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

CS333 TS005a

Incident date

October 8, 2016

Location

دويبق, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5643925, 37.2749805 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twelve to 14 civilians, including up to seven children and five women, were killed in air raids on the village of Dabiq in Aleppo governorate, according to local reports. It was alleged that both the Coalition and Turkey were responsible.

The Syrian Network reported “at least 8 civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Al Dabiq village in Aleppo governorate.” Halab Today TV, citing activists, reported that 12 civilians had been killed and others injured “following the targeting by international coalition planes.”

Sky News Arabia also reported a figure of “at least” 10 civilians, which it said were from “the same family,” and it blamed the bombardment on the international coalition – as did Hara FM which added that 23 people were injured. It described raids in residential areas that destroyed five houses, which killed “eight civilians from one family, most of them children and two from a second family” and said eight people had been transferred to Al Bab due to injuries, most of them critical.

However, the Syrian Observatory assigned blame to Turkey and put the death toll at 9 members from the same family. It said the victims were “an elderly man, 3 citizen women and 5 children” and added that others were injured and the death toll was expected to rise as some were in a “critical situation.”

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 (2)

Mahmoud Fara
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Fara's wife
Age unknown female killed

Family members (6)

Sheikho Imam's wife
Age unknown female killed
Sheikho Imam's wife
Age unknown female killed
Sheikho Imam' child 1
Child killed
Sheikho Imam' child 2
Child killed
Sheikho Imam' child 3
Child killed
Sheikho Imam' child 4
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 14
  • (4–7 children4–5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23
  • 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 Dabiq (دويبق), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.5643925, 37.2749805. 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
    37SCA456479
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Oct. 8, 2016, in Dabiq, 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. 3068/CS333 37SCA456479

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 7th-8th 2016 the Coalition reported strikes in Aleppo governorate: “Near Mar’a, one strike damaged an ISIL VBIED facility. Near Washiyah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL-held building 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
    9 – 14
  • (4–7 children4–5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23
  • 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

CS335 TS005b

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Location

تل بطال, Tall Btal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.50018, 37.43927 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 3 and 4 displaced people were reported killed in camps near Tal Btal, a village south of Ra’i in the Aleppo countryside. It was unclear whether Turkey or the Coalition was responsible.

Ramaf reported that an attack hit a camp, claiming “the lives of three martyrs and [left] more than fifteen wounded as a result of being targeted by Turkish artillery. Ramaf named the three victims.

The ISIS-controlled propaganda unit al Al A’maq Agency reported that four civilians were killed, including a girl “when two tents were targeted with an American raid.”

Only two sources reported on this incident. There are no other known details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Ma’rouf
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Sheikh Nouri
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Adel
Age unknown male killed
A female child
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tall Btal (تل بطال), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.50018, 37.43927. 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 Tal Btal, 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 October 10th-11th the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions and two vehicles.” For October 11th-12th, the Coalition reported “Near Manbij, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit” and that “Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and 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
    3 – 4
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS343 TS005C

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Location

حساجك, Hassadjek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3960003, 37.2467422 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 6 people were killed by airstrikes in the vicinity of Hassadjek village in Aleppo, though the circumstances were unclear.

Initially, Voice of Kurdistan blamed the US-led Coalition for a strike occurring around 3am, which it said left six people dead and four wounded.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian and Syrian government aircraft were not operating in the vicinity, but in a statement claimed that “Aircraft of the international coalition were performing tasks near Hassajek village at night on October 18. Air situation control systems have detected two F-16 of the Air Force of the Kingdom of Belgium at the specified time and area.” This report was quickly picked up by the Russian press, including RT.

The accusation led to a spat with Belgian authorities, who denied that their planes were involved or were nearby. In a tweet, the country’s Minister of Defense called Moscow’s assertion “Russian disinformation.” The Minister also denied the Russian account to the Belgian parliament. A spokeswoman for the Belgian ministry additionally told Airwars that “we did not fly there yesterday, nor the days before.”

A spokesperson for the Coalition told Airwars that “Contrary to what Russian media reported, there is no evidence of this incident, nor were any Belgian aircraft conducing kinetic operations at the time.”

The incident became further confused after Turkey announced it had carried out strikes on Kurdish militants in numerous locations north of Aleppo on the night of October 19th-20th. As the Syrian Observatory noted regarding the Hassadjek strikes, at the time “factions supported by Turkish warplanes and tanks,” as well as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and ISIL were all present and engaged in the area. Other local outlets, including Smart News and Izaz Media Center reported that the Syrian Democratic Forces had gained control of Hassadjek.

Among the strikes carried out on the 19th-20th, Bellingcat was able to geolocate one “very close to the village of Hassadjek,” which it noted was “the location where Russia accused Belgium of killing six civilians” on the morning of the 18th.

On October 21st, Russia called for Belgium to set up an investigation into the incident.

