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

TS485

Incident date

January 22, 2022

Location

قرية الحدريات, Hadriat village, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians were killed and up to four others were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Hadriat and other surrounding villages in the countryside of Ain Issa on January 22, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Turkish bombings of the village of Hadriat resulted in the death of five civilians and the wounding of four others. This was the most violent attack carried out by Turkish forces in the last 2 months.

Hawar News reported on the killing of two residents of the village of Jabal from Turkish attacks. Hawar News also reported that two civilians were injured in the bombing of the village of Al-Msherfa. Images posted along with this report show two men getting treatment for their wounds.

North Press Agency put the casualty toll at two civilians killed and three injured, providing the names of the injured as: 20-year-old Muhammad Mahmud, the 45-year-old Muhammad Saleh Mahmud, and the 40-year-old Abdulrahim Hamoud Saleh. The source added that Abdulrahim Saleh Muhammad succumbed to his injuries after arriving at Martyr Omar Alosh Hospital in Ain Issa town.

Ain Issa Plus provided details that Abdulrahim Saleh Muhammad was a child, 14 years old, and add the name Hassan Al-Mohammed to the list of injured, who is 22 years old.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also reported that people were killed and wounded from artillery shelling launched by the Turkish army, adding that “the SDF militia Sabah set up mortars in the vicinity of the village, targeting positions of the National Army militia”.

The Syrian Democratic Forces Press Center identified two civilians as being killed and two others as being injured, and their spokesman @farhad_shami posted a video on Twitter alongside this information that shows a man with blood on his leg, indicating he may be one of the men that was injured.

In addition to the civilian casualties, Syrian Arab News Agency identified that the strikes resulted in damage to “some homes and public and private properties”.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the attack to Turkish forces, with Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firate (ANF) identifed “rockets, Grad guns, tanks and mortar shells” as being used by Turkey “since the early hours of the morning”.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Mahmud صالح حمود محمد
20 years old injured
Muhammad Saleh Mahmud محمد حمود صالح
45 years old injured
Abdulrahim Hamoud Saleh عبد الرحيم حمود صالح
40 years old male injured
Abdul Rahim Salih Muhammad عبد الرحيم صالح محمد
14 years old killed
Hassan Al-Mohammed
22 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • One of the men injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Msherfa on January 22, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • One of the men injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Msherfa on January 22, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Msherfa on January 22, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • Rescue crews and civilians at the site of alleged Turkish strikes on the villages in the Ain Issa countryside on January 22, 2022. (Image posted by 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS518

Incident date

June 9, 2022

Location

ميسلون, Maysaloun neighborhood, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.065754, 41.244520 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and five civilians were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Maysaloun neighborhood in Qamishli on June 9, 2022.

A local source told North Press that “at about 10 a.m, a ‘Turkish’ drone attacked a location near a local market in Maysaloon neighborhood in the city of Qamishli,” resulting in an injury to one civilian and material damage to three food transport trucks. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the market struck as Al-Hal market while Hawar News detailed the location to be near martyr Dalil Sarukhan shrine.

Xeber24 referred to damage to “three civilian cars” and the injury of one of the drivers of the cars, who was taken to a hospital in the city for treatment.

The Internal Security Forces (Asayish) put the number of civilians injured at five, releasing a statement that “this morning, Thursday, the ninth of June, a Turkish drone targeted a warehouse of the Community Protection Forces in the Maysalun neighborhood in Qamishlo city.”

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

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by an alleged Turkish drone strike on Maysaloun neighborhood in Qamishli city on June 9th, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Turkish drone strike on Maysaloun neighborhood in Qamishli city on June 9th, 2022. (Image posted by Xeber24)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Turkish drone strike on Maysaloun neighborhood in Qamishli city on June 9th, 2022. (Image posted by Darka Mazi)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a fruit and vegetable market in the Maysaloun neighbourhood (ميسلون) of Al-Qamishli (ٱلْقَامِشْلِي). Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 37.065754, 41.244520.

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  • Imagery:
    Xeber24

  • Imagery:
    Nûçe Ciwan

  • Imagery:
    Nûçe Ciwan

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS544

Incident date

August 9, 2022

Location

عامودا, Amuda, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.09513, 40.93347 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of a village in Amuda sub-district east of Qamishli city on August 9, 2022.

