Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS489 TS079

Incident date

February 13, 2017

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, New Street, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3705393, 37.5151107

Airwars assessment

At least 15 civilians from the same family died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes, as the battle to seize Al Bab from ISIL continued. Up to nine other non-combatants also died.

Al Jazeera initially placed the death toll at 16 and then 24, though said the fatalities resulted from “shelling and battles in the city.” The Syrian Network blamed the Coalition for the deaths of “17 civilians, including 3 children and 5 women”, while LCCSY reported “21 martyrs in Aleppo killed in Turkish air and artillery bombardment on al Bab.”

According to Shaam News “Al A’amaq agency [ISIL] reported that Turkish aircraft and aircraft of the international coalition launched more than 20 air raid on the city’s neighborhoods, as has been targeting residential neighborhoods with more than 250 artillery shells and grenades.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male son of Ahmad Abdo Kazkaz killed
Age unknown male son of Mohammad Ali Kazkaz killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 24
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 17 were killed and others wounded due to warplane raid targeted the new street in Al-Bab.
  • One of the victims (via Al Bab 24)
  • One of the victims (via Al Bab 24)
  • One of the victims (via Al Bab 24)
  • One of the victims (via Al Bab 24)
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 Al Bab (Aleppo), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3049224538
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 12th-13th 2017 the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity of Al Bab.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 24
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS100

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Location

عنابكة, poultry farm at A'nabka, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.494167, 36.956389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 11 civilians, mostly children from several families, died in alleged Turkish airstrikes on a poultry farm at A’nabka, according to local media.

Afrin Now, Al Watan and Syria Steps all blamed Turkey. Afrin Now first placed the location of the strikes at Abeen, though later changed this to A’nabka – informing Airwars that the two villages are very close to each other. Casualties were also reported in Jalbara, though in a private message Afrin Now confirmed that this was the same location as A’nabka.

In a later report, the source said that there was a “Turkish airstrike against civilians in a warehouse in Jalbara. Our medical team were witnesses of this massacre, and rescued seven people from the the building. Many of them were children and there was even one under one-year-old. The victims were referred to the hospital. Eleven civilians were confirmed dead in this massacre, many of them children. We still don’t know anything about six people who were in the same building, and we are still trying to search for them”.

Welat FM and Step News Agency also reported that Turkey carried out raids on the village of Jalbara.

According to Welat FM, “three workers were killed and ten wounded. They were transferred to hospital. There are dozens of civilians under the rubble”.

According to Rojava, the death toll had climbed to 17 civilians, “most of them from a single family”.

Kurdish Red Crescent named an unidentified female aged 30 as killed, and said that Khalid Rahmano was wounded.

Vedeng added that “a displaced family from Idlib” were also killed, while 16-year-old Sami al-Hussein “was missing under the rubble”.

The source also published a number of images showing civilians being removed from the rubble following the air strikes.

Another image depicted “the funeral of 12 civilians and two fighters of the Syrian Democratic forces”, though it is unclear whether this photograph refers to this casualty event alone.

According to Alitihad Press “a medical source in the city of Afrin reported the death toll of the massacre of the village of Anakka southeast of the city to 10 people, including seven from one family who had been displaced from the city of Maarat al-Nu’man in rural Idlib.”

Revo Spring said that a family of seven died after “they were prevented from leaving the area by the Syrian Democratic Forces”.

The Syrian Observatory said that 11 civilians died, including “the death of 8 civilians from one family from the Maraat Al-Noman countryside in Idlib province, including a woman and 5 children below the age of 16.”

A video published by Rumaf reportedly features the only survivor of the poultry farm massacre in Jabal Hajar. The transcipt is as follows:

‘Off camera: How many missiles were fired?

Man: 4 missiles. I was hit by one of them

Off camera: They killed innocent kids

Man: They are Daesh, those people, they are Daesh – Mohammad’s son was 4 months old

Young girl: we are kids we had come to work. We’re not a military front or anything. We had come here to work. Why all this shelling on top of our head?’

