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

TS430

Incident date

April 9, 2020

Location

كفرنايا, Kafr Naya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.420833, 37.073889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

ANF reported that a civilian was injured in the village of Kafr Naya in Aleppo, Syria in alleged Turkish shelling on April 9th, 2020. The civilian is identified as Khaled Oso, aged 42.

“The Turkish army and allied mercenaries have carried out an artillery attack on the villages of Sheikh Hilal and Kafr Naya in Shehba region at around 17:30 local time Thursday afternoon. The bombardment on Kafr Naya injured a 42-year-old civilian named Khalid Oso and caused material damage on the houses of the residents.The man has been taken to the Afrin Hospital in the Fafin district.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Oso
42 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the town of Kafr Naya (كفرنايا) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.420833, 37.073889. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS447

Incident date

August 26, 2020

Location

شيخ حسن, Sheikh Hassan, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.316923, 39.060001 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian male was reportedly killed by Turkish forces as he was crossing the M4 highway near the village of Sheikh Hassan, Raqqa governorate, on August 26th, 2020, according to local sources.

Rojava Network wrote that “a civilian named Qasim Al Khalil (48) was martyred as a result of Turkish shelling on the Sheikh Hassan village, northern countryside of Ain Issa.”

According to Rohani, civilians in the district also held Russia responsible for the death of the man, who reportedly died when crossing the M4 Highway, writing that “innocents are being targeted on the M4 road, despite Russia’s bearing the guarantee of crossing.” The source added that the man’s family “could not reach his body until late hours at night, due to the targeting of snipers”.

It remains unclear whether the victim died by shelling, as reported by Rojava Network, or sniper fire, as suggested by Rohani.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Qasim Al Khalil قاسم الخليل
48 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Unknown
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The 48-year-old man Qasim Al Khalil was killed in alleged Turkish fire while crossing the M4 highway in Ain Issa governorate (via Ronahi).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a road, possibly the M4 segment in the vicinity of Sheik Hassan (شيخ حسن) village, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.316923, 39.060001. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Unknown
  • 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

TI038C

Incident date

June 19, 2020

Location

آناه, Anah, Erbil, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

No further information on this incident is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI064a

Incident date

August 10, 2021

Location

باصل , Bosal, Dohuk , Iraq

Geolocation

37.21093, 42.89497 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was seriously injured in an alleged Turkish artillery strike on Bosal village in Darkar sub-district, Dohuk Province on August 10 th 2021, according to one source.

Christian Peacemakers Teams reported that Abdulrahman Yousif, 55, from the village of Bosal, was severely injured while picking figs in his orchard. The strike occurred at 15:50 and originated from a recently constructed Turkish military base.

The Christian Peacemaker Teams statement regarding the incident was published by local media outlets who did not provide any further details.

The incident occured at 15:50:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdulrahman Yousif عبد الرحمن يوسف
55 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bosal (باصل), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.21093, 42.89497. 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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS506

Incident date

May 12, 2022

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.535300, 37.967900 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, a woman and a child, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Manbij on May 12, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a woman and a child were injured by Turkish shelling of Manbij. Xeber24 reported a similar civilian casualty toll that a woman and a child were injured.

Al Etihad Media reported that in addition to the injuries, the bombing “caused extensive damage to dozens of homes”. Specifically, “the bombing extended from the villages of the Shirawa district, south of Afrin, to the cities of Manbij and Kobani, and the villages of Issa district, with a distance of up to 280 km, in which 40 tons of explosives were used”.

The US Embassy in Syria tweeted a statement that “we are deeply concerned by the recent cross-border attacks from Syria and Turkey and reports of indiscriminate firing on civilian areas.  We call on all parties to deescalate and support regional stability.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Areas across Northern and Eastern #Syria that are being shelled heavily by #Turkey" (Image posted by @dersi4m)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Manbij (كوباني), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.535300, 37.967900. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

TS529

Incident date

July 22, 2022

Location

نبل الخطيب, Nubl Al Khatib, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.547320, 36.261513 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman and a young man were killed, and five others were reported injured, in an alleged rocket attack by militant organisation National Front for Liberation on the village of Nubl al-Khatib and the Jurin area, west of Hama, Syria, on July 22nd 2022, according to local sources. The group, National Front for Liberation, are backed by Turkey.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that these areas are under Syrian regime control and this attack was one of a number of bombardments which they reported came in response to the alleged Russian attacks in the countryside of Idlib last Friday morning.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Nubl Al Khatib (نبل الخطيب), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.54732047, 36.26151324. 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
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS558

Incident date

October 3, 2022

Location

قرية قارموكس, Qaramox village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qaramox village (قرية قارموكس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.830000, 38.552222. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS585

Incident date

January 18, 2023

Location

القحطانية , Al-Qahtaniya Road in the countryside of Al-Hassakah, Al-Hassakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including a child died from injuries sustained during an alleged Turkish drone strike on Al-Qahtaniya Road in Al-Hasakah on January 18, 2023. One other civilian may have also been injured.

On January 18th 2023, a civilian was reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike on a vehicle Al-Qahtaniya Road, in Al-Hasakah countryside. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) added that the civilian killed was the driver and that the attack occurred in the afternoon.

According to Hawar News, one of the civilians wounded is named Ahmed Al-Salem, a 45 year old from the village of Girê Merk who was near the vehicle that was struck with the drone. Hawar News added that others were injured at the time, and that Ahmed was taken to a hospital in Qamishlo for treatment.

On January 20th, SOHR announced that a 12 year old child died of the wounds he sustained in the drone strike of the car. برجاف – FM added that this brought the death toll to two.

Hawar News provided the name of the child killed: Ahmed Abdel-Ghani Al-Salem. Hawar added that Ahmed received an injury to his head from shrapnel and later died from his injuries, adding that he was from the villages of the countryside of Tal Hamid district and that his family had been working on the Ari farm, which is close to the strike location. It is unclear if the child Ahmed is the same person as the injured man earlier referenced by Hawar with the wrong age or if the two victims are related.

On January 24th, SOHR announce another civilian had died of wounds sustained during the attack. Hawar News provided the name of the civilian that died: Abd al-Rahman Hussein Hussam, from the village of Kahnia Dreij in the Kujarat district of Derik district. SOHR added that Abd had been it by shrapnel in the head as well.

ANF reported the location of the strike as occurring on the road to Qamishlo and Derik at the “Ari” rest house at the junction of the village of Ma’shouq. All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the casualties to Turkish drones.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Al-Salem
45 years old injured
Ahmed Abdel-Ghani Al-Salem أحمد عبد الغني السالم
12 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Rahman Hussein Hussam عبد الرحمن حسين
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • ANHA correspondent said that the citizen who was wounded on the Turkish attack on the Qamishlo-Derik road, is called Ahmed Al-Salem.
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by ANF)
  • Another injured person died in an air attack of the Turkish occupation on the Qamishlo-Derik road on January 18, succumbing to his wounds.

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
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]