama was reportedly “buried in Bir Saran cemetery”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh al-Ali al-Salama صالح العلي السلامة
61 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Saleh al-Ali al-Salama (61 years old), a civilian working in his land, was allegedly killed by Turkish strikes on December 10th 2022. Photo: ANHA English

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hishah (هيشان ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.35291, 39.01692. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS576

Incident date

December 3, 2022

Location

المجيبرة, Al Mujaibra, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.515970, 40.892380 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children were reportedly injured on December 3rd 2022 as a result of an unexploded ordnance, a previous Turkish shell, which exploded in the village of al-Mujaibra in the countryside of the town of Tel Tamr, north of Al-Hasakah, in Syria.  The shell was reported to have hit the village that morning, but did not explode immediately.

The children were identified as Suleiman Nasr Shalo (11 years old), Badran Nasr Shello (15 years old),  Ali Mahmoud Shello (11 years old) and Khaled Mahmoud Shello (13 years old).

Local sources told North Press Agency that the injured children were taken to Tal Tamr Hospital for treatment and that their health conditions were stable.  ANHA English reported that ”

The child Suleiman Nasr Shalo was wounded by shrapnel in his left foot, while the child Ali Mahmoud Shalo was wounded in his left foot and right hand. The nurse in the intensive care unit, Ahmed Farhan, confirmed that their health condition is stable, and they will be discharged today from the hospital.

As for the two children, Khaled Shalo, who was wounded by shrapnel in the head, and the child Badran Shalo, who was wounded with shrapnel in the abdomen, they are subject to 48-hour medical observation”

The father of two of the children, Badran and Suleiman Shalo, said to ANHA English that “the Turkish occupation is constantly targeting the villages of North and East Syria, including the village of Al-Mujibra, and some of the shells fall and do not explode, which poses a threat to the lives of citizens.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Suleiman Nasr Shalo
11 years old male injured
Badran Nasr Shalo
15 years old male brother of Suleiman injured

The victims were named as:

Ali Mahmoud Shlo
11 years old male injured
Khaled Mahmoud Shlo
13 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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
    Turkish Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Basnews reported that four children were injured after a previously unexploded Turkish shell exploded on December 3rd 2022 (Image via Basnews)
  • "Four children were injured as a result of a Turkish shell explosion, north of Al-Hasakah" (Image via NPA)
  • "Four children were injured as a result of a Turkish shell explosion, north of Al-Hasakah" (Image via NPA)
  • ANHA English reported that four children were injured after a previously unexploded Turkish shell exploded on December 3rd 2022.
  • "According to the correspondent of Hawar News Agency, four children were injured in the village of Al-Mujibra, northeast of Tal Tamr district of Al-Hasakah canton, when a shell exploded that had fallen earlier on the village but did not explode." (Image via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Mujaibra (المجيبرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.515970, 40.892380. 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
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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
    Turkish Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI089

Incident date

December 2, 2022

Location

جبل اسوس شارباجار, Mount Assos, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and up to five others were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes/drone strikes on Mount Assos on December 2, 2022.

The mayor of Charbajar, Shaho Othman, told Kurdistan 24  that three people were wounded and three civilians were missing following Turkish airstrikes on Mount Assos. Kurdistan 24 later revised their casualty count to one person killed and two others wounded, adding that four people were hunting in the mountain and hiding in the cave of Kelashin when the strikes occurred and that one person is still missing.

Kurdistan Revolution posted on Facebook that a civilian named Aziz Muhammad Rasool who worked as a farmer was killed and two others were injured.

A tweet from @cptiraq reported that six civilians were victims of the bombing, with one civilian killed (Aziz Muhamed) and five others injured (Muhamad Kadir, Kwexa Muhamad, Zana Muhamad, Saeed Muhamad and Salih Kadir).

Roj News Agency, quoting the mayor of Mawat district Kamiran Hassan, reported that a group of civilians were collecting wild herbs in the village of Kalala when Turkish airstrikes hit. Mayor Kamiran Hassan told Rudaw News Network that one civilian was killed and one was injured from the bombing, and that the victims were from the village of Qamish. Medya News put the casualty toll at two civilians killed and three injured, adding that medial teams could not rescue them until late in the day because of fear of a second bombardment.

The majority of sources attributed the incident to Turkish forces, with Rudaw News pointing out that it was unknown whether the bombing was carried out by warplanes or drones.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Aziz Muhammad Rasool عزيز محمد رسول
Age unknown killed
Muhamad Kadir
Age unknown injured
Kwexa Muhamad
Age unknown injured
Zana Muhamad
Age unknown injured
Saeed Muhamad
Age unknown injured
Salih Kadir
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged strikes on Mount Assos on December 2, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan24)
  • Location of alleged Turkish drone strikes on December 2, 2022. (Image posted by @cptiraq)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Turkish strikes near Zarun village on December 2, 2022. (Image posted by @cptiraq)

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS575

Incident date

November 29, 2022

Location

صوغانكي, Soghnaki, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.435923, 36.927280 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On November 29th 2022, two civilians were reportedly injured following Turkish artillery shelling on Soghnaki (Soghanaki) village in Sherawa district, Aleppo governorate.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • On November 29th 2022, several villages were reportedly targeted by Turkish artillery shelling in Sherawa district. Photo: Rojnews

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Soghnaki (صوغانكي), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.435923, 36.927280. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]