Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

TS474

Incident date

September 17, 2021

Location

الدبس, Al Dabas, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.45705, 38.762341 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, including a child, were killed and up to three others were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al Dabas on September 17, 2021.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), four people, including a child, were killed by Turkish missile shells while digging tunnels for the Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of Al Dabas. SOHR had originally reported that two people were killed and three people were injured but later updated their death toll.

In June this year, Al Monitor reported that trenches and tunnels for the Syrian Democratic Forces are dug by “civilians who receive a daily wage of $3 to $5 without medical insurance”.

North Press Agency reported that four civilians were killed in the strikes and according to a medical source, “Turkish forces’ drones targeted a car carrying four civilians heading towards the town of Ain Issa. The source added that the four civilians lost their lives immediately.”

Sputnik News also identified four civilians as being killed in intense Turkish bombardment and provided their names: Malik Al-Muharib Al-Hamid, 25 years old, Idan Hamad Al-Amiri, 40 years old, Hamad Al-Khunais Al-Jarbou’, 20 years old, and Khamis Al-Busaili, 17 years old.

Zaman Al Wasl provided information from the “Hawar” agency, a spokesman for the Democratic Union Party, that in addition to the four people that were killed, three others were injured.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Malik Al-Muharib Al-Hamid مالك المحارب الحميد
25 years old killed
Idan Hamad Al-Amiri عيدان حمد العميري
40 years old killed
Hamad Al-Khunais Al-Jarbou’ حمد الخنيس الجربوع
20 years old killed
Khamis Al-Busaili خموس البصيلي
17 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Dabas (الدبس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.45705, 38.762341. 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
    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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS506

Incident date

May 12, 2022

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.535300, 37.967900 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, a woman and a child, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Manbij on May 12, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a woman and a child were injured by Turkish shelling of Manbij. Xeber24 reported a similar civilian casualty toll that a woman and a child were injured.

Al Etihad Media reported that in addition to the injuries, the bombing “caused extensive damage to dozens of homes”. Specifically, “the bombing extended from the villages of the Shirawa district, south of Afrin, to the cities of Manbij and Kobani, and the villages of Issa district, with a distance of up to 280 km, in which 40 tons of explosives were used”.

The US Embassy in Syria tweeted a statement that “we are deeply concerned by the recent cross-border attacks from Syria and Turkey and reports of indiscriminate firing on civilian areas.  We call on all parties to deescalate and support regional stability.”

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey.

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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Areas across Northern and Eastern #Syria that are being shelled heavily by #Turkey" (Image posted by @dersi4m)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Manbij (كوباني), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.535300, 37.967900. 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS502a

Incident date

April 22, 2022

Location

شارع 48، كوباني, Street 48, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.887005, 38.360427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on a shop on Street 48 in the city of Kobani on April 22, 2022.

North Press Agency originally put the number of civilians injured at one “slightly injured”, identifying the victim as Muhammad Khalil Bako, the owner of a shop on Street 48 that was bombed. “Bako” told North-Press that he was sitting inside his shop with another person during the fall of the shell. He pointed out that the bombing caused significant material damage in the commercial store.

The New Arab reported that Turkish drones carried out strikes on the city centre of Kobani and a nearby village, injuring two people overall, including another civilian injury documented in TS502.

Kurdistan24 quoted Rojava Media Centre, which stated that Turkey’s “bombardment of Kobani city center with howitzers, civilians were injured and shops were burned” without specifying how many civilians were injured. Kurdistan24 also quoted Hawar News Agency, which identified four “artillery shells have hit the city so far,” adding that the shells “fell on 48th Street and Kaniya Kurda neighborhood in Kobani city.”

North Press Agency listed the locations that the four shells struck as Al-Shaheed Kawa neighborhood south of the city, shops on Al-Arbaeen Street in the center of the city, Kania Kordan neighborhood and Kobani forest.

The US Embassy in Syria condemned the attack, tweeting that “We are deeply concerned by reports of shelling on Kobani and deplore any loss of civilian life. The United States calls on all parties to deescalate.”

Mazloum Abdî, the SDF General Commander, tweeted a statement: “Turkey is escalating violations of int’l covenants with guarantor countries against our regions. The targeting of Kobani, shelling of innocent civilians, & killings of administrative figures by drones are provocations that threaten security & peace & hinder anti-ISIS operations.”

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammed Khalil Bako ومحمد خليل بكو
41 years old male injured

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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • ANHA correspondent from the area reported that Turkish occupation army resumed its artillery bombardment on the center of the city of Kobani, and reprted that an artillery shell fell on a 3-storey building on the Street 48 without exploding (Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish bombing of Kobani on April 22, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish bombing of Kobani on April 22, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Farhad Muhammad Hassan (28 years), who was injured by shrapnel in the leg in alleged Turkish strikes in Kobani. (Image posted by Ezdina)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a shop struck on Street 48 (شارع 48) in the city of Kobani (كوباني). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, Airwars has narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 36.887005, 38.360427.