A report by SDF Press cited Dr. Nouri Qanbar from the Kurdish Red Crescent as saying that “Our paramedics have rescued two children in the poultry farm of the village of Jalbara, but we have documented that there are about 11 people under the rubble after being bombed by the Turkish raids, which led to the complete destruction of the building’”. The organisation later said that five people were still missing following the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rahaf al Hussein al Omar
33 years old female named by Afrin now “all of them from a displaced family from Ma’arat al-Nu’man” killed
Wael al-Hussein
1 years old male named by Afrin now “all of them from a displaced family from Ma’arat al-Nu’man” killed
Hadeel Al Hussein
10 years old female named by Afrin now “all of them from a displaced family from Ma’arat al-Nu’man” killed
Ghalia al Hussein
8 years old female named by Afrin now “all of them from a displaced family from Ma’arat al-Nu’man” killed
Salma al Hussein
6 years old female named by Afrin now “all of them from a displaced family from Ma’arat al-Nu’man” killed
The child of Mus’ab al-Hussein
6 years old The child of Mus’ab al-Hussein (unknown gender)named by Afrin now “all of them from a displaced family from Ma’arat al-Nu’man” killed
Ahmed al-Hussein
17 years old male named by Afrin now “all of them from a displaced family from Ma’arat al-Nu’man” killed
Abdelkader Rahmano
40 years old male Afrin Now informed Airwars that a second family, displaced people from Kufr Saghir, was also killed. killed
Ahmed Rahmano
37 years old male Afrin Now informed Airwars that a second family, displaced people from Kufr Saghir, was also killed. killed
Mohamed Abdelkader Rahmano
9 years old male Afrin Now informed Airwars that a second family, displaced people from Kufr Saghir, was also killed. killed
unidentified 30 year old female
30 years old female named by Kurdish Red Cresent killed
Cuma Muhammad Al Hussen
17 years old named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Hameda Ibrahem
3 years old named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Hessen Ibrahem Al Hussen
2 years old named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Fady Muhammad Eed
10 years old named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Ismael Muhammad Ibrahem
12 years old male named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Khalid Muhamad Ali
46 years old male named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Kefah Musa ALamer
Age unknown named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Unidentified man
30 years old male named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Emad Shemo
29 years old named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Basm Suleman
Age unknown named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured
Abdullqadir Kenjo
Age unknown male named by The Kurdish Red crescent as injured injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 24
  • (7 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–24
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Civilians being dug out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via Afrin now)
  • Civilians being dug out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via Afrin now)
  • Funeral in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via Afrin now)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via Rumaf)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via SDF Press)
  • Boy trapped under the rubble following an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via SDF Press)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via SDF Press)
  • Boy trapped under the rubble following an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via SDF Press)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead bodies under the rubble following an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via SDF Press)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead bodies under the rubble following an alleged Turkish raid on a poultry farm at A'nabka, 21st Jan 2018. (via SDF Press)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 24
  • (7 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–24
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS026

Incident date

December 17–19, 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

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq reported that 22 civilians were killed and 53 injured as a result of Turkish artillery shelling and airstrike in Al Bab, Syria.

It wrote: “22 dead and 53 injured among the residents of Al Bab who fell over the last two days following Turkish artillery and aerial bombardment.”

There are currently no other known sources available, with some of the numbered fatalities potentially linked to other listed events between December 17th and 19th.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    53
  • 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, 37.51631. 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

Original strike reports

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For December 14th to 20th, France reports 10 strikes: 8 in Iraq – 7 of which were in Mosul – and 2 in Syria. They reported that 16 targets were destroyed.

#Chammal : 10 frappes contre Daech en Irak et en Syrie cette semaine, 16 objectifs détruits.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    53
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS277

Incident date

March 16, 2018

Location

عفرين, Afrin city centre, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Up to 21 civilians including five children died and as many of 45 were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Afrin city centre, according to local media.

