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

TS580

Incident date

December 17, 2022

Location

رقاص, Raqas, Al-Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.693096, 38.950612 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 17th 2022, at least three civilians, including a child, were reportedly killed and between one to three were injured by a Turkish drone strike on a group of civilians in Raqas village, in Tel Abyad district, Al-Raqqa province. The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces said the incident occurred at 1:30 p.m.

Sources identified the child killed as Wesi Muhammad Wesi, 10-12 years old. SOHR claimed that the strike targeted a car driving by a SDF military position. Only SOHR mentionned “information about the death of an unidentified fourth person”, without further precisions. ANHA added that in total, three were killed and one injured. Sources recorded between one to three injured. The injured were taken to hospitals in Al-Raqqa city for treatment.

The incident occured at approximately 1:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Wesi Muhammad Wesi ويسي محمد ويسي
10-12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The child identified as Wesi Muhammad Wesi reportedly killed by a Turkish strike on December 17th 2022 in Raqas village. Photo: ANHA عربية
  • Image following a reported Turkish drone strike on December 17th 2022 in Raqas village. Photo: NPA

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Raqas (رقاص), allegedly located north-west of Tell Abyad (تل ابيض). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tell Abyad are: 36.693096, 38.950612.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS610

Incident date

July 9, 2023

Location

جورين, Jurin, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.616010, 36.269336 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 9th July 2023, up to three civilians were reportedly injured and a member of the regime forces were killed by an artillery strike allegedly carried out by the factions of the ‘Al-Fateh Al-Mubin’ operations room, a Turkish-based militia, in the town of Jurin, located in Sahl Al-Ghab in the western countryside of Hama.

The Syrian Arab Army reported on the death of one of its soldiers and identified that three individuals were injured, but only documented one civilian among the injured. Simultaneously, a report from Sahl Al-Ghab News aligns with this narrative, but suggests that one civilian was injured and three others were injured, seeming to refer to the others as militants. Whilst, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights documented the death of a regime soldier and the injury of three civilians.

According to the Syrian Arab Army, the regime responded to the incident by using missiles in the city of Jisr al-Shughur.

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
    1–3
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • #Hama: A soldier was killed and 3 others, including a civilian, were injured, as a result of rocket shells fired by terrorists at the direction of the town of #Jourin in the Al-Ghab Plain in the western countryside of Hama, and they were transferred to the Suqaylabiyah National Hospital. In response to the bombing, the Syrian Arab Army is targeting terrorist groups with missiles in the range

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jurin (جورين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.616010, 36.269336. 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
    1–3
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS641

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

قرية جورين, Jurin village, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

On October 5, shelling by militants affiliated with Turkish forces of the town of Jurin in the western Syrian countryside near Hama killed two civilians, including a child, and injured at least one other, a woman.

One outlet, Al Ghab news, shared a photo of what appears to be the child killed in the attack, identified as seven-year-old Haidar Amer, in school, and another of him smiling. A Facebook post from Sahel Alghab also identified the man Reda Deeb Abu Muhammad as having been killed by the shelling. Reda was initially reported as injured, along with his wife, and they were taken to Al-Suqaylabiyah National Hospital, where Reda died of his wounds.

Shame FM reported that “two civilians were injured” by the shelling.

According to Facebook account Protectors of pulse and soul, the shelling also caused material damage to homes and property.

Al Muharer News and Military Correspondent attributed the missile shelling to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, while Almoharar Media Network blamed the National Front for Libration – both groups are affiliated with Turkish forces. Multiple locations claimed the shelling was in response to shelling by the Syrian regime forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Reda Deeb رضا ديب
Adult male killed
Wife of Reda Deeb
Adult female injured

The victims were named as:

Haidar Amer Jurieh حيدر عامر جورية
7 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Assad regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Ghab News

  • 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Assad regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS153

Incident date

February 3, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to Afrin Now, “67-year-old Issa Issa was wounded by shrapnel in the head as a result of the Turkish bombardment of the Jandiers area.

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent also named Issa Issa as wounded – and a second man, Hassan Mustafa, aged 90, who was reportedly sustained a head and hand injury.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Issa Issa
67 years old male injured
Hassan Mustafa
90 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Issa 'Issa, wounded in the head by shrapnel following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Jindires, Afrin, 3rd February 2018. (via Afrin Now)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo (جنديرس), 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
    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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS291

Incident date

August 5, 2019

Location

برج القاص, Burj al-Qas, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.366537, 36.94052 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly injured in a Turkish airstrike on Burj al-Qas.

ANF said: “Turkish invasion army has bombed the villages of Birc Qas and Mezin in Afrin’s Sherawa district this morning.

A civilian by the name of Munzur, whose last name couldn’t be learned, was killed in the attack which also left 35 years old woman Şehida Nebo and her father Nebo Mamo injured.”

