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

TS564

Incident date

November 6, 2022

Location

قامشلو, Qamishlo, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including an unknown number of children, were reported injured as a result an alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle on Al-Hizam Al-Ghaby Road, near Al-Saada School in Al-Qamishly city in Al-Hasakah countryside, Syria, on November 6th 2022.

Two to three SDF fighters, including a commander and a driver, were also reportedly killed in this attack.  Hussein Bari reported that one SDF member killed was the “fighter” Kamal Muhammad Ali, possibly also known as “Mitan Shorsch”.

The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces issued this statement: “The Turkish occupation’s attacks against civilians’ places and properties continue, and yesterday, Sunday, November 6, and in thevening hours when a fighter from our forces was spending his vacation in his home and was walking around with two of his civilian comrades, they were targeted by the Turkish occupation army.”

“The car in which our fighter, “Mitan Shorsch” and his two companions, was travelling, was targeted by a drone of the Turkish occupation army, which resulted in the death of our comrade Mitan, and the injury of civilians.”

 

 

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
    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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • "QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) - A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) lost his life after a Turkish drone hit his car in the city of Qamishli in northeast Syria on Sunday." (North Press Agency)
  • An alleged Turkish drone strike hit a vehicle, injuring three civilian passerbys on November 6th 2022 (Image via Dilovan Çeto / Facebook)
  • "The martyrdom of the fighter Kamal Muhammad Ali, son of the city of Sere-Kaniye, during the bombing of a Turkish march on a car in the city of Qamishlo", SDF militant reported killed (Image via حسين بري Hussein Bari / Facebook)

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
    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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS605

Incident date

June 20, 2023

Location

قرية تل شعير, Tel Shaeir road, Al Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Tuesday June 20th 2023, an alleged drone strike by Turkish armed forces hit a car in the village of Beyandur, east of the city of Qamishli, northeast Syria, killing three civilians, two Kurdish local officials and their driver, and injuring another local official.

Sources including SOHR, NPA and Reuters reported three civilians being killed by a drone attack in a car belonging to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), including Yusra Darwish, the co-chair of the Qamishli Region Council; Leyman Shoish, the Deputy Co-chair; and Farat Toma, their driver. As a result of the attack also Gabi Shamoun, the other Co-chair, was injured while they were all on their way to visiting AANES institutions.

SOHR, NPA and Reuters also reported that the attack took place on Tel Shaeir road, in the area between Al-Qamishly and Amudah cities in northern Al-Hasakah province in Syria’s Kurdish-run northeast. In addition, NPA reported a statement released by the Women’s Coordination of the AANES denouncing the drone attacks of the Turkish armed forces against civilians in the area under the alleged false-flag of protecting the national security of the region. Moreover, according to the statement, the attack is reported to “coincide with the AANES’s announcement of its intention to start the trial of leaders and militants of the Islamic State (ISIS)”, which Turkey allegedly wanted to prevent. Additionally, as reported by ABC (AP), on the same day of the attack, a two-day round of talks opened in the Kazakh capital, Astana, “aimed at resolving the broader conflict in Syria among officials from Russia, Iran, Türkiye and Syria.”

The suspected attacker is alleged to be Turkey, as reported by most of the sources including SOHR, NPA, Reuters and ABC (AP), although responsibility has been contested by Turkish authorities, as reported by Reuters, claiming their “intelligence agency had “neutralised” a senior figure in the Kurdish YPG, or People’s Protection Units, in the area of Tal Rifaat some 27 km northwest of Tal Shaeer. It named the figure as Ridvan Ulugana and said he had been active in operations targeting the Turkish military. It did not say that any civilians were killed, or mention Tal Shaeer.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yusra Darwish
Age unknown female co-chair of the Qamishli Region Council killed
Leyman Shoish
Age unknown female Deputy Co-chair killed
Farat Toma
Age unknown male killed
Gabi Shamoun
Age unknown Co-chair, injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Destruction to a car caused by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Yusra Darwish, the co-chair of the Qamishli Region Council; Leyman Shoish, the Deputy Co-chair; and Farat Toma, their driver killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Yusra Darwish, the co-chair of the Qamishli Region Council; Leyman Shoish, the Deputy Co-chair; and Farat Toma, their driver killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Destruction to a car caused by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Fakhereddin Abdi via Facebook)
  • Destruction to a car caused by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Tel Shaeir road on June 20, 2023. (Image posted by Fakhereddin Abdi via Facebook)

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
    3
  • (2 women)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS640

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

مستشفى كورونا, Corona Hospital, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.151267, 42.110050 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 5th October 2023, it was reported by Hawar News and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Press Center that two hospital workers were injured when Turkish airstrikes hit the Corona Hospital in the village of Tel Fara (“Kri Fara” village in Kurdish), within the Derik District.

