Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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Turkish Military
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Incident Code

TS314

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Location

البديع, Bedî, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.653994, 38.921857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Bedî, south of the town of Tal Abyad/Girê Spî, Raqqa governorate, as reported by local sources.

Yeni Özgür Politika (@y_ozgurpolitika) stated on Twitter that Turkish warplanes were responsible for the airstrikes and reported that “many” were  injured, but the exact number of wounded civilians remains unclear.

Currently, more information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bedî (البديع), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.653994, 38.921857. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS346

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

ريحانية, Rihaniya, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.601231, 40.071902 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians – of whom three were women – were wounded in an alleged Turkish attack on Rihaniya village, according to local media.

Hawarnews reported that “two women and an elderly man, all from the village of Rihaniya” were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Rihaniya village.

However, several other sources said that three women were injured in a shooting by Turkisj forces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Civilians talking about the Turkish army targeting their village."

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rihaniya (ريحانية), west of Alia (غرب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.601231, 40.071902. 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
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS367

Incident date

October 25, 2019

Location

Menacîr, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.685491, 40.197258 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Menacîr, Ras Al Ain in Hassakah Governorate on October 25th, 2019, according to local sources.

 

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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]

  • A wounded civilian following an alleged Turkish attack on Menajir, Ras al-Ain, Oct 25th.
  • One of two civilians reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Menajir, Ras al-Ain on 25 October 2019 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Menacîr, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.685491, 40.197258. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

TS385 RS4150

Incident date

November 8, 2019

Location

سرمساخ, Sermisax, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.138889, 41.977500 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and between five and ten others wounded allegedly when Turkish or Russian forces opened fire on protesters in Sermisax, in Qamishli – Syria on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources.

ANHA reported that Serkheboon Ali was killed, and the following civilians were among the injured: Bahoz Çelo,  Fehed Mûsa, Sûhêl Ebdellah, and Eyîşa Omer û Alaa Omer.

The Kurdish Red Crescent report on the casualties caused by the Turkish operation between October 9th and November 14th mentioned that Serkheboon Ali was killed as a Turkish Tank ran over his body.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Serkheboon Ali
Adult male killed
Bahoz Çelo
Adult male from Dêrna Axê village injured
Fehed Mûsa
Age unknown male tear gas inhalation injured
Sûhêl Ebdellah
Age unknown male Girkê Legê resident injured
Eyîşa Omer
Age unknown female Resident of Mistefawiyê village injured
Alaa Omer
Age unknown female Resident of Mistefawiyê village injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Serxwebûn Ali was killed in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • 9th october to 14th of november doc

    KRC list of civilians killed and injured between 09 October and 14 November 2019.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sermisax (سرمساخ), for which the coordinates are: 37.138889, 41.977500. 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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS403

Incident date

December 24, 2019

Location

زونار, Zunnar, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.534167, 38.726944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured in alleged Turkish or Turkish-backed shelling on Zunnar village of Ain Issa, Raqqa on December 24th, 2019 according to local sources. ANHA reported that the Turkish attack directly targeted civilian areas. Other sources blamed Turkish backed mercenaries.

@Karl_hakon reported that “Turkish-backed mercenaries targeted civilian areas in the Ain Issa countryside with artillery and heavy weapons. One civilian was injured due to an attack on Bir Zinar village when he was cultivating his land.”

@Jamal_Bali7 wrote on Twitter that “Turkish backed jihadists targeted civilian areas in the Ain Issa countryside with artillery and heavy weapons.”

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
    1
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the village of Zunnar (زونار) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.534167, 38.726944. 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
    1
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS435

Incident date

May 16, 2020

Location

Qeşqa, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.630682, 40.024910 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and an unknown number of others was wounded when Turkish forces and Turkey-backed militants opened fire at a car in northwest Ras Al Ayn city on May 16th, 2020.

A reporter for the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), which is affiliated with the Syrian regime, in Hasaka stated that “the occupation forces and their mercenaries intentionally opened fire on a van coming for Raqqa city near a checkpoint for the occupation mercenary on Saturday [May 16th]”, adding that the killed man worked in a school while the injured man is a retired worker from an electricity company.

@IbrahimDSY wrote on Twitter that there had been “one civilian martyr and another wounded, as the Turkish occupation forces and its terrorist mercenaries, fired on a civilian car near a terrorist barrier southwest of Ras Al Ayn.”