IC Afrin indicated the death count at 20 reporting that the Turkish army is shelling everywhere in Afrin city and its surroundings.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights learned from a number of reliable sources that Turkish warplanes targeted Afrin city during the past few hours [March 16th]. The targeting of Afrin has continued since last night, by the Turkish forces and warplanes, which resulted in the fall of tens of casualties and wounded. The Observatory has documented the death of 18 citizens including 5 children while more than 45 others were injured with varying severity, and others are still missing, with bodies trapped under the rubble.

ANF recorded the death toll as at 21. Six named were identified. Additionally, 29 were identified as injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male via ANF English Mobile killed
Child male via ANF English Mobile killed
64 years old male via ANF English Mobile killed
32 years old male via ANF English Mobile killed
Adult male via ANF English Mobile killed
70 years old male via ANF English Mobile killed
54 years old male via ANF English Mobile injured
25 years old male via ANF English Mobile injured
21 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
8 years old female via ANF English Mobile injured
24 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
55 years old female via ANF English Mobile injured
60 years old female via ANF English Mobile injured
80 years old male via ANF English Mobile injured
60 years old male via ANF English Mobile injured
2 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
15 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
15 years old female via ANF English Mobile injured
31 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
60 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
35 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
55 years old female via ANF English Mobile injured
39 years old female via ANF English Mobile injured
8 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
42 years old male via ANF English Mobile injured
40 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
29 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
52 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
35 years old male via ANF English Mobile injured
25 years old female via ANF English Mobile injured
7 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
19 years old female via ANF English Mobile injured
63 years old male via ANF English Mobile injured
17 years old via ANF English Mobile injured
32 years old via ANF English Mobile injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 21
  • (1 child5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    29–45
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a number of injured people followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. These victims were injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows dead bodies of civilians, killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. These victims were killed in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a number of injured people followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. These victims were injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a number of injured people followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. These victims were injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured child followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. This victim was injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured or likely dead civilian, following an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. This victim was injured or killed in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a number of injured people followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. These victims were injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured child followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. This victim was injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured child, harmed followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Afrin city centre. The victim was injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (via ANF English Mobile)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured child, harmed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. The victim was injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (via ANF English Mobile)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows civilians dead bodies, killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. These victims were killed in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (Source: ANF)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured or dead man, following an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin city centre. The victim was injured in one of the incidents occurred in Afrin at the same day (via ANF)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A footage shows dozens of civilians, killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin (source: MOHAMMED HASSAN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows two civilians, injured forgoing an alleged Turkish strike in Afrin (Source: ROK)

Geolocation notes

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 21
  • (1 child5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    29–45
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

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

CS410 TS019

Incident date

December 9, 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

At least thirteen civilians were reported killed and eight injured in either a Turkish or Coalition airstrike on al Bab. The Coalition later denied responsibility.

Al Jazeera – citing ISIS – said two families were among 13 dead civilians after multiple “Turkish airstrikes” on the city. The Syrian Observatory said that “no less than 12 civilians from three families were killed while others were wounded by Turkish airstrikes and bombardment by Turkish forces and al-Furat Shield forces targeted al-Bab city which is taken over by IS, including a man with his wife and 3 of their children in addition to another man from the same family, with his wife and 2 of their children, in addition to 2 children with their mother, the number of the dead is likely to rise.”

Shaam News placed the death toll at 20.

Almost all sources blamed Turkey. However LCCSY (which had claimed Turkey was not killing civilians in its actions in northern Syria) said the US-led Coalition was instead responsible. The Syrian Network also blamed the Coalition.

Halaab News (which blamed the Coalition) named the civilian victims.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as ‘Not Credible.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed
Child female killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Child male killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 20
  • (7 children4 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jisr TV reports in tense 'Turkish air and artillery' shelling on the city of al Bab in preparation for a rebel attack. 9th December 2016

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.

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 Al Bab, 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 December 8th-9th 2016, the Coalition publicly 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
    13 – 20
  • (7 children4 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS327 TS005

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الثلثانة, Taltanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.44605, 37.34302 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 19 civilians including 3 children were killed – and as many as 41 people injured – when airstrikes hit the village of Al Thaltanah. Multiple reports initially assigned blame to the Coalition or Turkish forces. However, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition conceded it had injured one civilian in the event.