According to Roz Press and RIC Arabic, the hospital was “destroyed”. On Facebook, RIC Arabic published a video showing images of the destroyed healthcare infrastructure. A crater with piles of rubble can be seen. The same source added the destruction of the building was the result of two alleged Turkish strikes.

The strike hit the hospital in the evening. No further update regarding the status of the injured has been provided.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rumeilan Today facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: F Documentaries facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: F Documentaries facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Corona Hospital (مستشفى كورونا) in the village of Tel Fara (أخبر فارا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.549263, 34.525323. 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS028

Incident date

December 21, 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 seven and 15 civilians, most of them apparently from one family, were reported killed in a Turkish bombardment of Al Bab, Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “the city is witnessing massive bombardment by the Turkish forces leading to the death of seven, the majority of them from one family, the number of the dead is likely to rise.”

The ISIS media propaganda outlet Al A’amaq published a similar report but said all the victims were from one family.

LCCSY and Al Bab News reported that 15 people were killed. Al Bab News added they were mostly from the Al Nako family and four of them children. In addition, one woman from the Al Masri family was reported dead.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Member of the Al Masri family
Adult female killed

Family members (4)

Member of the Al Nako family
Child killed
Member of the Al Nako family
Child killed
Member of the Al Nako family
Child killed
Member of the Al Nako family
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 15
  • (0–4 children0–1 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

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
    7 – 15
  • (0–4 children0–1 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS068

Incident date

January 29, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were reported killed in alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab.

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq said that “two children were killed and nine others injured in Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab northeast of Aleppo.”

There is currently no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.5179666. 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
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS387 TS014

Incident date

November 22, 2016

Location

صابويران, Sab Wayran, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.51741, 37.65538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two girls died in a reported Turkish or Coalition airstrike on the village of Sab Wayran near Aleppo, Syria.

Manbij Military Council (linked to the SDF) reported that “two sisters were martyred from the family of Ahmad al Rashid Beish Illo after Turkish occupation planes raided their home in the village of Sab Wayran.” It added that four people were injured.

The Syrian Network instead blamed the attack on the Coalition. However the Assad-controlled SANA news agency said the village had been captured by Turkey and its allies, following clashes with the Kurdish SDF.

In August 2017 the US-led Coalition denied involvement in the event, noting that “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Child female killed
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

3 years years old female injured
14 years years old female injured
35 years years old female injured
8 years years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Saleh, injured in an alleged Coalition and Turkish airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)
  • Khanum Shamlo injured in an alleged Coalition and Turkish airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sara al Ahmad injured in an alleged Coalition and Turkish airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)
  • Photograph shows one of the two sisters, Shahad and Amina Ahmad Rashid Beish Illo, killed in an alleged Turkish and Coalition airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)
  • Photograph shows one of the two sisters, Shahad and Amina Ahmad Rashid Beish Illo, killed in an alleged Turkish and Coalition airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sab Wayran (صابويران), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.51741, 37.65538. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Sabwayran, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 22nd-23rd 2016 the Coalition reported no strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS493

Incident date

February 24, 2022

Location

الطريق بين القامشلي وعامودا, Road between Qamishli and Amouda, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.041217, 41.109385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians, including three women and their driver, were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the Qamishlo-Amouda road on February 24, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a car was struck by a Turkish drone, resulting of the injury of four people, including three women. The car was traveling on the Qamishlo-Amouda road, east of the Faruj resort, and it was coming from Amouda towards Qamishlo. The names of the wounded are: Dalia Sheikhmus (20 years); Munifa Hamidi (33 years), who was hit by shrapnel in the leg area; Rosa Hammo (38 years), who was hit in the thigh area; the driver Lazkin Abed (35 years old) who was hit in the shoulder by shrapnel.

The injured civilians were transferred to the “Farman” hospital in Qamishli for treatment, according to Enab Baladi. A medical source in the hospital told North Press Agency, “The four people sustained varying injuries and shrapnel, and their health condition is stable, after receiving first aid.” The medical source added that the driver of the targeted car has been discharged from the hospital, and two women will also be discharged after receiving treatment, but one of them needs an operation, and it was determined two days later.

