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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Turkish Military
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Incident Code

TS572

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

المصرف, Al Masraf, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.02628, 41.546997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes that struck a civilian car in the village of Masraf on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that three people were injured when Turkish forces bombed a civilian car in the village of Masraf. The injured civilians were transferred to Qamishli Hospital for treatment.

Both Hawar News and Dijla posted on Facebook a similar casualty count of three civilian injured.

All three sources that reported on the incident attributed the bombing to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Car damaged by alleged Turkish airstrikes in the village of Masraf on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Masraf (المصرف), allegedly located in the vicinity of Al Qahtaniyah (القحطانية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Qahtaniyah are: 37.02628, 41.546997.  

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
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS614

Incident date

July 23, 2023

Location

قرية أبين/ بينه, village of Abyan/Bineh, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 23 July 2023, a female civilian was reportedly injured by Turkish artillery fire in the village of Abyan/Bineh in the Sherawa district.

According to the Afrin Human Rights Organisation, 21-year old Kurdish woman Hevin Hamo Shrou from the village of Qibariyeh was injured by shrapnel in the foot as a result of artillery fire. Hevin had been residing in the village of Abyan/ Bineh after being forcibly displaced from her home in Afrin in 2018 and was transferred to hospital for treatment.

Afrin Human Rights Organisation specifically attributed the shelling to Turkish forces stationed in the village of Jalber, and identified four mortar shells as being used in the attack.

Similar details were reported by a series of sources, including a local Facebook post, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and a report from the Domiz camp.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hevin Hamo Shrou هيفين حمو شرو
21 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hevin Hamo Shrou who sustained a foot injury from alleged Turkish shelling of Bineh on July 23, 2023. (Image posted by البارتي في مخيم دوميز Domiz camp via Facebook)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS653

Incident date

October 25, 2023

Location

قرية المشيرفة, village Al Mushairfa in the Ain Issa district, Ain Issa, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the afternoon or evening of Wednesday, October 25th, 2023, alleged Turkish artillery shelling struck the village of Al Mushairfa located 8 km east of the town of Ain Issa, Syria, injuring one civilian and striking grain silos.

The injured civilian has been named by most of the sources as a 26-year old Bashar Ahmed Al-Fanash, although North News reported that his age was 23. He was transported to Ain Issa Hospital where he received treatment for his wounds, some of which were located on his head as pictured.

Numerous local sources such as Hawar News reported that the bombs also hit a grain warehouse and silos in the city centre, however did not provide further details on the damage.

All sources attributed the attack to Turkish military forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bashar Ahmed Al-Fanash بشار أحمد
26 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ANHA facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ain Esa Plus facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS036

Incident date

December 31, 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 six and 11 civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab, Syria.

LCCSY wrote: “11 martyrs in Aleppo most killed in Al-Bab city due to Turkish bombardment.”

Al Bab Al Hadath reported that all 11 people were killed in Al Bab: “11 killed and 28 wounded, the majority are children and women, due to Turkish warplanes shelling Al-Bab.”

An alleged ISIS propaganda Facebook page “Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu”, posted a graphic video of seriously burnt children allegedly from the shelling by Turkish planes. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khawlah Abo Kisheh
Adult female killed
Ibtihal Abo Kisheh
Adult female killed
Sabah Abo Kisheh
Child killed
Ahmad Abo Kisheh
Child male killed
Unidentified Child
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    28
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

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.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    28
  • 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 (7) [ 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

TS485

Incident date

January 22, 2022

Location

قرية الحدريات, Hadriat village, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians were killed and up to four others were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Hadriat and other surrounding villages in the countryside of Ain Issa on January 22, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Turkish bombings of the village of Hadriat resulted in the death of five civilians and the wounding of four others. This was the most violent attack carried out by Turkish forces in the last 2 months.

Hawar News reported on the killing of two residents of the village of Jabal from Turkish attacks. Hawar News also reported that two civilians were injured in the bombing of the village of Al-Msherfa. Images posted along with this report show two men getting treatment for their wounds.

North Press Agency put the casualty toll at two civilians killed and three injured, providing the names of the injured as: 20-year-old Muhammad Mahmud, the 45-year-old Muhammad Saleh Mahmud, and the 40-year-old Abdulrahim Hamoud Saleh. The source added that Abdulrahim Saleh Muhammad succumbed to his injuries after arriving at Martyr Omar Alosh Hospital in Ain Issa town.

Ain Issa Plus provided details that Abdulrahim Saleh Muhammad was a child, 14 years old, and add the name Hassan Al-Mohammed to the list of injured, who is 22 years old.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also reported that people were killed and wounded from artillery shelling launched by the Turkish army, adding that “the SDF militia Sabah set up mortars in the vicinity of the village, targeting positions of the National Army militia”.

The Syrian Democratic Forces Press Center identified two civilians as being killed and two others as being injured, and their spokesman @farhad_shami posted a video on Twitter alongside this information that shows a man with blood on his leg, indicating he may be one of the men that was injured.

