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

TS634

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

مزارع مشيرفة, Mushayrifa Hamma farms, Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

At 8:00 on Thursday, October 5th 2023, an alleged drone strike by Turkish forces hit civilians near the town of Mushayrifa Hamma farms, killing one civilian and injuring at least three other civilians.

Sources including ANF, Rojnews and SOHR reported three civilians being injured by the bombing, while NPA, quoting the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), stated that four civilians had been injured. Hawar News Facebook account is the only source reporting one civilian being killed by the attack.

Rojnews and FOX Press Facebook account also reported that the attack hit the factory of Mushayrifat Hama, north of the city of Al-Hasakah, on the road linking the city of Al-Hasakah and Tal Tamr, north-east Syria. ANF referred to the location as being a farm while Hawar referred to the location as a “sand factory”.

In addition, according to SOHR and The Levant News the area is a military construction point of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the attack caused the burning of a diesel tanker, referring to those injured as “workers”.

The suspected attacker is alleged to be the Turkish armed forces, as reported by most of the sources including ANF, Rojnews and SOHR. Responsibility has not been accepted explicitly, however various sources including SOHR and NPA reported the public threats by the Turkish Foreign Minister made the day prior the bombing: “From now on, all infrastructure and energy facilities belonging to the terrorist PKK organization in Syria and Iraq are legitimate targets for our security forces.” Moreover, the statement and the series of attacks reported on October 5th, would have been in response of the attack that targeted the General Directorate of Security in the Turkish capital, Ankara, and was claimed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party on October 3rd, 2023.

The incident occured at 08:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Source: SOHR
  • Source: SOHR
  • Source: SOHR

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 infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS043

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Location

مدينة 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 three and six civilians including one child died and several others were wounded in alleged Turkish air or artillery strikes on Al Bab, Syria, local media reported.

Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu cited the IS media agency Al A’amaq, reporting that there had been “18 Turkish raids on Al Bab and more than 100 artillery shells dropped on January 7th”.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Turkish forces and warplanes, which killed at least 6 people and injured several others including children, and the death toll is expected to rise because there are some people in a critical situation.”

Halab News named the civilians killed in Al Bab and reported it was a result of artillery shelling. They did not attribute blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdel Qader Abboud al Najjar
Child male named by Halab News killed
Fadel Hassan al Sha’abo
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
The son of Hassan al Sha’abo
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (مدينة 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
    3 – 6
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS059

Incident date

January 23, 2017

Location

تل بطنان, Tal Btan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.395556, 37.538889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On January 25th, a single source, Al Bab24, reported: “Rescue teams managed to pull out the bodies of three people from al Othman family. Rasoul al Othman was identified. They were killed a few days ago in Tal Btan, Syria following Turkish artillery shelling.”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rasoul al Othman
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Btan ( تل بطنان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.395556, 37.538889. 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
    3
  • (1–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Incident Code

CS300 TS002

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Location

جب الكوسا, Jeb el Kussa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.688187, 37.996683 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twenty people were reported killed and 50 injured after clashes at Jeb el Kussa, south of Jarabulus.

According to Al Alam “these people fell during battles between militants and extremist groups backed by Turkey and the so-called “democratic forces of Syria” and armed groups backed by America.

The Syrian Observatory confirmed casualties in the ranks of the local fighters backed by the Turks in the region.” Russia Today, citing the Syrian Foreign Ministy, said those who died were civilians but blamed “air and artillery weapons of the Turkish army in coordination with armed groups.”

Most media blamed Turkey. However local Free Syrian Army factions accused both Turkey and the US-led Coalition of “deliberate raids by warplanes on al Sreirat and Bu’r al Koussa committing brutal massacres against the unarmed civilians of the elders and women and children killed tens of martyrs and the wounded.”

Ara news: “Syrian Kurds have accused Turkish troops of committing a massacre against civilians in the villages of Jeb al-Kousa and Megher-Sresat, south of Jarabulus. According to human rights organisations, at least 20 Arab civilians were killed and 50 injured under Turkish bombardment.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

Family members

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jeb el Kussa (جب الكوسا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.688187, 37.996683. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA103607
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Aug. 28, 2016, in Jeb el Kussa, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3033/CS300 37SDA103607

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported that "Near Manbij, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed a vehicle.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS478

Incident date

November 9, 2021

Location

الهلالية, al-Hilaliya, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.051495, 41.198363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three civilian men, including a 70 year old man, were killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle in the al-Hilaliya neighborhood in the city of Qamishli on November 9, 2021.

The North Press Agency reported that three people were killed in a Turkish drone strike in the al-Hilaliya neighborhood in the city of Qamishli. Furat News Agency referred to the three people killed as being civilians.

According to the sources of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the person who was targeted in the explosion is a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces’ leadership’s advisory, but he was not in the targeted car at the time of the strikes. Instead, the explosion resulted in the death of his grandfather, his brother and a third of their relatives. At the time of reporting, they believed that the explosion could’ve been caused by a Turkish drone or an explosive device planted in the car.