The driver of the car carrying passengers, Lazkin Abed, explained the details of the attack to Hawar News: “We were in the car coming from Amuda towards the city of Qamishlo, and I had 14 passengers, and suddenly the attack happened and a strong sound was issued and the windows of the car were shattered. I did not stop in that moment. I kept [driving] until the tires of the car exploded on my way to Himo. The passengers who were sitting on the left side of the car were more affected than others, as a result of the strong attack, as shrapnel was scattered towards them.”

Rosa Hamo told North-Press, “We were on our way to Qamishli, and when we arrived at Hemo, and before reaching the city’s entrance checkpoint, I heard a strong sound and shrapnel began to fall on us, and I did not know what happened after. I was hit by shrapnel in my left shoulder and arm as well.”

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Turkish drone intended to hit a military vehicle that was also traveling on the road.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

20 years old female injured
33 years old female injured
38 years old female injured
35 years old male injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a van carrying civilians on the Qamishlo-Amouda road caused by a Turkish drone strike on February 24, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to a van carrying civilians on the Qamishlo-Amouda road caused by a Turkish drone strike on February 24, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to a van carrying civilians on the Qamishlo-Amouda road caused by a Turkish drone strike on February 24, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to a van carrying civilians on the Qamishlo-Amouda road caused by a Turkish drone strike on February 24, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck east of the Faruj Tourist Resort (منتجع فاروش السياحي) on the road between Amouda (عامودا) and Qamishli (قامشلو). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Faruj Tourist Resort are: 37.041217, 41.109385.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck east of the Faruj Tourist Resort (منتجع فاروش السياحي) on the road between Amouda (عامودا) and Qamishli (قامشلو).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI083

Incident date

June 17, 2022

Location

كلار, Kalar, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Geolocation

34.626923, 45.318998 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four people were killed and one was injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the town of Kalar on June 17, 2022. Conflicting reporting was given as to whether all of those killed and injured were members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or whether at least one of the people killed, Hussein Shibli, was in a civilian political role in the government.

Rudaw News reported that a Turkish drone struck a car carrying alleged members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), killing at least four PKK affiliates and injuring another, adding that a jeep vehicle was set on fire when it was hit by a Turkish drone at around 9:30am.

Kurdistan 24 also quoted the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) of the Kurdistan Region’s Security Council (KRSC) in reporting that five people were in the car that was hit, four were killed and one was wounded, and did not elaborate on the identities of the casualties.

According to Alaraby News, Hussein Shibli, co-chairman of the executive council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), was one of the people killed in the drone strike. He was reportedly on a formal visit to the Iraqi Kurdistan region, according to AANES officials. “Our comrade Hussein Shibli, also known as Farhad Shibli, was on a formal visit to the Kurdistan region for medical treatment. He was martyred in a terrorist attack in Kalar,” Avin Swed, representative of the AANES in the Kurdistan region told The New Arab, quoted by Alaraby, in a phone interview. She added that DNA tests confirmed that Shibli was killed, the driver of the car has been injured, and the identity of the three others has yet to be identified as they were badly burnt.

The Arab Weekly quoted Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, who reported on Sunday that the Turkish intelligence service managed to “neutralise the Syrian terrorist Hussein Shibli, the co-chair of the so-called Central Executive Council of the Syrian Autonomous Administration of the terrorist PKK organisation, in the city of Sulaymaniyah” in northern Iraq, and that he was “close to Farhad Abdi Shaheen, one of the leaders of the YPG/PKK in Syria”.

The Syrian Democratic Forces described Shibli as a “political leader in building and achieving organisational, intellectual and social construction projects” in Syria. Bedran Chiya Kurd, Co-chairmanship of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, issued a statement that “targeting  our comrade Ferhad who was on a civil and humanitarian mission in Southern Kurdistan in the Kelar region that is some 200 km away from Turkish borders comes within the terrorist acts that target the best of our fighters in the Region”.

The Arab Weekly also referred to “observers” that suggested instead that the assassination was carried out by a locally-operated suicide drone or by the detonation of an explosive device under his car, but did not specify who was then responsible for this operation. All other sources attributed the drone strike to Turkey.

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
  • 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
    5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle in the town of Kalar on June 17, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle in the town of Kalar on June 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan24)
  • Hussein Shibli, also known as Farhad Shibli, referred to by conflicting sources as being a member of the PKK or a political figure, was killed by an alleged Turkish drone strike on Kalar town on June 17, 2022. (Image posted by The Arab Weekly)
  • Hussein Shibli, also known as Farhad Shibli, referred to by conflicting sources as being a member of the PKK or a political figure, was killed by an alleged Turkish drone strike on Kalar town on June 17, 2022. (Image posted by The Arab Weekly)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kalar (كلار), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.626923, 45.318998. 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
  • 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
    5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]