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

TS404

Incident date

January 1, 2020

Location

تل أبيض, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.691373, 38.949966 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, named as Ammar Alhaji, was reportedly shot dead by members of the al Majd Brigade of the Syrian National Army.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, the man was “shot dead while he was trying to prevent fighters of Turkish-backed Al-Majd Legion from stealing his car.”.

Euphrates Post reported that the victim was a taxi driver.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: “Ammar al Hajji, from Tal Abyad city in the northern suburbs of Raqqa governorate, was killed in a shooting by members of al Majd Brigade of the Syrian National Army in Kendar village in the northern suburbs of Raqqa suburbs, on January 1, 2020.”

The killing led to civilians taking to the streets in protest.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Al-Haji
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ammar Al-Haji, reportedly shot by members of al Majd Brigade of the Syrian National Army, Tal Abyad, Jan 1st 2020 (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ammar Al-Haji, reportedly shot by members of al Majd Brigade of the Syrian National Army, Tal Abyad, Jan 1st 2020 (via RBSS)
  • Protests in Tal Abayd following the death of Ammar Al-Haji, Jan 1st 2020 (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Abyad (تل أبيض), for which the coordinates are: 36.691373, 38.949966

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS437

Incident date

May 19, 2020

Location

عرب حسن كبير, Arab Hassan Kabir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.649744, 37.848683 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was injured in artillery strikes by alleged Turkish-backed mercenaries on the village of Arab Hassan Kabir, Aleppo governorate, on May 19th, 2020, according to local sources.

Hawar News reported that as a result of shelling by Turkish-backed mercenaries, the 30-year-old Mohammed Hajj Hussein Al Khalaf was wounded. Medical staff told Hawar News that the man “suffered a slight head and foot injury, while the abdominal area was seriously injured, resulting in liver tear and internal bleeding, and the necessary operations were performed while he was under intensive care.”

Hawar News spoke to the uncle of the victim, Ali Al Khalaf, who stated: “We were sleeping in our homes and the shelling started at 5 am.” According to Al Khalaf, six shells landed on the village, destroying civilian homes. The victim’s uncle left the house when the shelling stopped, finding that his nephew had been wounded and taken to the city of Manbij, adding that one of the shells hit the wall of the house of his nephew.

Rojava Network reported that “Turkish-backed terror groups shelled the village Arab Hassan Kabir with mortars, wounding one civilian, in addition to material damage.”

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hajj Hussein Al Khalaf
30 years old male injured

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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Ali Al Khalaf, the uncle of Mohammed Hajj Hussein Al Khalaf, who was injured in alleged Turkish-backed artillery strikes on the village of Arab Hassan Kabir on May 19th, 2020, was interviewed by Hawar News (via Hawar News).
  • Mohammed Hajj Hussein Al Khalaf was injured in alleged Turkish-backed artillery strikes on the village of Arab Hassan Kabir on May 19th, 2020 (via Hawar News).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Arab Hassan Kabir (عرب حسن كبير), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.649744, 37.848683. 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI038C

Incident date

June 19, 2020

Location

آناه, Anah, Erbil, Syria

Geolocation

36.673265, 45.045489 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Rudaw.net reported that a civilian was killed in alleged Turkish shelling on the village of Anah in Hajj Omran in Erbil on June 19th, 2020.

The source said that “the Turkish shelling targeted the village of Anah in Hajj Omran in the district of Joman in the governorate of Erbil, killing a shepherd, bringing the number to four victims, within 24 hours only.”

No further information on this incident is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Anah (انه), allegedly located in the vicinity of Hajj Omran (حاجي عمران). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Hajj Omran are: 36.673265, 45.045489.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS496

Incident date

March 15, 2022

Location

قرية الجات, Al Jat village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.636817, 38.032688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Al-Jat village on March 15, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a drone struck Al-Jat village in the northeast of Manbij city with several bombs, injuring two civilians.

A Facebook post from Hawar News quoted the media center of the Manbij Military Council, who said that Turkish forces bombed multiple villages northeast of the city of Manbij, without mentioning any casualties.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Jat (الجات), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.636817, 38.032688. 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS528

Incident date

July 22, 2022

Location

شورك, Shurak, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.03748981, 41.34373069 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were injured who were passersby to an alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle on Qamishli-Tirbespi Road, in Al-Hasakah, Rojava, north-east Syria on Friday July 22nd 2022.  The vehicle was reported to have been a military vehicle belonging to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).  The attack was also said to have been targeting the Military Academy in the city of Ayn al-Arab.

Three local sources reported on civilian harm, with Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting that “other people were injured by shrapnel while they were passing in the area.”

Three female SDF commanders were reported killed in this attack who were allegedly part of the SDF Women’s Protection Unit.  One commander, reported in media as Salwa Yusuk, but also with alternative names, Berwin Muhammed Buzan, Ciyan Afrin and Gian Tolhildan, was the leader of PKK/PYD militia.  According to sources, she was aged around 42.

