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

TS176

Incident date

February 9, 2018

Location

شكفاتي وتوميشا, Shakfati and Tormmisha village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.527674, 36.655691

Airwars assessment

According to a signal source, an unidentified number of civilians were killed followed an alleged Turkish air strike on Shakfati and Tormmisha village, Afrin.

Rumaf reported that At 16:00 on Friday, the Turkish invasion aircraft shelled the village of Shakfati and Tormisha, where it later emerged that the air invasion had committed a massacre against a family, destroying its home. The bodies were recovered at night when air strikes subsided.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS208

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

سرنجاك و كوبلاكا, Sarinjak and Kuplaka, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.723889, 36.911944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to several local sources, one woman and one man died in an alleged Turkish shelling of Sarinjak and Kuplaka, Syria.

According to Rumaf, since the morning hours, the villages of Sarinjak and Kublka have been subjected to heavy shelling. The primary result is the fall of a woman and a man and the wounding of others. The shelling continues.

Afrin Today reported no deaths though said that a female 51-year-old, was wounded by an artillery shell that hit her house in the village of Koblaka in the Shiran area.

Other sources also reported the death of a woman and a man.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the same victim (Fikret Elî Hesen), 51 years old wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Sarinjak and Kuplaka (Source: IC Afrin Resistance)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of Fikret Ali Hassan who was wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Sarinjak and Kuplaka (Source: Afrin Today)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture that shows the same victim (Fikret Elî Hesen) being treated at the midical care after she wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Sarinjak and Kuplaka (Source: IC Afrin Resistance)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sarinjak and Kuplaka (سرنجاك و كوبلاكا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.723889, 36.911944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS283

Incident date

March 19, 2018

Location

كيمار, Kimar village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.525000, 36.910278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several sources claimed civilians casualties following alleged Turkish airstrikes or artillery shelling on Kimar village, Afrin – though specific numbers were not given.

Claudia, a Kurdish activist, tweeted: “Invaders warplanes are bombing the Kimar village amid intense clashes. We should expect a new massacre of civilians in this village.”

ANF added that “according to reports from the ground, Turkish invasion forces and allied gangs conducted artillery attacks against Basute and Kimara villages in Afrin’s Sherawa district.” ANF went on to add that a heavy bombardment with mortars and howitzers “killed several civilians.”

IC Afrin Resistance reported: “The mosque of Kimar village in Sherawa district has been attacked by Turkish army and related jihadist FSA groups. Civilians have been monitored and they have been attacked by drones belonging to the Turkish army.”

While Hawar reported that there might be martyrs and wounded civilians in the bombing, a later report said that casualties had been reported but did not give numbers.

It is not clear whether the civilians were killed followed the artillery shelling or the airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kimar village, Afrin (كيمار), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.525000, 36.910278. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS103

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Location

محبة, Mobato, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.562634, 36.74562 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported a number of civilians killed and injured in the vicinity of Mobato in Afrin canton.

According to a report shared with Airwars the victims were an unnamed child (killed); and an unidentified woman suffering from shock. Adult civilian males Hassan and Mustafa Ali both reportedly received leg injuries.

Other sources reported Turkish strikes in the areas but made no mention of civilian casualties.

In a private list shared with Airwars, Rumaf listed an “unidentified child, a boy, killed in Mobato on Jan 21st”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Unidentified woman
Adult female killed
Unidentified child
Child male killed
Hassan
Age unknown male injured
Mustafa Ali
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 Mobato (محبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.562634, 36.74562. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

TS166

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Location

عفرين, Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians including a woman died, and more than four others were wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Afrin, according to local media.

Afrin Now revealed a 70-year-old man was killed in the incident and the second victim, a 50-year-old woman, was indicated by Maf News.

However, a tweet in reply to the source Bekodo suggested that Amina Shahin was not a civilian – and an image was published of her holding a gun. Furthermore, Nuce Kurd and Bas News reported that it was Amina Shain who died of the heart attack, brought on my fear and panic.

According to Hawar, Turkish occupation planes destroyed two gunmen in the city of Afrin after five air strikes targeted it.

At approximately 23:30 local time, the Turkish planes targeted two farmers. The first to slaughter the sheep of Al Shaab municipality and the second to slaughter the chickens, which are one kilometre southwest of Afrin.