Rudaw News also reported that the vehicle that was destroyed was an armored vehicle that belonged to the SDF and that the strike killed his brother Mazloum Gilo, and two of their relatives Yousef Gilo and Mohammed Gilo.

A tweet from @slmhktn refers to “PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) members” being in the car but does not specify who among the victims was a PKK member.

Images provided by local sources show a white SUV on fire in the middle of a residential neighborhood in the city of Qamishli, with residents and rescue teams trying to put out the fire. Tasrebat quoted a source that reported that ambulances transported the bodies of the victims, which were charred as a result of the fire, to the Khabat Military Hospital in the city.

Nalia Media Corporation added that the strike occurred at 3pm local time and that the drone belonged to Turkish forces.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Yousef Gilo
70 years old male
Mazloum Gilo
male
Mohammed Gilo
male

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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
    0–1

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Flames engulf a car following alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by Furat News Agency)
  • Alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Crowds gather around a burning car, with the fires caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Crowds gather around a burning car, with the fires caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by @LaqsLaqs16)
  • Crowds gather around a burning car, with the fires caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by @LaqsLaqs16)
  • Flames engulf a car following alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by @LaqsLaqs16)
  • Flames engulf a car following alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by @LaqsLaqs16)
  • Victims of the drone strike and resulting fire caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by @wrongname46)
  • Damage to the vehicle from the drone strike and resulting fire caused by alleged Turkish drone strike on a civilian car in Qamishli on November 9, 2021. (Image posted by @wrongname46)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a car struck in the Al Hilaliya (الهلالية) neighbourhood of the city of Qamishli (قامشلي). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 37.051495, 41.198363.

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  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @LaqsLaqs16

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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
    0–1

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS513

Incident date

June 2, 2022

Location

دادا عبدال, Dada Abdel, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.8908577, 40.337634 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Dada Abdel in Zarkan district on June 2, 2022.

Hawar News reported that two people were injured when Turkish forces bombed the center of Zarghan district, its hospital, and villages, destroying a number of houses.

Xeber24 added that a child was injured in the bombing, providing the child’s name: (Murtaza Al-Mustaif), who was injured in the foot and taken to a hospital in the city of Ad-Darbasiyah. The source also specified that the bombing occurred in the village of Dada Abdel in Zarkan district.

Alarm News identified the injured child as being from the the village of Um Mahramleh and Hawar News reported that the child that was injured, Murtaza, is 14 years old.

All of the sources attributed the strikes to Turkish forces, and Xeber24 added that since the morning of June 1st the Turkish army had launched more than 80 shells at the Zarkan district.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Murtaza Al-Mustaif مرتضى المصطيف
14 years old male injured

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A 14 year old child named Murtaza was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Zarghan district on June 2, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A 14 year old child named Murtaza was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Zarghan district on June 2, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dada Abdel (دادا عبدال), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.8908577, 40.337634. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS539

Incident date

August 6, 2022

Location

الصناعة, Al-Sina'a neighborhood in Qamishli, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.056502, 41.246509 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, including two children, were killed and at least two others were injured in an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in the Al Sina’a neighborhood of Qamishli on August 6, 2022.

Hawar News reported that a car exploded in Al-Sinaa neighborhood in Qamishli after being stuck by a Turkish drone near the “Hasko Gas Station”. One of the civilians killed is the child Ahmed Ali Hassan, 16 years old, while the civilian Ali Hassan was injured, and he was transferred to Al-Rahma Hospital in Qamishli city to receive treatment.

Qamishlo Event shared on Facebook names of two other civilian victims killed: Ahmed Ali Shebi and Ahnk Akram Shebi. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) identified the two children killed, Ahmed and Ahnk Shebi, as being brothers while ENKS stated that they were cousins, working in the industrial zone.

Ezdina’s correspondent reported that three of the victims were identified as the child Ahmed Ali Shebi and Ahnak Akram Shaibi who is in his twenties, and they are relatives from the al-Antariya neighborhood in the center of Qamishli. The correspondent also identified Al-Madani Ali Hassan, the father of the child Ahmed Hassan, as being wounded, in addition to another person seriously injured and others that suffering minor injuries.

ENKS added the name Mazloum Asaad as another person killed in the strikes. A Facebook post from Tigris – the Syrian island specified that Mazloum was from Amuda and was in the military police.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified a car explosion in Al-Sina’a Al-Qadima (old industrial) area at Kaziyah Hasko, resulting in the death of one person and the injury of at least three others. SOHR later revised their toll to four people killed, including two children and two unidentified people believed to belong to the SDF. However, other local sources, including Ezdina, referred to all three people killed as civilians.

According to a Facebook post by Ehmed şihab, four people were killed, including two children, and two civilians were injured and were in critical condition. ENKS also identified four “citizens” as being killed and that vehicle struck was a H100 car, causing material damage to the shops near the place of the explosion.

The Democratic Union Party (PYD) released a statement regarding the attack, saying “On August 6, 2022, a drone of the Turkish occupation state targeted a car in the Sinaa neighborhood, resulting in 4 people being martyred, 2 of whom were children, and the injury of some others…The flying of planes of the Turkish occupation army in the airspace of Syria violates international agreements.” The majority of other sources also attributed the incident to Turkish drones.

