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

TS047 CS441

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

بزاعة , Beza’a city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3829071, 37.56666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians including two children from the same family died in an airstrike on Beza’a city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition.

Aleppo Media Center reported that “the child Hamdo al Bakir and an entire family made up of seven people” died following Turkish raids.

LCCSY instead said that civilians died as result of Turkish bombing on the city, as did Micro Syria. Sawa_sawanews  also blamed Turkey, putting the death toll at nine.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the Coalition. It said that “at least seven civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Beza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, January 12, 2017, SNHR has yet to verify the news.” Al Amawi news also attrubited blame to the Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Daughter of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Child female named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Mohammad, son of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Abd al Jawwad Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al HadathBrother of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i killed
Hamdo al Bakir
Child male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • "The death of Hamdou al-Bakir and a whole family of seven people in the town of Bazaa in the eastern Aleppo countryside following Turkish air strikes targeting the region on Thursday." (via AleppoAMC)
  • Abd al Jawwad Yassin, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)
  • Mohammad the son of Abd al SAttar and a child, the daughter of Abd al Sattar, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)
  • Abd al Sattar Yassin, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beza’a city ( بزاعة ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3829071, 37.56666. 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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Fir Jan 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: "Near Manbij, two strikes damaged a vehicle and a mortar system."

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS067

Incident date

January 28, 2017

Location

تل بطنان, Tal Btan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.395556, 37.538889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes near Tal Btan, according to sources on the ground.

LCCSY wrote: “Eight dead in Aleppo, most of them killed by the Turkish jets during their escape from Alban to Tal Btan village.”

There is currently no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 Tal Btan (تل بطنان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.395556, 37.538889. 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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS416 TS024

Incident date

December 16, 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

Between eleven and 15 civilians were reported killed in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) action at al Bab.

According to LCCSY eleven civilians died, “most of them killed in Coalition raids on al Bab.”However, the source had consistently denied civilian harm from Turkish actions during the al-Bab campaign.

Al Bab News reported “more than 15 dead most of them women and children and dozens injured as a result of the bombardment on al Bab yesterday. There are families still under the rubble and the rescue operations are underway.”

However ISIS’s media wing reported “intense raids with more than 15 Turkish air raids and 180 shells falling on al Bab in the Aleppo countryside since dawn today.” And the Syrian Observatory reported that “Turkish warplanes bombed areas on the outskirts of al-Bab city which is under the control of the “Islamic State” northeast of Aleppo province, amid clashes in several places in the area between members of the organisation against the factions of Euphrates Shield supported by Turkish forces, which caused casualties.”

The Syrian Network suggested Free Syrian Army (FSA) or Turkish artillery may also have been responsible: “Three civilians from the same family including a child died in Der’ Al Furat forces, supported by Turkish forces, artillery fired shells on Al Bab city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, December 16, 2016.”

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 for Coalition caused civcas.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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]

  • Khaled Shaban reports more than 150 shells fired and 15 air raids targeting al Bab allegedly by Turkish forces and allied militias since dawn. 16th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)
  • Jahra online reports Turkish army declarations that they had destroyed 60 Daesh targets near al Bab amid accusations of killing civilians. 16th December 2016. (via Jahra)

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 15th-17th 2016 the Coalition has publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity.

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.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

TS508

Incident date

May 17, 2022

Location

قرية قرطاج, Qartage village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.388201, 38.862774 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians, four children and a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish artillery shelling of the village of Qartage in Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022.

Hawar News documented the names of the woman and the four children that were injured in the Turkish artillery shelling on Qartage farm south of Ain Issa. The woman’s name is Na’aima al-Mudhi and her children are Katala Ali al-Hamoud (6 years old), Manhal Ali al-Hamoud (9 years old), A’azra Ali Al-Hamoud (10 years old) and Hayel Ali al-Hamoud (12 years old).

A medical source from the National Hospital in Raqqa told North Press Agency that “one of the children was diagnosed with Hemiplegia, a condition caused by brain damage or spinal cord injury that leads to paralysis on one side of the body”. Muhammad al-Ayed, a neurosurgeon at the Raqqa National Hospital, said that the 13-year-old child, Hayel Muhammad, was hit by a shrapnel that entered his back and ended in his abdomen, causing him to lose the ability to walk. Although it has been removed by surgery, it caused significant damage to the child’s spine. The other civilians injured, the children and their mother, are in stable condition.

Hawar News’ correspondent added that “the mother and her children were nomads, and they were in their tent near a Russian base”. All of the injured members of the family “were transferred to the dispensary of the town of Tal al-Samn, south of the district, and as a result of the severe and critical injuries, they were transferred again to National Hospital in the city of Raqqa”.