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  • Tagged visual evidence from sources.

    Imagery:
    Hawar News

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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS565

Incident date

November 20, 2022

Location

ميشنور, Meştenûr, Hassakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians, including two journalists, were injured when Turkish forces bombed the outskirts of Meştenûr on November 20, 2022.

Hawar News reported that a correspondent for Sterk TV named Muhammad Jarada was injured when Turkish forces bombed the outskirts of Meştenûr. Turkish warplanes bombed Al-Jadida neighborhood, Kanya Kurdan neighborhood, and the village of Qramogh, in addition to Meştenûr hill.

Kobani News reported that a journalist for Ronahi TV was injured by a Turkish drone and that his health condition was almost stable (it is unclear if this is referring to the same journalist named Muhammad).

Farhad Shami, official of the Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Force, announced that three civilians were wounded in Kobani while @RojavaIC specified that two journalists were injured.

@RojavaIC identified a medical building, which was used as a coronavirus center during the peak of the pandemic, as being completely destroyed in the bombing near Kobani. The civilians were injured in a double tap strike on the site of the medical building, with the second strike occurring when journalists arrived to report on the bombing.

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

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Jarada
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • One of the civilians injured by alleged Turkish strikes near Kobane on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • One of the civilians injured by alleged Turkish strikes near Kobane on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Kobani News via Facebook)
  • One of the civilians injured by alleged Turkish strikes near Kobane on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Kobani News via Facebook)
  • One of the civilians injured by alleged Turkish strikes near Kobane on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Dijla via Facebook)
  • alleged Turkish strikes near Kobane on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Rojava Information Center)
  • alleged Turkish strikes near Kobane on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Rojava Information Center)

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
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS598

Incident date

June 3, 2023

Location

الاصيلم, Al Asilem, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.401518, 39.190418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including a woman, were injured by an alleged Turkish drone attack on farmland in Al Asilem village, near the M4 road and north of Raqqa on June 3, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a 35 year old woman named Houriya Ayed Al-Daher and her 45 year old husband named Hussein Hammoud Al-Muhammad were injured in the attack when working on farmland and taken to hospital to receive treatment. Additional local sources provided similar casualty information, attributing the drone strikes to Turkish drones, with multiple sources referring to “explosive-laden drones.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hussein Hammoud Al-Muhammad
45 years old male injured
Houriya Ayed Al-Daher
35 years old female injured

Summary

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

  • Hussein Hammoud Al-Muhammad, 45 years old, injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on June 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Asilem (الاصيلم), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.401518, 39.190418. 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 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
    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

TS630

Incident date

September 20, 2023

Location

قرية أبو نيتونا, Abu Nitouna, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was seriously injured by an alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Abu Nitouna on September 20, 2023

According to ANF’s correspondent, a citizen named Majed Ibrahim Ali was seriously injured by a Turkish bombardment of the village of Abu Nitouna. Alyaum TV added that in addition to the civilian injury, the Turkish bombing resulted in property damage.

The Violations Documentation Center put the injury toll at two civilians and reported that the injured were taken to the hospital.

All of the sources attributed the bombing to Turkey, with multiple sources mentioning that heavy weapons were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Majed Ibrahim Ali ماجد إبراهيم علي
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Majed Ibrahim Ali, seriously injured by alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Abu Nitouna on September 20, 2023. (Image posted by ANF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Majed Ibrahim Ali, seriously injured by alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Abu Nitouna on September 20, 2023. (Image posted by Ronahi.tv)

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
    1–2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS203

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

مستكو, عفرين, Mastako, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.542605, 36.618558 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian 64-year-old was wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Mastako, Afrin, according to Rumaf.

The source said that the victim had many shrapnel wounds in his thighs, hands and head.

The Kurdish Red Crescent also listed the victim as wounded, though it said this occurred in Shya’ and it is not known whether this is in Mastako.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Abdullah bin Mohammed
64 years old male Via Rumaf FB injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mastako, Afrin (مستكو, عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.542605, 36.618558. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS267

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

الزربة, Zerba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.068446, 36.978618 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media, a 21-year-old civilian was wounded followed an alleged Turkish air and or artillery strike on the village of Zerba.

It was reported that his wounds were critical and that as many as four other civilians were wounded, including critical cases.

Sources reported that Turkish warplanes bombed the centre of Shirawa and the villages of Basutah, Karzayleh and Zerba.

It was reported that there was extensive material damage to the properties in the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Juma’a Rajab
21 years old male critically wounded injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)
  • Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zerba (الزربة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.068446, 36.978618. 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
    1–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]