War Correspondent-Journalists published a similar report.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Şehida Nebo
35 years old female Daughter injured
Nebo Mamo
Adult male Father injured

The victims were named as:

Munzur
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Burj al-Qas (برج القاص), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.366537, 36.94052. 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS325

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

كركي زيرا, Girkê Zîra, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.065985, 41.385284 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two named civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Girke Zera, Qamishli, sources reported.

@ HiwaDilan_71 tweeted: The occupation of the Turkish state in Qamishlo’s neighborhoods and villages continues unabated. Newaf and Fehed Ali, brothers, were wounded in the attacks on Girkê Zîra village in the east of Qamişlo”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Newaf Ali
40 years old male injured
Fehed Ali
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Girkê Zîra (كركي زيرا), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.065985, 41.385284. 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
  • 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

TS305B

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

أشميا, Ashmia, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.876248, 38.107721 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike or artillery strike on Ashmia village in Kobane – Aleppo governorate on October 10th, 2019 according to local sources (Kurdish Red Crescent).

The injured civilian was named as Shahin Omar Kersh – Age unknown.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shahin Omar Kersh شاهين عمر كرش
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 village of Ashmia (اشميا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.876248, 38.107721. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS380

Incident date

November 3, 2019

Location

الطريق بين رشيدية و القاسمية, Road between Al Rashidiya and Al Qasimiya village, Al Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.706030, 40.353696 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One member of Doctors Without Borders was killed and three other civilians including two aged 17 wounded in an alleged Turkish mortar strike on a convoy about four kilometers north of Tal Temr, local sources reported.

Hawar news said: “The invading Turkish state wounded two doctors by firing cannons at Til Temir’s convoy of Doctors Without Borders between Al-Rashidiy and Al-Qasimiyê village. The condition of one of the doctors remains serious.”

Later reports said that one of the victims had died.

Free Burma Rangers issued the following statement:

“We are very sad to announce that Zau Seng, our Kachin cameraman and medic from Burma, was killed today, Nov. 3., by a Free Syrian Army/Turkish Army mortar strike that hit our forward casualty collection point where we were assembled to treat the wounded.

“Last night, Nov. 2, we had rescued three people from this area successfully but this time we were hit very close, about 10 meters from us. Mohammed, our Iraqi translator and coordinator, was also wounded but is in stable condition in the hospital.

“Zau Seng was my brother and hero. He leaves behind a wife, Lunu, and daughter, who celebrated her first birthday today. We pledge to take care of his wife and daughter as much as we can. We believe Zau is with Jesus now, in what the people of Burma call ‘the undiscovered land.’ He has now discovered it.

“I know he’s happy and still laughing, as he was always laughing, but we are sad because the world is emptier without him.”

A second post by Burma Rangers quoted Mohammed, the wounded Iraqi translator. He said:  “Our duty is to remove civilians from the battlefield. We are a human rights organization. When we reached the village of Al-Ezîziyê, we were exposed to bombardment of gangs belonging to the Turkish state. The gangs wanted to pave the way for them to reach Til Temir. We were attacked when we treated the wounded. Despite the Red Cross flag on our vehicle, they continued to attack us. A Thai member lost his life as a result of the attacks.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Dr Zau Seng
37 years old male killed
Mohammed Ahmed
31 years old male KRC List injured
Luay Sitam Hemid
17 years old male KRC List - Fragments in the left leg injured
Muhannad Jasim Hemid
17 years old male KRC List - Fragments in the left leg injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the alleged Turkish strike on the convoy in Tal Temr, Nov 3rd.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Attempts to save the life Zau Seng, one of the members of the convoy.
  • Mohammed, part of the convoy struck by an alleged Turkish morat in Tal Temr, Nov 3rd (via Free Burma Rangers)
  • Zau Seng (via Free Burma Rangers)
  • Zau Seng (via Free Burma Rangers)
  • Zau Seng with wife Lunu (via Free Burma Rangers)
  • Zau Seng with his daughter (via Free Burma Rangers)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Attempts to save the life of Zau Seng following the alleged Turkish strike on the convoy in Tal Temr, Nov 3rd (via Hawar news)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Attempts to save the life of Zau Seng following the alleged Turkish strike on the convoy in Tal Temr, Nov 3rd (via Hawar news)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Attempts to save the life of Zau Seng following the alleged Turkish strike on the convoy in Tal Temr, Nov 3rd (via Hawar news)
  • 9th october to 14th of november doc

    KRC list of civilians killed and injured between 09 October and 14 November 2019.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck on the road between the villages of Al Qasimiya (القاسمية) and Al Rashidiya (رشيدية), north of the town of Tal Tamr (تل تمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.706030, 40.353696. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck on the road between the villages of Al Qasimiya (القاسمية) and Al Rashidiya (رشيدية), north of the town of Tal Tamr (تل تمر).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    1
  • (1 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]