Arna Hammoud, 50, the aunt of the injured children, told North Press Agency that the Turkish shelling hit the tents that they had taken as homes and that the family had been working as shepherds and had been living in the tent that was shelled for a week. “The Turkish shelling directly targeted our tents; we tried to escape but my brother’s family was injured anyway” she said.

North Press Agency reported that in addition to the bombing that resulted in wounded civilians, Turkish forces bombed several villages,  Al-Shirkarak, Mulaq, Jabal, Fatsa, Skairo, Ain Issa camp and the international road “M4”, in the countryside of Ain Issa with heavy weapons, mortar and artillery shells. The bombings also caused material damage to the property of residents.

The village that housed the injured family, Qartage, is located 5km away from Ain Issa and hosts dozens of IDPs from Tel Abyad, according to North Press Agency.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey and North Press Agency specifically identified the source of the bombing to be the Turkish bases in the adjacent villages, inside Syrian territory.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

35 years old female injured

Summary

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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • “#SOHR camera” captures artillery fire by Turkish forces on areas in #Ain_Issa district, the capital of the Autonomous Administration in the northern countryside of #Al_Raqqah
  • Family in Raqqa National Hospital after they were hit by a Turkish shelling on Ain Issa – North Press
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press Center)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qartage (قرية قرطاج), allegedly located south of Ain Issa (عين عيسى‎) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ain Issa are: 36.388201, 38.862774.

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
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS539

Incident date

August 6, 2022

Location

الصناعة, Al-Sina'a neighborhood in Qamishli, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.056502, 41.246509 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, including two children, were killed and at least two others were injured in an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in the Al Sina’a neighborhood of Qamishli on August 6, 2022.

Hawar News reported that a car exploded in Al-Sinaa neighborhood in Qamishli after being stuck by a Turkish drone near the “Hasko Gas Station”. One of the civilians killed is the child Ahmed Ali Hassan, 16 years old, while the civilian Ali Hassan was injured, and he was transferred to Al-Rahma Hospital in Qamishli city to receive treatment.

Qamishlo Event shared on Facebook names of two other civilian victims killed: Ahmed Ali Shebi and Ahnk Akram Shebi. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) identified the two children killed, Ahmed and Ahnk Shebi, as being brothers while ENKS stated that they were cousins, working in the industrial zone.

Ezdina’s correspondent reported that three of the victims were identified as the child Ahmed Ali Shebi and Ahnak Akram Shaibi who is in his twenties, and they are relatives from the al-Antariya neighborhood in the center of Qamishli. The correspondent also identified Al-Madani Ali Hassan, the father of the child Ahmed Hassan, as being wounded, in addition to another person seriously injured and others that suffering minor injuries.

ENKS added the name Mazloum Asaad as another person killed in the strikes. A Facebook post from Tigris – the Syrian island specified that Mazloum was from Amuda and was in the military police.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified a car explosion in Al-Sina’a Al-Qadima (old industrial) area at Kaziyah Hasko, resulting in the death of one person and the injury of at least three others. SOHR later revised their toll to four people killed, including two children and two unidentified people believed to belong to the SDF. However, other local sources, including Ezdina, referred to all three people killed as civilians.

According to a Facebook post by Ehmed şihab, four people were killed, including two children, and two civilians were injured and were in critical condition. ENKS also identified four “citizens” as being killed and that vehicle struck was a H100 car, causing material damage to the shops near the place of the explosion.

The Democratic Union Party (PYD) released a statement regarding the attack, saying “On August 6, 2022, a drone of the Turkish occupation state targeted a car in the Sinaa neighborhood, resulting in 4 people being martyred, 2 of whom were children, and the injury of some others…The flying of planes of the Turkish occupation army in the airspace of Syria violates international agreements.” The majority of other sources also attributed the incident to Turkish drones.

The incident occured at 18:21:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Ali Shebi أحمد علي شيبي
Child male from Al-Antariya neighborhood killed
Ahnk Akram Shebi آهنك أكرم شيبي
Adult male in his 20s, from Al-Antariya neighborhood killed

Family members (2)

Ahmed Ali Hassan أحمد حسن
16 years old killed
Al-Madani Ali Hassan المدني علي حسن
Father of Ali injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • People gather around the site of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Blood from victims of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Blood from victims of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Blood from victims of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • People gather around the site of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • People gather around the site of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Explosion caused by an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Step Agency)
  • Damage caused by an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Hotnews24 via Facebook)
  • People gather around the site of an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Ezdina)
  • Mazloum Asaad, identified as being in the military police, was killed by an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in Qamishli on August 6, 2022. (Image posted by Tigris - the Syrian island)
  • Ahnak Akram Hassan, allegedly killed by Turkish drone on August 6th 2022 (Image via @Tactica1Arms / Twitter)
  • People hold photos of the two children who were killed in an alleged Turkish drone strike on August 6th 2022 (Image via @EverydaySyria / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al-Sina’a (الصناعة), within the city of Qamishli (القامشلي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.056502, 41.246509. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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
    2 – 4
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS568

Incident date

November 21, 2022

Location

بينة, Ibbin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.46599, 36.99337 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two people were reported “slightly” injured and tens of sheep were reportedly killed by Turkish shelling in Ibbin village, Sherawa district in Afrin, Syria on November 21st 2022.

