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

TS472

Incident date

August 23, 2021

Location

الدردارة, Al Dardarah , Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.743148, 41.842804 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, including a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of al-Dardarah village on August 23, 2021.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “a young man and a woman were injured due to Turkish bombardment on al-Dardarah village”.

Nabd News provided the names of the civilians injured: Amena Al Faris (21 years), and Khidr al-Fars (39 years)”.

In addition to the injuries, houses in the village sustained material damage.

Nabd News added that the two civilians were “lightly wounded” and that their health condition was stable following treatment and discharge from the hospital they were being treated at, the Martyr Legarin Hospital in the town of Tel Tamr.

All of the sources attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

39 years old injured

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Dardarah (الدردارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.743148, 41.842804. 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
  • 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

TS504

Incident date

May 9, 2022

Location

منبجالمحسنلي, Mihsenli village, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.649167, 37.883056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in alleged Turkish shelling and/or strikes on Mihsenli village in northern Manbij on May 9, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a civilian was injured when Turkish forces shelled rural Manbij. A statement released by the Media Office of the Manbij Military Council reported that the civilian was injured in Mihsenli village in northern Manbij and he was transferred to the hospital for treatment.

Xeber24 added that Turkish forces used “heavy and medium weapons” in their attack on Mihsenli village. 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
    Airstrike and/or 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
    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 Mihsenli (المحسنلي), for which the generic coordinates are:36.649167, 37.883056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

TS536

Incident date

July 30, 2022

Location

لم الخير, Umm Al Khair, Al-Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.631647, 40.256996 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least seven and up to ten civilians, including women and children, were reported injured in an alleged Turkish bombardment targeting Umm Al Khair village, in the countryside of Tal Tamr, in Al-Hassakah, Syria, on July 30th 2022.

According to ANHA, the names and ages of those injured are as followed:  “Laila Omar Saleh, 4 years old, was subjected to shrapnel in the face, Juri Omar Saleh, 25 years old, was subjected to shrapnel in the hand, and Ahmed Muhammad Al-Mohammed, 60 years old, sustained injuries all over his body and his health condition is critical. A year-old was subjected to shrapnel in the abdomen and another in the chest, Hilwa Ezzo Awad, 63 years old, was subjected to shrapnel in the chest, Naim Muhammad Wazou, 30 years old, who was bruised, Nawras Hamid Antar, 25 years old, was bruised and Safa Ahmed Ali, 25 years old, from Umm al-Khair village, her health condition is stable.” Other names not reported by ANHA were Omar Hussein Diab and Nofa Alawi Al-Ali, aged 60 years old.

Local sources reported that the Internal Security Forces announced that seven civilians were injured. In the aftermath, North Press Agency reported that this rose to nine.  Most other local sources, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that ten civilians were injured as the final number. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that in addition, one Syrian regime soldier had been injured too.

North Press Agency reported that People’s Hospital in Al-Hassakah recieved three wounded civilians, Nofa, Halwa and Ahmad. Ahmad had fracture in his right humerus and shrapnel in the ambomen, and was reported to be in a critical condition.

Halwa Al-Awad said, “we were in our village, sleeping on the rooftop, and all of a sudden, the shelling started hitting us.” She told the North Press Agency that the bombardment was not targeting any military positions, but “only civilians.”

North Press Agency reported that the town of Tel Tamr has been under attack by the Turkish military and its affiliated armed opposition faction, known as the Syrian National Army (SNA) for more than two years.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Laila Omar Saleh
4 years old female injured
Juri Omar Saleh
25 years old injured
Ahmed Muhammad Al-Mohammed
60 years old male injured
Hilwa Ezzo Awad
63 years old male injured
Naim Muhammad Wazou
30 years old male injured
Safa Ahmed Ali
25 years old
Omar Hussein Diab
Age unknown male
Nofa Alawi Al-Ali
60 years old

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • North Press Agency reported that three of the injured arrived in the People's Hospital in Al-Hassakah on July 30th 2022 (Image via NPA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Umm Al Khair (لم الخير), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.631647, 40.256996. 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
    7–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS563

Incident date

November 3, 2022

Location

تل حلف, Tal Halaf, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.8237138, 40.0378232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A nine year old girl was killed when an alleged Turkish armored vehicle ran her over in the village of Tal Halaf on November 3, 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a girl was killed when she was run over by a Turkish vehicle in the village of Tal Halaf.

