Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

TS618

Incident date

July 30, 2023

Location

قرية تل اللبن, Tal Al-Laban village, Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured and civilian property was damaged by heavy artillery shelling in Tal Al-Laban Village in the Tal Tamr countryside of Northwestern Syria on July 30, 2023. The attack is alleged to have been carried out by Turkish military personnel.

The three civilians injured were named by Hawar News as Omar Sadiq Sheikh Ali, Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Mayyouf, and Ahmed Ali Muhammad. The civilians were reported by Radio Arta to have been in a car belonging to a civilian construction contactor when the shells hit, though after being taken to Martyr Likrin Hospital the three men were discharged with ‘light’ injuries after receiving first aid. It is unclear to what extent the damage was to local civilian property during this attack.

All of the sources attributed the shelling to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (8) [ collapse]

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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS651

Incident date

October 20, 2023

Location

قرية الشيخ عيسى, Sheikh Esa,  the Al-Shahba area, Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Friday, October 20th, 2023, an alleged Turkish artillery shelling in the village of Sheikh Esa, located in the Al-Shahba area in the northern countryside of Aleppo, injured a young man.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the 22-year-old man, named as Ali Radwan Ahmed, was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries suffered on his arm. ANF news shared an image where his injured arm can be seen.

Sources disclosed that the injury was a part of Turkish shelling across the Al-Shaba District, whilst others reported that the artillery was directed at the Shirawa District, where Kurdish forces are currently deployed.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Turkish military.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Radwan Ahmed علي رضوان احمد
22 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ANF 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
    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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS150

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Location

شيرا, Shyra, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.496944, 36.598333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a report shared with Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent named one civilian as wounded in Shyra, Syria.

The victim was listed as “Dalil Youssef Ali, 26, spine injury”.

The weapons used has not been reported.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dalil Youssef Ali
26 years old male 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 town of Shyra, Afrin, Aleppo (شيرا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.496944, 36.598333. 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]

Incident Code

TS181

Incident date

February 10, 2018

Location

حج جمال, Haj Jammal, Mosaka, Kurre, Shadia and Bleeka villages, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.631473, 36.603298 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Military Council for Manbij reported that “in the past 24 hours, the villages of Haj Jamal, Musaka, Kurrê, Shadia and Blilka were the target of the indiscriminate invasion of Turkish warplanes targeting civilian houses. There are fears of civilians under the rubble of these villages. The traffic in the air prevents the arrival of ambulance teams to these villages and the removal of the bodies of civilians and wounded from the rubble.”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 village of Haj Jammal, Mosaka, Kurre, Shadia and Bleeka villages, Afrin (حج جمال), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.631473, 36.603298. 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
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS091

Incident date

August 24, 2017

Location

ام حوش, Um Hawsh village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.411111, 37.212778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two men were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Umm Hawsh in Aleppo, local media reported.

According to SDF Press, “Ahmed Hussein Hamdoun, aged 20, and Mu’taz al-Hussein, aged 15, were wounded in various parts of their bodies by shrapnel from the shells that fell near them while they were traveling from Deir Jamal to Um Hawash village. They were transferred to Afrin Hospital in Afrin and are in a stable condition”.

Dlo_jawish also reported that two young men were injured in Turkish shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Hussein Hamdoun
20 years old male injured
Mu'taz al-Hussein
15 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Um Hawsh village (ام حوش), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.411111, 37.212778. 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
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS299

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Location

القحطانية, Kel Hesnak, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.975184, 42.245577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reported injured as a result of an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Kel Hesnak village in Hasakah, October 9th 2019, according to local media.

ANHA reported: “The bombing of the city center continued and four civilians were injured. Injured civilians were hospitalized.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rojin Mohammad Hani روجين محمد هاني
18 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Kel Hesnak (القحطانية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.975184, 42.245577. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS334

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

تل أبيض, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.690203, 38.947563 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it had “documented the death of 3 civilians by the Turkish ground shelling that targeted Tal Abyad area”.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Abyad (تل أبيض), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.690203, 38.947563. 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
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS354

Incident date

October 17, 2019

Location

غرب, Alia, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.611118, 40.104561 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

NPA tweeted: “Five injured have arrived at the hospital in Tal Tamr, northwest of Hassakah, as a result of the Turkish warplanes bombing on the village of Aliya south of the city of Ras al-Ain/Sere Kaniyeh this morning [Oct 17th].”

No further details are currently available.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bashar Ahmad Khalef
19 years old male According to KRC injured
Muhammad Emin
13 years old male According to KRC injured
Kawa mahmoud
45 years old male According to KRC injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Alia (غرب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.611118, 40.104561. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]