ANF stated that “the slain civilian is Mihemed Hesen El Cabir from the village of Migrin, west of Til Helef, who was on his way home back from Raqqa last night with others when Turkish-backed jihadists opened fire on the group. Several other people were injured. The man’s body was taken to Selam Hospital in Serêkaniyê.”

@vvanwilgenburg, however, reported that two civilians were killed, naming them as Mihemed Xidir Husên and Ziyab El-Elî.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Mihemed Xidir Husên
Adult male killed
Ziyab El-Elî
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qeşqa, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.630682, 40.024910. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS467

Incident date

March 19, 2021

Location

الحيدريات, Al Hadaryat, Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.387809, 38.862934 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 12 year old child was among three civilians killed, with up to four others injured, in what was described as a Turkish rocket or artillery strike on the village of Al-Hadaryat.

According to NPA, Turkish strikes had begun in retaliation for the firing of two missiles into Turkey’s Kilis province by alleged Syrian regime forces. Turkish president Erdogan was cited as saying that “Of course, this the regime’s practices, and we responded to them.”

Turkish artillery strikes were reported in a number of areas around Ain Issa, with one attack on the evening of March 19th hitting al-Hadaryat. Along with the death of 12 year old Mahmoud al-Khalil, up to five other civilians were initially reported injured. Ugarit Post named those wounded as Abdullah Omar Abdullah, Najib Hamida, Zahrat Al-Sahl, Iman Al-Sahw and Aziza Al-Jokhaidem. The injured were first treated in Ain Issa before being moved to Raqqa.

Hawar News was alone in saying that four civilians had been injured and one killed, in what it said were both artillery and rocket strikes.

Reports said that two additional civilians had subsequently died of injuries sustained in the attack – named as Zahra Saleh Al Samou, aged 25 (who died on the morning of March 23rd according to Xeber 24 and Hawar News); and Iman Saleh Al-Samou, who died on the same day according to Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Hamidi Al-Khalil
12 years old male killed
Abdullah Omar Abdullah
Age unknown male injured
Najib Ibrahim Hamida or Hamidi
Age unknown male injured
Zahra Saleh Al Samou
25 years old female killed
Iman Saleh Al-Samou
Adult female killed
Aziza Al-Jokhaidem or Jukhaidem
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • A civilian injured in a reported Turkish strike on a Syrian village on March 19th 2021 (via ANHA)
  • A civilian victim of a Turkish strike on a Syrian village, March 19th 2021 (via SDF)
  • A civilian victim of a Turkish strike on a Syrian village, March 19th 2021 (via SDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian victim of a Turkish strike on a Syrian village, March 19th 2021 (via SDF)
  • A civilian victim of a Turkish strike on a Syrian village, March 19th 2021 (via SDF)
  • Reported Turkish strikes in the vicinity of Ain Issa, March 19th 2021 (via SDF)
  • Reported Turkish strikes in the vicinity of Ain Issa, March 19th 2021 (via SDF)
  • Reported Turkish strikes in the vicinity of Ain Issa, March 19th 2021 (via SDF)
  • Reported Turkish strikes in the vicinity of Ain Issa, March 19th 2021 (via SDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Zahra al-Samu, who died of injuries sustained in a likely Turkish attack March 19th 2021 (via Hawar News)
  • 'The death of the young woman, Iman Saleh Al-Samou, as a result of her injury due to the Turkish bombing that occurred two days ago on the village of Al-Hadriyat, near the town of Ain Issa. '

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hadariyat (الحيدريات), allegedly located south east of Ain Issa (عين عيسى). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ain Issa are: 36.387809, 38.862934.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Known 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
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS495

Incident date

February 28, 2022

Location

قرية التوخار, Al Tafkhar village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.639318, 37.980547 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Tafkhar on February 28, 2022.

Hawar News reported that a civilian was injured by Turkish shelling on the village of Al Tafkhar. The media center of the Manbij Military Council said that the Turkish forces struck at exactly 8:00 this morning the inhabited village of Al Tafkhar, located north of the city of Manbij, with 7 mortar shells, “which led to the injury of a civilian.”

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that the shelling resulted in material damage to civilians’ property. A local source told North Press that “the bombing also targeted the house of Kafi Al-Jassem (35 years), a resident of the village, without mentioning additional information.”

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish forces and North Press Agency identified the shelling as coming from the Turkish base overlooking the village of Al-Tokhar Al-Kabeer and Al-Waqa’a, at the northwestern edge of the village.

The incident occured at 08:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the village of Al Tafkhar (التوخار), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.639318, 37.980547. 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
    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 (6) [ collapse]