According to North Press Agency and ANHA between 20 to 35 sheep were killed which were owned by Walida Hamadi.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Up to 35 sheep were reportedly killed by a Turkish missile on a village in Afrin on November 21st 2022 (Image via ANHA English)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ibbin (بينة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.46599, 36.99337. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS613

Incident date

July 22, 2023

Location

عزمارين, Azmarin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.055887, 36.401023 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 22nd July 2023, two civilians were reportedly injured by gunfire from Turkish border forces on the Syrian-Turkish border near the village of Azmarin, Harem in Western Idlib.

The North Press reported that both Manaf Azaddin and Yamen al-Sufarani were injured when attempting to cross the border, one in the morning and the other in the evening. The source added that the two injured Syrians were detained by the Turkish border guards, “and what followed is unknown.”

15 other civilians, including six women and their children, were allegedly detained in the two crossing attempts with their personal data and eye prints logged to prevent their entry.

This version of events was reported by several news outlets, including Shaba Al Hadath and Ronahi TV conforming to the narrative provided by the North Press.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Manaf Azaddin مناف عز الدين
Age unknown injured
Yamen al-Sufarani were injured يامن السفراني
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 Azmarin (عزمارين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.055887, 36.401023. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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

TS647

Incident date

October 9, 2023

Location

البشرية, the village of Al-Bashiriya, al-Hasakah, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

In the morning hours of Monday, October 9th, 2023, at least five civilians, including four women and a child, were injured by an alleged Turkish bombardment while working in cotton fields in the village of Al-Bashiriya located in the Al-Darbasiyah district of Al-Hasakah in northeastern Syria.

According to the Hawar news agency and Aso news, the injured women – Raksa Saleh Fawaz (50 years old), Khadija Eidan al-Qamar (40 years old), Farah Adnan (25 years old), Zeina Hammoud (20 years old), and Jumana Hammad (12 years old), –  were taken to a hospital in Darbasiya district, and then to hospitals in Hasakah city to receive treatment. According to a medical source at Al-Shaab Hospital, Raksa Saleh Fawaz was seriously injured in the head and hand, Khadija Eidan Al-Qamar was injured in the abdomen, Farah Adnan was subjected to amputation of her legs, Zeina Hammoud was injured in the thigh, and the girl Jumana Hammad was injured by scattered shrapnel in the back.

Farah Adnan, who lost her legs in this attack, shared her grievances to Human Rights Organization “Afrin”: “Hello world, my name is Farah, and I was picking cotton with my mother when Turkey bombed us. As a result, I lost my legs, and I cannot walk and play anymore.”

Omer Hassan shared an image of Farah in the hospital where her injuries can be seen. According to him, among the injured was also Farah’s mother.

Another injured woman, Khadija Eidan al-Tamr, commented to Hawar news:  “We are female workers who work in the cotton harvest in the village of Al-Bashiriya, east of Zarkan district, and in the morning hours, Turkish aircraft bombed the area, and as a result, she and my friends at work were injured.”

Hawar news, Facebook user Qamishlo and other sources shared the images of the injured women being treated at the hospital. An elderly woman Raksa Saleh Fawaz  in a green dress is seen crying in the images while her head is bandaged.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claimed that the number of the injured civilians was eight rather than five, and children are among the victims. However, it did not provide any further details.

Where the sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Turkish military. However, the sources differed regarding the nature of the strike – Rafidain news and Hawar news alleged that that was an airstrike, Athar press, Derbiseye Facebook account claimed that was an artillery bombardment.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Rakza Saleh Fawaz ركزة صالح فواز
50 years old female injured
Khadija Eidan Al-Qamar خديجة عيدان القمر
40 years old female injured
Farah Adnan فرح عدنان
25 years old female injured
Zeina Hammoud زينة حمود
20 years old female injured
Jumana Hammad جمانة حماد
12 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Tal Tamer facebook
  • Source: Nudem facebook
  • Source: Nudem facebook
  • Source: Nudem facebook
  • Source: Nudem facebook
  • Source: Nudem facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Qamishlo facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Qamishlo facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Qamishlo facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Qamishlo facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Deir Ezzor updates facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nudem facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nudem facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nudem facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hawar News
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omer Hassan facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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 infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]