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

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

TI074

Incident date

October 9, 2021

Location

سيدان, Sidan, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Geolocation

35.58366, 44.72131 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two people, including a woman, were killed and two civilians were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Saydani village on October 9, 2021. The majority of sources refer to all of the casualties from the incident as civilians except BasNews, which identified two Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) fighters as being killed.

Rudaw News reported that a woman was killed and two others were wounded in Turkish drone strikes. The person killed had not yet been identified because “the body is mangled and therefore we can’t determine the age of the deceased,” Sharif Rahim, spokesperson for Chamchamal’s health directorate, told Rudaw, adding that “the wounded are between 25 and 35 years of age.”

According to BasNews, two Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) fighters were killed in the drone strike, which struck a car. BasNews was the only source that identified PKK fighters as being involved and not civilians. Hawar News specifically referred to a “civilian car” being hit by the airstrikes and identified those injured as being civilians.

Xeber24 News added that the two injured civilians were transferred to Chamchamal Hospital, the body of the woman who was killed was taken to forensic medicine in Sulaymaniyah.

The Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan issued a statement to public opinion, which stated: “The Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan condemns the bombing by Turkish planes of the Qaranjir border near the city of Kirkuk, which left casualties and damages.”

All of the sources attributed the strikes to Turkish drones or reported that they “believed” Turkey was responsible.

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
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 women)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sidan (سيدان), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.58366, 44.72131. 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
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 women)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS503

Incident date

April 24, 2022

Location

قرية بندرخان, Bandar Khan village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.709197, 38.696223 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a 16 year old, was killed and others were injured, including an elderly man, were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on Bandar Khan village on April 24, 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a civilian was killed by Turkish artillery shelling of a regime military checkpoint in Bandar Khan village.

The correspondent for Hawar News also reported that a civilian was killed, adding that “several others were wounded as a result of the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries launched violent artillery and missile shelling”. Al Etihad Media corroborated this casualty toll, reporting that a civilian was killed and “a number of others were wounded” and Alyaum TV reported that some of the casualties “were transferred to the Jalabiya district hospital for treatment, in addition to causing significant damage to homes and property”.

Xeber24 provided the name of the civilian killed: “Hammoud Ali Osman” from the village of Khani. A local source also told Xeber24 that “many” citizens were injured, including “Mohamed Ayoub”. North Press Agency clarified that Hammoud was 16 years old and that “an elderly man was seriously injured in the village of Bir Arab and was transported to the city of Manbij.”

According to Al Etihad Media, the shelling by the Turkish military was a response to the “killing of one of its soldiers, after targeting a Turkish armored vehicle with a rocket-propelled grenade last Friday, according to a statement by the Turkish Ministry of Defense.”

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

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bandar Khan (بندرخان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.709197, 38.696223. 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS526

Incident date

July 18, 2022

Location

مياسة, Mayasa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.396980, 36.946560 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged Turkish  rocket attacks on the village of Mayasa on July 18, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a woman was injured in Mayasa village as a result of Turkish bombing in Afrin. The correspondent for Hawar News also identified the woman injured as a Kurdish citizen of the village named Zalukh Hamsho (30 years old) who was taken to the nearest medical point for treatment.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the woman’s injuries as being “moderate”. All of the other local sources that also reported on this incident identified one woman as being injured and attributed the bombardment to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zalukh Hamsho زلوخ حمشو
30 years old female killed

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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mayasa (مياسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.396980, 36.946560. 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
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS554

Incident date

September 18, 2022

Location

قرية قرموغ, village of Qara Mogh, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.829774, 38.550523 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured by alleged Turkish artillery and mortar shelling of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a young man was injured by Turkish bombardment of artillery shells and mortars on the village of Qara Mogh. The injured victim is named Khalil Badr, 18 years old, and he was taken to a hospital in Kobani.

Kobani News reported that “civilians” were injured and that in addition to Khalil, others whose identities were not known were injured. Residents told Kobani News that the bombardment started at seven o’clock in the morning.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Badr خليل بدر
18 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • 18-year-old Khalil Badr who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022. (Image posted by Kobani News)
  • Alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qara Mogh (قرية قرموغ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.829774, 38.550523. 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
    1–3
  • 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

TS582

Incident date

December 24, 2022

Location

خزيموك, Khazimuk, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

Geolocation notes

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

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS611

Incident date

July 15, 2023

Location

بلدة حارم, Harem town, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A man was injured when he was allegedly shot by Turkish border guards near Harem town on July 15, 2023.

North Press Agency reported that Turkish border guards shot and injured a 52 year old man named Riyad al-Kanou while he was checking on his land, which is adjacent to the Turkish border near the town of Harem. A local source told North Press that the Turkish border guards shot the man with several bullets, one of which hit his body, and that he was taken to Harem Hospital in critical condition.

No other sources were found reporting on this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Riyad al-Kanou رياض الكنو
52 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS646

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Location

الرويمية, village Al-Ruwaymiya, Latakia, Latakia Governorate, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Saturday,  October 7th, 2023, a Syrian man named Afif Mali (Mualla) Ibrahim, and his wife Fayrouz Ali Hassan were killed during the shelling of the village Al-Ruwaymiya in the countryside of Latakia allegedly by the military group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, while their two sons and another girl were wounded. According to the local radio station, Sham FM, the couple died “as a result of an injury they sustained when a rocket shell fell on their house.”  The exact age of Afif Mali Ibrahim is unknown, but by the image shared by Syria Costal News Facebook account he appears as a man in his twenties.

There were different estimates of the number of the injured civilians. A report by Bahlouliya News mentioned that only the two sons of Afif Mali Ibrahim were wounded, while the Latakia Governorate wrote about one injured civilian. Salqin news and Facebook user Tartus reported about the four injured. The victims were treated in the hospitals in the city of Latakia.

The government news agency SANA claimed that the village was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades. A house in the village Al-Ruwaymiya was reportedly destroyed.

Local websites in Latakia accused the armed opposition group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham which is affiliated with the Turkish military of this attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Afif Ma’la Ibrahim عفيف معلا ابراهيم
Adult male killed
Fayrouz Ali Hassan فيروز علي حسن
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Source: Hussein Mohammed Deeb facebook
  • Source: Hussein Mohammed Deeb facebook
  • Source: Syria Costal news facebook
  • Source: Dihke facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]