The incident occured at 18:21:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Ali Shebi أحمد علي شيبي
Child male from Al-Antariya neighborhood killed
Ahnk Akram Shebi آهنك أكرم شيبي
Adult male in his 20s, from Al-Antariya neighborhood killed

Family members (2)

Ahmed Ali Hassan أحمد حسن
16 years old killed
Al-Madani Ali Hassan المدني علي حسن
Father of Ali injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • People gather around the site of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Blood from victims of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Blood from victims of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Blood from victims of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • People gather around the site of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • People gather around the site of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Explosion caused by an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Step Agency)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hotnews24 via Facebook)
  • People gather around the site of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Ezdina)
  • Mazloum Asaad, identified as being in the military police, was killed by an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Tigris - the Syrian island)
  • Ahnak Akram Hassan, allegedly killed by Turkish drone on August 6th 2022 (Image via @Tactica1Arms / Twitter)
  • People hold photos of the two children who were killed in an alleged Turkish drone strike on August 6th 2022 (Image via @EverydaySyria / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al-Sina’a (الصناعة), within the city of Qamishli (القامشلي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.056502, 41.246509. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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
    2 – 4
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS566

Incident date

November 20, 2022

Location

تفل بقل, Takl Bakl, Hassakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 12 civilians, including two women, a journalist, and a health care worker, were killed and between three and six others were wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes and drone strikes in the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022.

Rojava Information Center reported that Turkish forces carried out airstrikes on a power station in Takl Bakl, destroying the power station and causing a power outage in the 65 surrounding villages, in addition to killing one of the workers at the station. Following the strikes, just after civilians and medical personnel came to the site to help, Turkey bombed the same location again, killing 10 civilians and injuring six, in addition to carrying out a drone strike on a car driving away from the site.

Rojava Information Center also published the names of the civilians killed: Husin Ali, Isam Abdullah (Journalist), Chichak Harouni, Hilal Qasim, Hadia Abdullah, Mazin Osi, Husin Khilto, Noury Chafchi, Fayez Abdullah, Mahmoud Ali, Abid Khalid. 

North News put the casualty numbers at nine killed and three others injured, identifying Hawar News Agency’s correspondent Isam Abdullah among the dead. Hawar News provided a biographer for their correspondent who had been working to expose the truth for eight years: “Isam was born in 1984 in the town of Abera in Jal Agha district in Qamishlo canton. He completed primary school in the village and middle school and high school in the town of Rumailan, and studied the Arabic language department at Damascus University. Isam worked as a teacher in Damascus for a period of time, and with the outbreak of the Rojava revolution, he returned to his home and joined the activities and events of the revolution. He started working in the field of journalism in 2015 as a correspondent for Ronahi newspaper, and in 2017 he joined our agency.”

Kobani News reported that 11 civilians and a journalist were killed, while Rudaw News referred to “at least 11 civilians killed”. Hawar News reported that the funeral for 12 of the “citizens” killed in the bombing occurred at the shrine of the martyr Khabat Dêrik in Dêrik district of Qamishlo canton on Monday, and an image shows that among the 12 killed were two women.

A Facebook post by كيفك وجعي Keifek Wajai added the name Hussein Ramadan Tai, a healthcare worker who was killed on his way to treat the wounded from the bombing.

The General Manager of the Directorate of Electricity in the Jazira region, Akram Suleiman, told North Press that the targeted plant in the village of Takl Bakl was completely destroyed, in addition to the death of one of the plant workers and the injury of two others. The General Manager also added that there were no military operations or posts within the plant.

According to الخابور khabour via Facebook, Turkish forces also bombed a PYD/PKK headquarters in the countryside of Al-Malikiyah, killing a member of the PYD/PKK named Dia Hooker.

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

The incident occured after midnight.

The victims were named as:

Husin Ali
Age unknown male killed
Isam Abdullah
Age unknown male Journalist killed
Chichak Harouni
Age unknown female killed
Hilal Qasim
Age unknown male killed
Hadia Abdullah
Age unknown female killed
Mazin Osi
Age unknown male killed
Husin Khilto
Age unknown male killed
Noury Chafchi
Age unknown male killed
Fayez Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Ali
Age unknown male killed
Abid Khalid
Age unknown male killed
Hussein Ramadan Tai
Age unknown male Healthcare worker killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (2 women2 men1 journalist1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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
    1

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Rojava Information Center)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Rojava Information Center)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Rojava Information Center)
  • (Hussein Ramadan Tai) was martyred in the village of Takl Bakl while he was on his way to treat the wounded by the bombing of the Turkish occupation in northern and eastern Syria.
  • Victims of the bombing in the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Kobani News via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Journalist Isam Abdullah, killed in the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Member of the PYD/PKK named Dia Hooker, killed by alleged Turkish airstrikes on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by الخابور khabour via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by الخابور Khabour via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by الخابور Khabour via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by الخابور Khabour via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. (Image posted by الخابور Khabour 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
    9 – 12
  • (2 women2 men1 journalist1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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
    1

Sources (22) [ collapse]