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

TS542

Incident date

August 9, 2022

Location

السلماسة, Al Salmsaa, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.640463, 40.292959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed on August 9th 2022 in the village of Al-Salmsaa, southwest of Tal Tamr district in Syria, as a result of alleged Turkish military artillery.

The incident was reported to have taken place at approximately 3:30am in the morning, which allegedly resulted in the death of Ibrahim Mohammad Hashi, aged 55. He was reportedly displaced from the village of Al-Sebatiya, northwest of Tal Tamr district.

Hashi was severely injured in this attack and was taken to Hasaka Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The incident occured at 03:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Muhammad Hashi
55 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Salmsaa (السلماسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.640463, 40.292959. 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 infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS569

Incident date

November 21, 2022

Location

الحمره, Al-Hamra neighborhood in the center of Tal Tamr district, Tal Tamr, Syria

Airwars assessment

One young man, Abd al-Rahman Rashid Hassan, aged 17, was injured in a reported Turkish bombardment from a drone which hit the neighbourhood of Al-Hamra, in the centre of Tal Tamr district, Syria, on November 21st 2022.

ANHA and other local sources reported that the Turkish drone targeted a car or a military vehicle which was near a Russian forces base.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Rahman Rashid Hassan
17 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

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
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS609

Incident date

July 5, 2023

Location

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.889115, 38.350168 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the 5th July 2023, two ambulance crew members were reportedly injured by a Turkish artillery strike in southern Kobani, located in the North of Syria.

30 year-old Sozdar Othman and 25 year-old Muslim Nabi Oso were injured whilst traveling to the area of Newroz Square, which was hit by mortar shells, to evacuate possible casualties. The North Press agency reported that both individuals were taken to hospitals in the city of Kobani for medical treatment after sustaining ‘shrapnel wounds in their legs as a result of the Turkish shelling’. At the time of reporting, both men were in stable condition and were still receiving treatment at the hospital.

This version of events was reported by several news outlets, including the ANHA, Alfurat Human Rights and ANF. All of these reports conform with the narrative provided by the North Press Agency.

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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sozdar Othman, 30, and Muslim Nabi Usso, 25, both members of the medical staff were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Kobani on July 5, 2023. (Image posted by the North Press Agency)
  • Alleged Turkish shelling of Kobani on July 5, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Alleged Turkish shelling of Kobani on July 5, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Alleged Turkish shelling of Kobani on July 5, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • The bombing resulted in the injury of two civilians as a result of the Turkish army targeting the vicinity of the city of Kobani, and the injured were transferred Suzdar Mustafa Othman, 30 years old, and Muslim Nabi Oso, 25 years old, to the hospitals of Kobani city to receive treatment

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kobani (كوباني), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.889115, 38.350168. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS636

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

بلدة صرين, village of Qafsef, southwest of Sarin, Sarin, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilian men were killed and two others were injured in the village of Qafsef located southwest of Sarin at 10:45 AM on Friday, October 5, 2023, by an alleged drone strike by Turkish forces.

Hawar News initially reported one civilian dead and two wounded, while other sources — including Kobane FM — reported three killed. According to Kobane FM, the three men named Abdul Rahim Naasan, Ismail Khalil, and Abdul Rahim Haji were killed by the strike which took place at 10:45 a.m. as per Hawar News.

According to Kobane FM Facebook account, their bodies were transported for the burial in the Martyrs’ Shrine in Sarrin district. A procession of “thousands” gathered to mourn those lost, according to a post by the Euphrates Defense Office on Facebook. Images shared by Kobane FM showed crowds carrying the coffins of the victims, each casket adorned with the photographs of the victims.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all source identified the Turkish military as responsible for this strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Rahim Naasan عبد الرحمن نعسان
Age unknown male killed
Ismail Khalil اسماعيل خليل
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Rahim Hajji عبدالرحمن حجي
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (31) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobane FM facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Euphrates Defense Office 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
    3
  • (3 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS051

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including one child died and more were wounded – including members of the civil defense – in artillery shelling on Al Bab, Syria, local media reported – though many sources didn’t identify the culprit. A tweet by a local “Amna Alali” was the only source to attrbute blame to Turkey.

