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

TS545

Incident date

August 10, 2022

Location

قرية ملا سباط, Mulla Sibat village, Qamishli countryside, Al-Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.920833, 40.773611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed when a Turkish drone strike targeted a car in the village of Mulla Sibat in the countryside of Qamishli, Syria, on August 10th 2022. Between two and three militants were killed in the same strike.

A local source on Facebook, Qamishlo Republic, reported that Adeeb Nuri Hamsho from the village of Mulla Sibat headed towards the military vehicle that was bombed to try and rescue those in the car, when another shell hit him near the targeted vehicle, resulting in his death.

There were reports that two PKK/PYD militants were also killed in this attack, described by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as one leader and one member, while some sources said that three militants were killed.

South Front pointed out that the Syrian Arab Army (regime forces) maintain a post near the village of Mulla Sibat where a grain storage facility for the government is also located.

The SDF released a statement which stated that a “Turkish drone” hit the car at around 5pm on August 10th, killing two members and one civilian. The SDF statement reported that the militant names were Dijwar Kobane, a commander, and Bahour Radwan Anez, also known as Chey Kobane, in addition to pointing out that Dijwar had been involved in many battles against ISIS in different regions.

Anadolu Agency, the Turkish state-run news agency, reported that MIT (the National Intelligence Organization) acknowledged killing Muhsin Yağan, code-named “Dijvar Silopi”, the so-called Qamishli state director of the PKK/YPG, adding that he was the planner and implementer of many terrorists acts on the border line against security forces.

The incident occured at 17:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Adeeb Nuri Hamsho
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Two SDF militants reportedly killed by Turkish strike on Qamalshi countryside on August 10th 2022 (Image via ANHA English)
  • Adeeb Nuri Hamsho, reportedly killed by a Turkish strike which targeted and killed two SDF members on August 10th 2022 (Image via Wamishlo Republic / Facebook)
  • Reported Turkish drone strike targeted SDF vehicle in Mulla Sibat, killing one civilian (Image via RIC Arabic)
  • Picture of the SDF vehicle that was targeted by a reported Turkish strike in Qamalshi countryside on August 10th 2022 (Image via Qamishlo)
  • A video documenting scenes of a Turkish march targeting a civilian car in the village of Mulla Sibat, south of Qamishlo, which resulted in casualties and injuries to civilians.
  • Muhsin Yağan, code-named "Dijvar Silopi", a member of the SDF killed by Turkish forces on August 10, 2022. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Muhsin Yağan, code-named "Dijvar Silopi", a member of the SDF killed by Turkish forces on August 10, 2022. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mulla Sibat (ملا سباط), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.920833, 40.773611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS573

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

الزيدية, Al Zaydiyah, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.804710, 40.379030 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Al Zaydiyah on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that two people were injured by an explosive-laden drone strike on the village of Al Zaydiyah in Darbasiyah district. ANF added that at the time there was no information on the condition of those injured.

A Facebook post by Evin Shexmous published a similar casualty toll of two civilian injured by a Turkish drone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    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 Al Zaydiyah (الزيدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.804710, 40.379030. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

TS611

Incident date

July 15, 2023

Location

بلدة حارم, Harem town, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A man was injured when he was allegedly shot by Turkish border guards near Harem town on July 15, 2023.

North Press Agency reported that Turkish border guards shot and injured a 52 year old man named Riyad al-Kanou while he was checking on his land, which is adjacent to the Turkish border near the town of Harem. A local source told North Press that the Turkish border guards shot the man with several bullets, one of which hit his body, and that he was taken to Harem Hospital in critical condition.

No other sources were found reporting on this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Riyad al-Kanou رياض الكنو
52 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ 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

TS032

Incident date

December 27, 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 one and five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab, Syria.

Al Bab Al Hadath said that “one person was killed due to Turkish bombardment near the big mosque in Al-Bab city.”

According to LCCSY, eight people were killed in the Aleppo area and “the majority” of them in Al Bab.

The Syrian Network for Human rights reported three civilians dead.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Talal Awad Al-Waki
Adult male named by Al Bab Hadath killed
Abdo Mahmood Al-Waki
Adult male named by Al Bab Hadath killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (0–1 women2 men)
  • 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 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
    1 – 5
  • (0–1 women2 men)
  • 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

TS072

Incident date

February 2, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes shelling on Al Bab, Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “The Turkish forces and warplanes renewed their shelling on areas in Al Bab city and its vicinity, which killed a civilian and injured others during the past 24 hours.”

Al Jazeera quoted the ISIS news outlet Al A’amaq saying that Al Bab was hit by 170 Turkish shells but did not mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.5179666. 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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS462 TS066

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Location

البزاعة, Al Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrikes, according to sources.

The Syrian Network noted that “four civilians (2 children and their parents) died when International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Baza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.”

However according to Ara News, “A statement issued by the Presidency of the Turkish General Staff said on Friday ‘Fighter jets belonging to the Turkish Air Force were able during the raids carried out on Thursday to neutralize 22 terrorists and destroy 272 objectives in al Bab city and the town of Baza’a in northern Syria, including 21 shelters for ISIL, a centralized command and an ammunition store’.”

The Syrian Observatory also blamed Ankara: “A child and a woman were martyred in Turkish raids on Baza’a and in Turkish artillery on al Bab.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Baza’a (البزاعة), 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.
  • 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 Baza’a (Aleppo), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA7143827368
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 26th-27th the Coalition publicly noted no strikes in Aleppo governorate, and likewise for January 27th-28th.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS500

Incident date

April 16, 2022

Location

قرية الغازلي, Al-Ghazili village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.310279, 39.016880 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured by alleged Turkish artillery shelling of Al-Ghazili village east of Ain Issa on April 16, 2022, reported by Hawar News.

According to Hawar News, civilian “Hassan Hamad al-Salama” was wounded by Turkish artillery shelling and “two light bombs”, and significant material damage was caused to his house, car and sheep.

No other information is available to Airwars at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Hamad al-Salama
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    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 Al Ghazili (الغازلي), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.310279, 39.016880. 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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]