The Syrian Network and Syria News Desk reported that seven civilians died, and assigned responsibility to the Coalition. Several other reports also blamed the Coalition. The Syrian Observatory reported that “warplanes” targeted the village “inhabited by Kurdish civilians,” leaving 60 civilian casualties, including 13 confirmed civilian deaths.

In a separate report, the Observatory clarified the airstrikes were carried out “likely by Turkish warplanes,” and reported that the death toll rose to 19 civilians, including 3 children, noting “the number of the dead is likely to rise.” ISIL’s news arm Al A’maq News reported that 10 civilians died and several were injured in an “American raid.”

Reflecting the confusion, al Jazeera cited the Observatory and wrote, “it was unclear whether the strike was carried out by the US-led coalition fighting ISIL, or Turkey, which is leading an operation against the group in the area with support from Syrian rebel forces.”

In its December 1st report the Coalition stated: “During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.”

This was later amended on April 30th 2017: “Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.”

Halab News identified 11 civilians, 9 of which it named, who it said were victims of “Coalition plane shelling.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown from Kafr Sgheer village killed
Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Mohammad Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mustapha Yahyia al Ibo
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Illo al Haj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Yahiya Yusuf Al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Yahyia al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Qarmatli
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Satellite images show recent attack resulted from an airstrike, UN says, as battle for Aleppo sees more children killed", November 2016. (via Al-Jazeera)
  • Location of the village where the air strike took place, November 2016. (via Eastern Manbij countryside)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.4457989, 37.3436021

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Taltanah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA515347
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Dec 1, 2016
  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Taltanah, Syria: During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 3rd-4th 2016, the Coalition reported no strikes in the near vicinity, though others for Aleppo governorate: ”Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL machine gun. Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS276

Incident date

March 15, 2018

Location

ترينيدة, Trinide village or Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.493056, 36.879444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians including three children and two women died in alleged Turkish artillery and/or air strikes on Afrin, local media in Syria reported – though there was some uncertainty about the location. Rudaw put the death toll as high as 18.

According to Hawar, the Turkish occupation planes bombed the village of Trinide , the city of Afrin, resulting in the serious injury of Abdullah Bakr, 49 years. Bakr was taken to a hospital in Afrin for treatment. The correspondent confirmed that the bombing is still continuing on the neighbourhoods of the city of Afrin.

However, Afrin Now, who also named Abdullah Bakr, said that he was wounded in the Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood of Afrin.

IC Afrin reported the death of three children and two women.

According to ANF, however, the death toll may have been higher – though it is unclear whether the figure it gives applies specifically to this event or two several across the night of March 15th. On March 16th, the source reported: “The invading Turkish army and allied gangs intensely bombed Afrin city centre with mortar and artillery fire from last night until this morning. 13 civilians, mostly children, died and many more got wounded as a result.

ANF reporter Ersin Çaksu who is in Afrin stated this is only the number they themselves have reached.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ehmed Exlas
32 years old male killed
Şewket Henan
30 years old male killed
Qidret Bexlawa
70 years old male killed
Nezmî Elî
45 years old injured
Heval Cangora
22 years old injured
Ebdulwehab El-Xelef
60 years old injured
Hisên Ebdulwehab
35 years old injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 18
  • (3 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike or shelling by allegedly Turkish Army on Afrin city centre (Source: Aire-cudi)
  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike or shelling by allegedly Turkish Army on Afrin city centre (Source: Aire-cudi)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the victim Abdullah Bakr, 49 years, at the medical centre, injured following an alleged Turkish airstrike or artillery of Afrin city centre (source: ANHA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on Trinide village or Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, Afrin, 15th March 2018. (via Aire-cudi)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Trinide village or Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, Afrin (ترينيدة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.493056, 36.879444. 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
    5 – 18
  • (3 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (14) [ collapse]