Ameer Alabad reported that three members of civil defense wounded as they went about their duties.

A another report by Al Bab 24, added that “a rocket bombardment resulted in the injury of three rescue workers – Hassan Al Haj, Firas al-Haj and Mahmoud Basha, two of them were left in a critical condition. Additionally, the father of Mahmoud Basha died in a raid while he was trying to aid his son Mahmoud Basha.”

The Shaam News Network said that five civilians died and several more were wounded in artillery shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

child from the family of al Sheikh Said
10 years old named by Al Bab 24, died following raids near al Salam hospital today [Jan 14th]". killed
father of Mahmoud Basha
Adult male killed
Hassan Al Haj
Adult male injured
Firas al-Haj
Adult injured
Mahmoud Basha
Adult injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Rocket bombardment resulted in the injury of three rescue workers and they are , Hassan Al Haj, Firas al-Haj Mahmoud Basha, two of them in critical condition, and the death of the father of Mahmoud Basha in a raid while he was trying to aid his son Mahmoud Basha". (via AlBab24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab city (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
    1 – 5
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS070

Incident date

January 31, 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

Between three and six people were reportedly killed in Turkish bombardment of Al Bab, Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “While three people were killed, including a woman, by bombing and shelling by the Turkish forces and warplanes on areas in Tedef town and Al Bab city in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo which is controlled by the ‘Islamic State’ organization.”

Asharq Alarabi reported a higher number: “In the governorate of Aleppo, 15 people were killed, eight of them in the shelling of the towns of Tedef, Al Bureij and Al Bab in the governorate’s countryside.”

LCCSY only said that ten civilians died due to Turkish shelling in the Aleppo area with the majority of them around Al Bab.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (3) [ 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
    3 – 6
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS417 TS025

Incident date

December 17, 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

Three unnamed civilian males were reported killed in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) action at al Bab. The Coalition later denied responsibility.

According to Step News, “Turkish planes targeted al Bab, east of Aleppo, with three raids and there are news about casualties.” VDC later reported three unidentfied male civilian deaths – though said these were a result of actions by “International Coalition forces.”

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’ with “no Coalition strikes conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Tweet reporting more than 50 alleged Turkish raids targeting al Bab over the last 12 hours. 17th December 2016. (via Muhammad Smiry)

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

For December 16th-18th 2016 the Coalition has publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

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
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS498

Incident date

April 6, 2022

Location

قرية الاسدية, Al Asadiya village, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.776363, 40.130898 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022.

According to Hawar News, five people from one family were injured when Turkish forces bombed the village of Al-Asadiya in the countryside of Zarkan district. Records of the People’s Hospitals in Al-Darbasiyah district and Al-Hasakah city, which received the injured, reported the names of the injured from the Al-Zaher family: Mahmoud Al-Zahir (42 years old), Bara Mahmoud Al-Zaher (16 years old), Narges Mahmoud Al-Zaher (15 years old), and Shafak Mahmoud Al-Zaher (9 years old), and a relative of the family, Inas Ismail Al-Khalaf (17 years).

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the shelling was carried out by Turkish forces stationed in “Peace Spring” areas in Ras Al-Ain “Sere Kanye” countryside and resulted in the injury of three people, including a woman. The source added that the shelling coincided with residents of the area attempting to flee due to the heavy shelling and that the shelling struck civilians’ houses.

Various other sources, including North Press Agency and Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firate, reported that Turkish forces carried out shelling but did not provide any details on casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mahmoud Al-Zahir محمود الظاهر
42 years old injured
Bara Mahmoud Al-Zaher براء محمود الظاهر
16 years old injured
Narges Mahmoud Al-Zaher نرجس محمود الظاهر
15 years old injured
Shafak Mahmoud Al-Zaher شفق محمود الظاهر
9 years old injured
Ismail Al-Khalaf إسماعيل الخلف
17 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • One of the civilians injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Shell from the alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to civilian homes caused by alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to civilian homes caused by alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to civilian homes caused by alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to civilian homes caused by alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to civilian homes caused by alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to civilian homes caused by alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Asadiya on April 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the village of Al Asadiya (الاسدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.776363, 40.130898. 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
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]