In addition to the civilian casualties, Syrian Arab News Agency identified that the strikes resulted in damage to “some homes and public and private properties”.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the attack to Turkish forces, with Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firate (ANF) identifed “rockets, Grad guns, tanks and mortar shells” as being used by Turkey “since the early hours of the morning”.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Mahmud صالح حمود محمد
20 years old injured
Muhammad Saleh Mahmud محمد حمود صالح
45 years old injured
Abdulrahim Hamoud Saleh عبد الرحيم حمود صالح
40 years old male injured
Abdul Rahim Salih Muhammad عبد الرحيم صالح محمد
14 years old killed
Hassan Al-Mohammed
22 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • One of the men injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Msherfa on January 22, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • One of the men injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Msherfa on January 22, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Msherfa on January 22, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • Rescue crews and civilians at the site of alleged Turkish strikes on the villages in the Ain Issa countryside on January 22, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

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 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS522

Incident date

June 29, 2022

Location

حسن عرب, Arab Hassan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.649700, 37.848123 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, children, were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes/artillery strikes on Arab Hassan village in northern Manbij countryside on June 29, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two civilians were killed when Turkish forces shelled the outskirts of Arab Hassan village in northern Manbij countryside.

Manbij Media Center reported that the two civilians killed were children and that the strikes were carried out at 3:30 in the afternoon and included guided missiles. Manbij Media Center also provided the names of the children killed: Muhammad Abd al-Latif, born in 2009, and the second child was Ahmed Fouad Hajj Hussein, born in 2010, both of whom were cousins ​​from the same village.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish forces and Alghad TV mentioned that artillery shells were used in the incident.

The incident occured at 15:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Muhammad Abd al-Latif محمد عبد اللطيف
13 years old killed
Ahmed Fouad Hajj Hussein أحمد فؤاد حج حسين
12 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Remnants of an alleged Turkish shell that hit the village of Arab Hassan on June 29, 2022. (Image posted by Manbij Media Center)
  • Remnants of an alleged Turkish shell that hit the village of Arab Hassan on June 29, 2022. (Image posted by Manbij Media Center)
  • Remnants of an alleged Turkish shell that hit the village of Arab Hassan on June 29, 2022. (Image posted by Manbij Media Center)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Arab Hassan (حسن عرب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.649700, 37.848123. 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
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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

TS553

Incident date

August 24, 2022

Location

تل رفعت, city centre of Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were killed and between five to nine others were injured when a Turkish drone was reported to target a market in the city centre of Tal Rifaat in the countryside of Aleppo, on August 24th 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the market was targeted in Tal Rifaat city, close to where the Syrian regime’s military security headquarters are located.

Most reports indicated that the initial death toll was two, which then rose to three.  Two days later, on August 26th 2022, it was reported by two sources, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and ANHA English that the fourth civilian died from wounds sustained in this drone striike.

News outlet, ANHA English, reported that one civilian who was allegedly killed in this attack was named Rashin Aliko and Anf also reported that another civilian killed was Fatime Osman Mamo, aged 22.  She was also referenced as “injured” by various news sources, indicating that she could have died as a result of her injuries. A local source also referred to another “martyr” as “Hamza.” In a post they published, “Hamza, where did you go, my soul… not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today is your wedding…this is your wedding that you are martyred.”

ANHA English identified among the injured:

Hussein Murad Garouki, aged 13
Manan Rashid Hussein, aged 57
Akid Fakhri Sheikho, aged 32
Samir Abdel Qader Rasho, aged 31
Zuhair Abdul Rahman Muhammad, aged 36. Muhammad was later confirmed dead by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and ANHA English.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rashin Aliko
Age unknown male killed
Fatime Osman Mamo
22 years old male killed
Hussein Murad Garouki
13 years old male injured
Manan Rashid Hussein
57 years old male injured
Akid Fakhri Sheikho
32 years old male injured
Samir Abdel Qader Rasho
31 years old male
Zuhair Abdul Rahman Muhammad
36 years old
Hamza
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–9
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Image of aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrike on Tal Rifaat on August 24th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • The aftermath of the alleged Turkish drone strike on Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022 (Image via Anf)
  • "Hamza, where did you go, my soul... not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today this is your wedding... this is your wedding that you are martyred." A message for "Hamza" allegedly killed in a reported Turkish strike on August 24th 202 (Image via دليل آخين / Facebook)
  • "Hamza, where did you go, my soul... not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today this is your wedding... this is your wedding that you are martyred." A message for "Hamza" allegedly killed in a reported Turkish strike on August 24th 202 (Image via دليل آخين / Facebook)
  • Bissan Fm reported from the site where an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat, killing two to three civilians.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city center of Tel Rifaat (تل رفعت), for which the generic coordinates are; 36.472576, 37.096272. 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 infrastructure
    Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–9
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]