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 incident occured at approximately 3:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Belgium is not involved in civilian deaths Aleppo. Russian disinformation. (via Steven Vandeput - Belgium Defence Minister)
  • Analysis by Bellingcat geolocated a number of Turkish airstrikes within the vicinity of Hassadjek for the date in question.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hassadjek (حساجك), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3960003, 37.2467422. 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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA427292
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Oct. 18, 2016, in Hassadjek, 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. 3069/CS343 37SCA427292

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 17th-18th the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a vehicle.” For October 18th-19th the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.” In a statement to Airwars, the Coalition said that “there were no Belgian aircraft conducting strike operations at the time.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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

CS345 TS005d

Incident date

October 22, 2016

Location

الطويحينة, Al Tweihina, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.443611, 37.248056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes, possibly carried out by Turkish forces, killed one civilian according to one local report. Others referred only to violent clashes between non state actors.

Smart News Agency reported that “international Coalition aircraft” targeting ISIS in Al Tweihina which it said killed one civilian and two members of the terror group. However, the report identified the village as being located in Raqqa governorate.

The Syrian Observatory reported instead that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) attacked “Turkish soldiers” in the vicinity of Al Tweihina. The Observatory added that “different sources confirmed to SOHR that a number of Turkish soldiers were killed” though it may have been referencing rebels supported by Turkey. It did however allude to “aerial reconnaissance aircraft” in the area, possibly belonging to Turkey.

Tal Abiyad posted pictures and video of an armoured vehicle that it said was captured from the “al Sham Front.” (update from December 2018, this video is no longer available to view online.)

Daily Sabah meanwhile cited the Turkish military and reported that “FSA fighters with the support of the Turkish military continued to attack” Kurdish forces in the area. The report cited a number of airstrikes.

In their June 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A map highlighting that the village is in the Aleppo countryside not Raqqa countryside. It is in the bottom left corner of the area highlighted in light blue. (via Airwas researcher)
  • An armoured vehicle reportedly captured by SDF fighters from the “al Sham Front.” (via Tal Abiyad News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Tweihina (الطويحينة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.443611, 37.248056. 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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA429345
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • Oct. 22, 2016, in Tweihina, 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. 3072/CS345 37SCA429345

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported “Near Washiyah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.” For October 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, one strike destroyed an ISIL artillery system.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS350 TS005e

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Location

نعمان, Nu'man, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.46321, 37.43317 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians were killed by alleged Turkish or Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of Nu’man, according to local sources. The US-led alliance later denied conducing strikes in the vicinity on this date.

An initial report by ISIS-controlled propaganda unit Al A’amaq said that “10 civilians [were] killed in American raids on a group of fuel trucks in the village of Nu’man east of Akhtareen in the Aleppo countryside.”

A video with the Al A’amaq logo showed a large fire burning on a road, emitting deep black smoke. Shaam News Network cited Al A’amaq, but added context, reporting that rebels were approaching the village, which Al Jisr TV (in a separate report) said was still under the control of ISIS. A reporter for Al Jisr, which also cited A’aq’s casualty cllaims, said it wasn’t clear if the village was now in the hands of the terror group or other forces.

Turk Press, while reporting two “international coalition forces” strikes on Nu’man (without providing a date) also reported that the “Turkish army targeted 174 sites” belonging to ISIS and Kurdish rebels in “northern Syria” as part of Operation Euphrates Shield.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the alleged Turkish and/ or Coalition airstrikes on Nu'man, 26th October 2016. Images of burning trucks are from an al A’maq propaganda video, which is no longer available. (via Jisr TV)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Nu’man (نعمان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.46321, 37.43317. 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 Nu'man, 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 October 25th-26th, the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a fighting position.” For October 26th-27th, the Coalition reported no strikes in the area.

Danish Military
  • English
    /
    Original

In the past week, Denmark report carrying out 12 missions in missions in the Iraqi provinces of Salah Ad Din, At Ta’mim, Irbil, Dahuk and Nineweh and the Syrian governorates of Ar Raqqah, Aleppo, Al Hasakah and Dayr Az Zawr. They report dropping 10 precision bombs with attacks on Daesh buildings, vehicles, personnel, communications facilities and sites manufacturing IEDS