The shelling resulted in the deaths of the gunmen and the deaths of 15 sheep, and wounded three civilians.

There were five wounded civilians indicated by several sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

70 years old male from the village of Shikhurzze killed
50 years old female displaced from Bulbula area killed
Bader Darmoush
10 years old male A fragment in his chest, from Deir Ballout injured
Mustaffah Beder Dirmoush
Child male injured
Dibeh Darmoush
35 years old female Shrapnel in the foot, from Deir Ballout injured
Shukri Mustafa
88 years old male injured right thigh injured
Khadija Abdul-Munan,
60 years old female taken to hospital, her condition became stable injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    50-year-old Amina Shahin was killed as a result of the Turkish bombardment of Afrin city, 8th February 2018. (via Afrin Now)
  • A picture shows the exact moment the airstrike hit Afrin due to an alleged Turkish airstrike, 8th February 2018. (via: Afrin now facebook)
  • A picture shows the exact moment the airstrike hit Afrin due to an alleged Turkish airstrike, 8th February 2018. (via: Afrin now facebook)
  • A picture shows the exact moment the airstrike hit Afrin due to an alleged Turkish airstrike, 8th February 2018. (via: SDF)
  • A picture shows the exact moment the airstrike hit Afrin due to an alleged Turkish airstrike, 8th February 2018. (via: SDF)
  • Khadija Abdul-Munan, 60, was wounded by a missile fired by the Turkish occupation forces on the city center of Afrin. She was taken to Afrin Hospital and her help was provided and her condition is now stable. (via Afrin Now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the victim Abdul Qadir Othman, killed by an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 8th February 2018. (via: Afrin now)
  • A tweet in response to the death of 50-year-old Amina Shahin claiming she is not a civilian. This image here shows her holding an AK47. (via Bekodo)
  • Civilians huddle for protection in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 8th February 2018. (via MirovKeberd)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin city (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS198

Incident date

February 15, 2018

Location

معملا, Mamli, Rajo district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.598164, 36.639362 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple reports, one named civilian killed, and an unidentified number of injured among civilians followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Mamli, Syria.

ANF news named a 55-years-old, as a victim. Please note that the name on the card in the photo is Mahmood Barazi, but the source claims his name was Mohammed Hassan.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Turkish artillery and missile shelling resulted in the death of a citizen, and there is information about others injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

55 years old male killed
Fawzi Abeen
37 years old male shrapnel in right thigh injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Hassan, killed in alleged Turkish shelling on Mamli, Rajo district, Afrin, 15th February 2018. (via ANF )

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mamli, Rajo district, Afrin (معملا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.598164, 36.639362. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS262

Incident date

March 10, 2018

Location

خربة حياة, شيروا, عفرين , Kharbat Hayat village, Shirwa district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.429444, 37.013333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, one civilian was killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Kharbat Hayat village, Shirwa district, Afrin

Rumaf revealed the name of a 62-year-old male who was killed, adding a 60-year-old male was also injured.

There is a photograph published in the same post of a young boy who appears to be dead.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

62 years old male via Rumaf killed
60 years old male via Rumaf injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (0–1 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Muhammad Cullen, injured in an alleged Kharbat Hayat village, Shirwa district, Afrin, 10th March 2018. (via Rumaf)
  • Muhammad Cullen, injured in an alleged Kharbat Hayat village, Shirwa district, Afrin, 10th March 2018. (via Rumaf)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kharbat Hayat village, Shirwa district, Afrin (خربة حياة, شيروا, عفرين ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.429444, 37.013333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (0–1 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS010

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Turkish artillery or tank shelling reportedly hit a kindergarten in Al Bab, Syria.

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq reported: “Two dead and ten wounded, including three children, due to Turkish tank bombardment in Al Bab city.”

It added that residential areas and the village Al-Qabaseen north of Al Bab were struck.

Alrawi tweeted it was in fact artillery shelling: “A child’s hand was amputated and several children were wounded in a Turkish artillery shelling targeting a kindergarten in Al-Bab,” it claimed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'May God help you. A child's hand was amputated and several children were wounded in a Turkish artillery shelling targeting a kindergarten in Bab al-Bab'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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]