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

TS573

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

الزيدية, Al Zaydiyah, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.804710, 40.379030 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Al Zaydiyah on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that two people were injured by an explosive-laden drone strike on the village of Al Zaydiyah in Darbasiyah district. ANF added that at the time there was no information on the condition of those injured.

A Facebook post by Evin Shexmous published a similar casualty toll of two civilian injured by a Turkish drone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zaydiyah (الزيدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.804710, 40.379030. 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
    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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS572

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

المصرف, Al Masraf, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.02628, 41.546997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes that struck a civilian car in the village of Masraf on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that three people were injured when Turkish forces bombed a civilian car in the village of Masraf. The injured civilians were transferred to Qamishli Hospital for treatment.

Both Hawar News and Dijla posted on Facebook a similar casualty count of three civilian injured.

All three sources that reported on the incident attributed the bombing to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Car damaged by alleged Turkish airstrikes in the village of Masraf on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Masraf (المصرف), allegedly located in the vicinity of Al Qahtaniyah (القحطانية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Qahtaniyah are: 37.02628, 41.546997.  

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS571

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

علي اغا, Ali Agha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.90373, 41.89885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that three people were wounded by Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha in Tal Koçer. Two of the wounded were taken to Derik Hospital, while the other, who suffered a serious injury, was transferred to Qamishli Hospital.

A Facebook post by Metin Bekes reported that civilians were injured and identified four raids as being carried out by Turkish forces against the village of Ali Agha.

Alyaum TV and Metin Bekes both posted on Facebook that casualties resulted from Turkish strikes without specifying how many.

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by Ciwan Ibrahîm via Facebook)
  • Alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by دجلة - الجزيرة السورية via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ali Agha (علي اغا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.90373, 41.89885. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS574

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

دوار القرموطي, Al-Qarmouti square. al-Gharbi neighborhood,.Qamishli., Hasakeh, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 23th, 2022, between one to two civilians were reportedly killed and another one injured by a Turkish drone targeting a truck at Al-Qarmouti roundabout (also referred to as “Al-Hilalia roundabout”) in Qamishli city in the evening. According to local sources, the truck was completely destroyed by the strike.

Sources identified the civilian injured as the Mayor of Himo village, Hassan Majdin, 45 years old. He was taken to a hospital in Qamishli for treatment. A medical source said that his injuries were minor, while another source claimed he was “seriously wounded”.

Local sources reported conflicted information regarding the number of casualties. Sources either claimed that the strike wounded or killed SDF leader “Rizan Kalo” who was inside the vehicle when the attack was conducted. SOHR claimed that the driver of the truck, whose identity was not disclosed, was killed, while “Rizan Kahlo” and another person was injured in the bombing. One local source quoting Russian-owned media Sputnik mentionned that “Rizan Kalo” was killed along with “two of his companions”, without precising if those were also SDF militants.  Al-Araby Al-Jadeed correspondent claimed that the attack killed two people, without further precisions, and injured two others, the wounded being identified as Hassan Majdin and Rizan Kalo.

 

 

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Majdin حسن مجدين
45 years old male Mayor of Himo village injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • On November 23th 2022, in Qamishli city, a reported Turkish drone strike hit and destroyed a vehicle. Photo: SOHR
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    On November 23rd 2022 in Qamishli city, one civilian was injured and between one to two others killed following a reported Turkish drone strike in Qamishli city. Photo: Qamishli now
  • SDF leader "Rizan Kalo" reportedly injured in a Turkish drone strike targeting a truck in Qamishli city on November 23rd 2022. Photo: صفحة كوردستان الكبرى G K P
  • On November 23rd 2022, an alleged Turkish drone strike hit a truck in Al-Qarmouti roundabout in Qamishli city. Photo: NPA
  • SDF leader "Rizan Kalo's family denied news that "Rizan Kalo" died following a reported Turkish strike on a vehicle on November 23rd 2022. Photo: وكالة روج نيوز المستقلة للأخبار

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS570

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

القحطانية , Terbe Spi (al-Qahtaniyeh) east of the city of Qamishli, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 23rd 2022, 6 civilians, including 4 workers and 2 oil engineers were reportedly injured by Turkish airstrikes and/or artillery attacks on a car and on the Tigris Oil Station, in the vicinity of oil fields close to Terbe Spi town (Turba Sabih, Tirbe Spih, al-Qahtaniyeh).

Several local sources indicated that Turkish warplanes hit a car located on M4 Highway south of Terbe Spi leading to 4 workers injured. Those were identified as Abdul Rahman Al-Ahmad, 22 years old, Ibrahim Al-Mohammed, 43 years old, Abdel Moneim Khalifa, 28 years old, and Ziyad Al Habib 35 years old. The injured were then taken to the Kurdish Red Crescent center for treatment.

Two oil engineers identified by local sources as Aser Sattam and Abdel Karim Abdo were reportedly injured by Turkish strikes on the Tigris Oil Station, in Gerhok (Karhouk) village, east of Jal Agha district. They were transferred to Girkê Legê and Qamishli hospitals for treatment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Rahman Al-Ahmad
22 years old male injured
Ibrahim Al-Mohammed
43 years old male injured
Abdel Moneim Khalifa
28 years old male injured
Ziyad Al Habib
35 years old male injured
Aser Sattam
Adult male engineer injured
Abdel Karim Abdo
Adult male engineer injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • At least 4 civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish strike on November 23rd 2022 in Terbe Spi area. Source: ANHA English
  • At least 4 civilians workers were injured by an alleged Turkish strike on November 23rd 2022 in Tirbe Spih area. Source: Haval Sedo
  • Reported damage by alleged Turkish bombing on November 23rd 2022 on Tigris oil station and in Terbe Spi area. Source: Evin Shexmous
  • A car damage by alleged Turkish bombing on November 23rd 2022 in Terbe Spi area. Several civilians were reportedly injured by the strike. Source: Evin Shexmous
  • Reported damage by alleged Turkish bombing on November 23rd 2022 on Tigris oil station and in Terbe Spi area. Source: Evin Shexmous
  • Reported damage by alleged Turkish bombing on November 23rd 2022 on Tigris oil station and in Terbe Spi area. Source: Evin Shexmous
  • On November 23rd November, Turkish airstrikes reportedly hit oil and gas fields as well as villages, leading to several civilian casualties east of Qamishli city. Source: NPA
  • Two oil ingeneers were reportedly injured by Turkish strikes on the Tigris Oil Station, located in Karhouk village, east of Jal Agha district. Source: ANHA عربية

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (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

TS568

Incident date

November 21, 2022

Location

بينة, Ibbin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ibbin (بينة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.46599, 36.99337. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

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]