‘Mission Update nr. 19 Opdatering fra de danske styrker i internationale missioner. 27-10-2016 – kl. 13:54 Af Værnsfælles Forsvarskommando Operation Inherent Resolve – Irak og Tyrkiet Kampflybidraget Kampflybidraget deltager fortsat i kampene om Mosul. De danske F-16 kampfly har i den seneste uge gennemført 12 missioner. Der er blevet udført overvågning og efterretningsindhentning. Derudover er der udført angreb på bygninger og køretøjer med ISIL personel, personel i terræn, kommunikationsfaciliteter og faciliteter der fremstillede improviserede sprængladninger. Missionerne er foregået over de irakiske provinser Salah Ad Din, At Ta’mim , Erbil, Dahuk og Ninawa samt de syriske provinser Ar Raqqah, Halab, Al Hasakah og Dayr Az Zawr. Fra onsdag den 19. oktober klokken 1200 til onsdag den 26. oktober klokken 1200 er følgende gældende: Der er fløjet 12 missioner Der er anvendt 10 præcisionsbomber Der er totalt fløjet 202 missioner Der er totalt anvendt 298 præcisionsbomber Radarbidraget Bidraget udfører en vigtig rolle i koalitionens kamp om befrielsen af Mosul, idet bidraget forestår lufttankning af mange af de fly, der er på vej til området. Transportflybidraget Efter en længere travl periode, hvor der er transporteret 60 ton gods og 76 passagerer til Tyrkiet og internt i Irak, er det blevet tid til at vedligeholde flyet, mens de kommende missioner planlægges. Operation Ocean Shield – Seychellerne Challenger-bidraget til Operation Ocean Shield har siden den 19. oktober opereret fra Seychellerne med henblik på at gennemføre antipirateri-flyvning i Det Indiske Ocean ud for Somalia. Det er sidste gang, Danmark deltager i Operation Ocean Shield, da missionen slutter ved udgangen af 2016. Bidraget deltager til og med den 19. november. Resolute support – Afghanistan De to danske sygeplejersker på Role 2 hospitalet på basen ved Hamid Karzai International Airport i Kabul hjalp til da fem sårede ved Camp Morehead blev bragt til hospitalet. Standing Nato Maritime Group 1 Støtteskibet Absalon er returneret til Middelhavet efter at have afsluttet sin deltagelse i øvelse Joint Warrior ved Skotland. Absalon vil i den resterende del af oktober og størstedelen af november forventeligt være i Middelhavet. Det er fortsat planen, at skib og besætning skal returnere til Danmark primo december i år.’

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS352 TS005f

Incident date

October 29, 2016

Location

الجطل, Al Jatal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5781778, 37.7233572 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one person was killed by alleged Coalition raids in the vicinity of al Jatal, according to sparse local reports. However a Turkish assault on the village was also reported at the time.

Halab News named one male victim who it also said was a victim of “coalition raids.”

The only other specific report was from a Twitter user named Samran al A’anzi, who said that 4 civilians died during “international coalition raids on Al Jatal.” Other reports indicated the Turkish army, or Turkish-backed forces, were operating in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim al A’roude
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Local Islamists posted photographs they said showed 'the repelling of the storming by the apostate Turkish army on al Jatal village west of al Ghandoura town.' (via blog which has since been blocked)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Jatal (الجطل), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.5781778, 37.7233572. 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 A'rīma, 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 October 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported no strikes in the area. For October 24th-25th, the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions, a mortar system, and 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
    1 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS006 CS364

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Location

قرية قباسين, Al Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4376286, 37.5692885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One named civilian male was reported by both Halab News Network and the Violations Documentation Centre as having been killed by ‘Coalition’ strikes or shelling at Al Qabasin, Syria.

However Turkish forces and their FSA allies may also have been responsible, according to other local reports. TR Diplomacy tweeted a map on the 7th, reporting that the Turkish military were fighting just north of al-Qabasin at the time of this incident.

The US-led alliance later denied responsibility for the event, noting: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

There are no other known details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A map issued by the Turkish military November 7th showing its forces to be fighting just north of al-Qabasin. (via TR Diplomacy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Qabasin (قرية قباسين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.4376286, 37.5692885. 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 Qabasin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 6th-7th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Raqqa, but reported “Near Ayn Isa, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIL tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, five vehicles, two VBIEDs, and a communications node”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS007 CS371

Incident date

November 13, 2016

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

One or two civilians were reported killed and three injured in ‘Coalition’ strikes on Al Bab. However, other reports claimed that Turkey and its FSA allies may have been responsible.

Sky News reported that Turkish tanks were advancing on Al Bab, while France 24 described Turkish airstrikes on the city. Reporting casualties, Halab News said “an unidentified man and woman were killed, following coalition raids on al Bab and they are civilians from the town.”

All 4 Syria said that both the Coalition and Turkey conducted strikes on the city: “Extensive Turkish air strikes in Al Bab destroyed four buildings and a car used by IS while coalition carried out six airstrikes and killed ten IS fighters. However, Al Amaq reported the death of a civilian and three others wounded due to Turkish tank bombardment.”

ISIS’s media wing also reported civilian casualties, initially noting “one dead and three civilians injured – one of them in a critical condition – following Turkish artillery bombardment of the city of Al Bab in the Aleppo countryside.” It also reported US airstrikes alongside Turkish artillery attacks.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ 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.

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

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 November 12th-13th, the Coalition reported no strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]