Hawar News reported that Turkish bombings of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district resulted in the injury of seven civilians, four of whom are children. Hawar also documented the name of the civilian among the total that was injured in the Amuda sub-district: Rodi Sabri. The correspondent for Hawar added that the injured civilian was taken to the district hospital.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that Turkish forces bombed 24 villages and towns in the area, including villages in the district of Amuda. Local sources reported on civilian casualties in shelling on other villages shelled on the same day.

Kurdistan Rêbaza Barzaniyê Nemir added that the shelling caused an exodus of citizens from the area, displacing hundreds, due to the mortars and heavy machine guns.

Both Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Hawar News attribute shelling in Amuda to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rodi Sabri رودي صبري
30 years old injured

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civilians injured by alleged Turkish shelling of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district (TS543 and TS544) on August 9, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an unnamed village being struck, allegedly within the subdistrict of Amuda (عامودا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Amuda are: 37.09513, 40.93347.

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS572

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

المصرف, Al Masraf, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS613

Incident date

July 22, 2023

Location

عزمارين, Azmarin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.055887, 36.401023 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 22nd July 2023, two civilians were reportedly injured by gunfire from Turkish border forces on the Syrian-Turkish border near the village of Azmarin, Harem in Western Idlib.

The North Press reported that both Manaf Azaddin and Yamen al-Sufarani were injured when attempting to cross the border, one in the morning and the other in the evening. The source added that the two injured Syrians were detained by the Turkish border guards, “and what followed is unknown.”

15 other civilians, including six women and their children, were allegedly detained in the two crossing attempts with their personal data and eye prints logged to prevent their entry.

This version of events was reported by several news outlets, including Shaba Al Hadath and Ronahi TV conforming to the narrative provided by the North Press.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Manaf Azaddin مناف عز الدين
Age unknown injured
Yamen al-Sufarani were injured يامن السفراني
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Azmarin (عزمارين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.055887, 36.401023. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS642

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

مدينة نبل, Nubul, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 5 October 2023, a civilian was killed and “dozens” of others were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the city of Nubul.

Fox Press reported that a civilian was killed and several others were injured when Turkish forces and their factions allegedly shelled the city of Nubul at dawn. According to Nubul City News, the man who was killed was 50 years old – he was returning home when he was killed, and Aleppo News identified the man as “retired Colonel Younis Younis“.

Press News reported that “dozens” of civilians were wounded by the shelling.

Images posted by Nubul News show the significant material damage caused by the shelling.

Nubul City posted that the Younes Younes was buried at the Martyrs’ Cemetery and condolences would occur at Imam Zain Al-Abidin Mosque, Eastern District

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Younis Younis يونس يونس
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Press News facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city facebook

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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]

Incident Code

TS031

Incident date

December 25, 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

Between two and three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab, Syria.

Al-Bab Al-Hadath wrote on Facebook: “A woman died last night due to Turkish warplanes shelling in Al-Bab.” Halab News, however, named two dead calling them both adult males. Aleppo AMC only reported artillery shelling but no victims.

The Syrian Observatory mentioned airstrikes and artillery shelling, and only reported “injuries”.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Ayman Mohammed Latuf Al-Najjar
Adult male killed
Mohammed Karman
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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]

  • URGENT: Turkish artillery bombardment targets Bab al-Bab north of Aleppo. 25th December 2016. (via Aleppo AMC)

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
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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

TS071

Incident date

January 31, 2017

Location

تادف, Tedef, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around three civilians were reportedly killed in Tedef near Al Bab due to Turkish or Syrian regime shelling.

Asharq Alarabi reported: “In the governorate of Aleppo, 15 people were killed, eight of them in the shelling of the towns of Tedef, Al Bureij and Al Bab in the governorate’s countryside.”

Cyberaman only reported Syrian regime strikes in the area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “three people were killed, including a woman by bombing and shelling by the Turkish forces and warplanes on areas in Tedef town and Al Bab city in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo which is controlled by the ‘Islamic State’ organization.”

The alleged civilian casualties from Al Bab were already mentioned in T69.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tedef (تادف), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.34857, 37.531501. 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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]