A local source told North Press Agency that a Turkish armored vehicle ran over a nine year old girl named Naranj Suleiman Al-Hafiz, near the roundabout of the town of Tal Halaf, while she was on her way to the Sharia Institute. The local source added that the Turkish vehicle did not help the girl, who died on the way to the hospital. Vedeng News added that the incident occurred at 8:30 in the morning.

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

The incident occured at 08:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Naranj Suleiman Al-Hafiz
9 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Naranj Suleiman Al-Hafiz, 9 years old, killed by a Turkish armored vehicle in Tal Halaf on November 3, 2022. (Image posted by Baladi News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Halaf (تل حلف), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.8237138, 40.0378232. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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

TS596

Incident date

May 18, 2023

Location

الخاروفية, Al Kharofiya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.409744, 37.900613 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly man was killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Al-Kharofiya village on May 18, 2023.

A local source told a North Press Agency correspondent that a civilian was killed when a vehicle close to him on the road was struck by a drone. The source also provided the name of the civilian killed: Abd al-Wahhab al-Muhammad al-Haj Hamidi (70 years old) from Al-Kharofiya village.

The Syrian Democratic Forces Press Center published a statement with similar details, adding that the drone strike on a civilian car occurred at exactly 6:30pm and despite medical intervention, Abd died from his injuries. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the Turkish drone executed two strikes on a military car of the woman’s protection units, and the civilian was injured (and later died of his injuries) by shrapnel when he was trying to help those injured in the vehicle. The earlier strike left two military members injured, according to SOHR.

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

The incident occured at 18:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Wahhab al-Muhammad al-Haj Hamidi عبد الوهاب المحمد الحج حميدي
70 years old male killed

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Car struck by alleged Turkish drones on May 18, 2023. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Kharofiya (الخاروفية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.409744, 37.900613. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS628

Incident date

September 6, 2023

Location

قرية طحمة, Tahna village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three children were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Tahna village on September 6, 2023. At the time of reporting, all three children were in the intensive care unit in serious condition.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three children from the same family were seriously injury by Turkish shelling of Tahna village and were taken to Al-Barkal hospital in Manbij city for treatment.

ANF reported the names of the children injured according to hospital records: Weam Al-Jassem (15 years old), Ibrahim Al-Jassem (12 years old), and Jalal Al-Jassem (14 years old).

The administrator and assistant surgeon at Al-Barkal Hospital, Ahmed Al-Ali, told ANF that two of the children’s were opened because of the presence of shrapnel, and two of the children had their spleens removed. He also said The first child, Weam Al-Jassem, has an injury to the kidney and stomach and had his spleen removed. The other child, Jalal Al-Jassem, has the same injuries, but his kidney is more damaged. There is a possibility that we will remove it within the next 24 hours, but now we are waiting in the hope that it will return to work and if it stops completely. The third child, Ibrahim Al-Jassem, was subjected to a chest explosion due to a bad wind.”

News of north and east of Syria posted on Facebook that the medical staff treating the children said “We are making efforts to save their lives.”

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Weam Al-Jassem وئام الجاسم
15 years old injured
Ibrahim Al-Jassem إبراهيم الجاسم
12 years old injured
Jalal Al-Jassem جلال الجاسم
14 years old injured

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Children being treated for serious injuries following alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Tahna on September 6, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

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
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS106

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Location

شيرا, Shera, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.617500, 36.936944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that four civilians were injured in the vicinity of Shera in Afrin canton.

Injured civilians were named in a report shared with Airwars.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saed Mussa
Adult male leg injury, named in a report shared with Airwars injured
Muhammad Horro
Adult male leg injury, named in a report shared with Airwars injured
Khayri Darwesh
Adult male shock, named in a report shared with Airwars injured
Unidentified woman
Adult female named in a report shared with Airwars killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Shera (شيرا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.617500, 36.936944. 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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English

Incident Code

TS169

Incident date

February 9, 2018

Location

جولاق, Jolak, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.391667, 36.693056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, named SotKurdistan, reported that a “70-year-old Issa Bakkar Issa was injured in the Turkish bombardment of the city centre of Jolak town in Jandarsa”, Syria.

There are no other known details relating to this allegation at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Issa Bakkar Issa
70 years old injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 district of Jolak, Jindires, Afrin (جولاق), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.391667, 36.693056. 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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]