The other two SDF fighters were reported in international media as Joana Hisso, aged 30, also known as Roj Khabur, and Ruha Bashar, aged 19, also known as Barin Botan.

In a tweet, the US Central Command said that Yusuk was a “critical SDF leader who led forces in combat vs ISIS since the height of the fight to defeat the vile ideology in NE Syria in 2017.” Another US military official, who remained anonymous told NBC News that “there is no doubt she saved American lives on the battlefield.”

The SDF General Commander, Mazloum Abdi, also called them “heroines who participated in the war against ISIS.”

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
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022, injuring several civilians (Image via Rudaw News)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a suspected military vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 injuring several civilians (Image via Rohani TV)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a suspected military vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 injuring several civilians (Image via Rohani TV)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a suspected military vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 injuring several civilians (Image via Rohani TV)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a suspected military vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 injuring several civilians (Image via Rohani TV)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a vehicle in Rojava injuring civilian passerbys and reportedly three SDF militants on July 22nd 2022 (Image via Hawar News)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a vehicle in Rojava injuring civilian passerbys and reportedly three SDF militants on July 22nd 2022 (Image via Hawar News)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a vehicle in Rojava injuring civilian passerbys and reportedly three SDF militants on July 22nd 2022 (Image via North Press Agency)
  • PKK/PYD militia leader, Berwin Muhammed Buzan was allegedly killed in the Turkish drone strike in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 (Image via الخابور Alkahbour)
  • PKK/PYD militia leader, Berwin Muhammed Buzan was allegedly killed in the Turkish drone strike in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 (Image via الخابور Alkahbour)
  • PKK/PYD militia leader, Berwin Muhammed Buzan was allegedly killed in the Turkish drone strike in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 (Image via الخابور Alkahbour)
  • Three female SDF fighters were reportedly killed in a Turkish drone strike in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 (Image via ANHA عربية )
  • Salwa Yusuk, a deputy commander of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was among three female SDF fighters killed in the strike last Friday, the officials said (Image via NBC News)
  • Three female commanders of SDF were reportedly killed in a Turkish drone strike on July 22nd 2022 (Image via NBC News)
  • Three female commanders of SDF were reportedly killed in a Turkish drone strike on July 22nd 2022, and there were reports of multiple civilian casualties (Image via The New York Post)
  • @OGNreports posted three photos, one of Berwin Muhammad Buzan, a SDF commander reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike, and the aftermath of the attack where civilians were reported injured (Image via Twitter)
  • @OGNreports posted three photos, one of Berwin Muhammad Buzan, a SDF commander reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike, and the aftermath of the attack where civilians were reported injured (Image via Twitter)
  • @OGNreports posted three photos, one of Berwin Muhammad Buzan, a SDF commander reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike, and the aftermath of the attack where civilians were reported injured (Image via Twitter)
  • "Salwa Yusuk (AKA Ciyan Afrin) a Deputy Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - along with 2 fellow female fighters - was killed in an attack near Qamishli, Syria, on July 22, 2022." (@CENTCOM / Twitter)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Na’amatli (نعمتلي) checkpoint, west of Shurak (شورك) village. Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 37.03748981, 41.34373069.

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  • Imagery:
    @OGNreports

  • Imagery:
    Hawar

  • Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Imagery:
    North Press Agency

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
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS558

Incident date

October 3, 2022

Location

قرية قارموكس, Qaramox village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.830000, 38.552222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Qaramox village on October 3, 2022.

Kurdistan24 quoted Rojava Information Center reported that two civilians were injured by a Turkish bombardment in Qaramox village, near Kobani.

A military source told North Press Agency that two people were slightly injured by the bombing in the Kobani countryside. North Press also provided the names of those injured: Masoud Abu Ayoub, 53, from Qaramogh, Mustafa Hero, 25, from the village of Goran.

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:

Masoud Abu Ayoub
53 years old injured
Mustafa Hero
25 years old injured

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qaramox village (قرية قارموكس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.830000, 38.552222. 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
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS588

Incident date

February 22, 2023

Location

بويرة, Bouira, Al Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.019566, 41.407089 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was reportedly killed on February 22nd 2023 as a result of reported Turkish drone action, hitting a car on the road between Qamishli and Al-Qahtaniya, north east of Al Hasakah, Syria.

كوردستان پوست Kurdistan reported on Facebook that the civilian killed was Khalil Munji. Local sources also reported that a commander of the Internal Security Forces was injured in the same attack.

Other sources, including Al Araby reported that two people were killed, and one of them was involved in the “Taksim bombing” in Istanbul last November. Sources from the Syrian Democratic Forces told Al Araby that Khalil Munji was mentioned in the leaks published about the investigation and that he is a civilian person who trades agricultural products. It is not clear that he is linked to the “SDF” or “Workers’ Party” militias, but they confirmed he worked with a group of smugglers. After the strike, “ambulances also transported the injured from the targeted area to the hospital” but it is unclear how many people were injured.

Al Araby also reported that the car attacked was a jeep that belonged to the Syrian Democratic Forces while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred to the vehicle as a “civilian car.”

Sputnik News Agency, a Russian state-run news agency quoted by SABA reported that “at least two militants from the “Qasd” forces loyal to the US army were killed by targeting a Turkish drone.” Al-Khabour Network quoted a private source who stated that two leaders of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), one of whom was leader in the Internal Security Forces, were killed and provided their names as Hussein Al-Khalil and Haval Akram, also accusing them of being involved in the Taksim bombing.

BasNews added that one of the suspects, Ammar Gerkes, confessed to the Turkish government that a person named “Khalil Munji,” residing in the Syrian city of Qamishlo, asked Gerkes to transfer Ahlam al-Bashir, who was responsible for the bombing. However, Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory said “the civilian who was killed in the strike was known to smuggle people to Turkey. The man had, however, denied accusations by Turkish authorities that he smuggled into Turkey Ahlam Albashir, a Syrian woman who is accused of carrying out the attack.”

According to ANF, the strikes occurred on a road between Qamishlo – Tirbe Spih and was near the village of Bouira, east of the city of Qamishlo.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish forces. The official Anadolu Agency, Turkish state-run news, quoted security sources as saying that the Turkish intelligence managed, through an operation in northern Syria, to neutralize the mastermind behind the planning and implementation of the terrorist bombing on Istiklal Street – admitting that they carried out the strike.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Munji خليل منجي
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Vehicle hit by alleged Turkish drone strikes east of the city of Qamishl on February 22, 2023. (Image posted by ANF)
  • Hussein Al-Khalil and Haval Akram, killed by Turkish drone strikes on February 22, 2023. (Image posted by Al Khabour News)
  • Vehicle hit by Turkish drone strikes east of the city of Qamishl on February 22, 2023. (Image posted by Arta Radio)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the road between Qamishli (ٱلْقَامِشْلِي) and Al-Qahtaniya (ٱلْقَحْطَانِيَّة) in the vicinity of the village of Bouira (بويرة). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 37.019566, 41.407089.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS620

Incident date

August 3, 2023

Location

قرية عبوش, Aboush village, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the afternoon of Thursday August 3rd 2023, Aboush village in the countryside of Tal Tamr Hasaka, in Northeastern Syria was reportedly shelled with artillery by Turkish forces and their loyal factions, causing injuries of varying degrees to 5 civilians.

ANHA Hawar News Agency reported that the Turkish forces struck civilians of Aboush village with 5 shells, injuring the following 5 civilians: Hussein Ali Hamira, Abdel-Baqi Sayed Ali, Maher Hussein Hamira, Bassam Hamid Okla and Abdel-Karim Dahham. They were being treated at Martyr Ligrin Hospital in Tal Tamr district.

A citizen of Aboush village, Abdul Karim Daham, injured in the shelling, spoke to ANHA News Agency, stating that  “(…)the occupation targeted the village with several shells, and I did not know what happened, except that I was injured, and I left the village.”

This was corroborated by citizen Bassam al-Hamid who was also injured in the shelling, when he told ANHA News Agency: “The Turkish occupation targeted us with 5 artillery shells. I saw nothing but that one of the shells fell in front of me, which led to my injury with shrapnel in the chest, abdomen and hand.”

A third injured citizen of Aboush village Maher Hussein Hamira spoke with ANHA News Agency and reported that: “The situation was stable, except that the Turkish occupation targeted the village suddenly, as a result of which 5 people, including myself, were injured,(…) the targeting was direct to civilians and villagers.”

This version of events was reported by multiple sources: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the Turkish forces stationed in the ‘Peace Spring’ area in Northeastern Syria, shelled Aboush village. The North Press Agency and Gercek News both corroborated these facts and reported on the strategic importance of Aboush village, remarking that: “it is a junction on the M4 Highway linking Hasakah to Aleppo governorate in the northwest”. Further news outlets such as Kurdistan24 and a facebook post by Firat News reported these versions of events.

BasNews reported on the shelling of Aboush village, noting that the shelling was part of ongoing clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian armed factions, resulting in the injury of the five civilians. A source on the ground further highlighted to BasNews the displacement of the people from the villages caused by this shelling, who were seeking refuge in safer areas.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Ali Hamira
Age unknown injured
Abdel-Baqi Sayed Ali
Age unknown injured
Maher Hussein Hamira
Age unknown injured
Bassam Hamid Okla
Age unknown injured
Abdel-Karim Dahham
Age unknown injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Gercek New)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Gercek New)

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
    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 (9) [ collapse]