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

TS541

Incident date

August 8, 2022

Location

قرية جديدة, Jadida village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.531498, 38.821210 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in the alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Jadida on August 8, 2022.

According to a correspondent for Hawar News, a “citizen” named Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26, was wounded by Turkish bombing of Ain Issa.

A Facebook post from Live voice specified that the bombing occurred in Jadida village and resulted in the injury of Farhan, adding that there were no other details available about his injury and his health condition.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Press Center added that Farhan works as a farmer and was transferred “to the hospital of the martyr “Omar Alloush” in the town of Ain Issa for treatment.”

All of the sources attributed the bombing Turkish forces, with the SDF Press Center specifying that the Turkish struck the village with artillery shells and tanks.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Farhan Muhammad Bashir
26 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)
  • Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jadida (جديدة), allegedly located in the western countryside of Ain Issa (بعين عيسى) district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jadida are: 36.531498, 38.821210.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ 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

TS606

Incident date

June 27, 2023

Location

جورين, Jourin, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by shelling allegedly carried out by the factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin” operations room, a Turkish sponsored militia, in Jourin in the Al-Ghab Plain region on June 27, 2023.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two civilians were injured to varying degrees by shrapnel from rocket shells launched by factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin” operations room. The source added that the wounded were taken to the hospital.

A tweet from @Click_Syria reported that two civilians sustained “minor” injuries from the shelling as well as causing material damages to homes and property.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jourin (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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS635

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

قرية جلبية/, M4 international road, 45km southeast from the city of Kobani, near Jalabiya (Kharab Ashk) village, Kobani, Syria

Airwars assessment

At 10:45 in the morning on Thursday, 5th October 2023, Turkish drone strikes allegedly killed two civilian men riding a motorcycle on the M4 international road, 45 km southeast from the city of Kobani, and injured up to two other civilians. According to the local sources, the incident happened near the village of Jalabiya (Kharab Ashk) in the countryside of Ayn Al-Arab (Kobani).

The deceased men have been named as Kilo Adbi from the village of Touqli and Hazouf (Horouf) Ali Rami Haval Bahuz. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that they were workers of the military fortification tunnels, riding a Turkish motorcycle. Local news agency Hawar News reported that two other civilians were wounded in the drone strike.

Birjav FM reported that their motorcycle was on the M4 international road, 45 km southeast from the city of Kobani. Facebook users such as Kobanê Warê Me posted images of the victims and the destroyed motorcycle, which lay scattered and burned on the ground.

Kilo Abdi, a middle-aged man with a moustache is seen in the images with his two small children.

Hazouf Ali Rami was remembered in a Facebook tribute by his wife’s brothers Rizan Hes Hamin and Juan Hes Hamin. They shared the images of the late Hazouf, a middle aged man with a moustache while doing some manual work and standing near a bonfire.

This incident was part of a series of drone strikes and bombings on the 5th October across northeastern Syria which targeted infrastructure, service facilities alongside gas and oil stations.

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

The incident occured at 10:45:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Kilo Abdi كيلو عبدي
Adult male killed
Hazouf Ali Rami حزوف علي رمي
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani News facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani News facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: National Geographic Kobani facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: National Geographic Kobani facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rizan Hes Hamin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juan Hes Hamin facebook

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
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS045

Incident date

January 10, 2017

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

Seven or eight civilians died including one child and as many as 30 more were injured in alleged Turkish air and artillery strikes on Al Bab, Syria, according to sources on the ground.

Ameer Alabaad put the death toll at six civilians with 12 more wounded – “mostly children and women” – in a “Turkish air and artillery bombardment” on Al Bab.

IS propaganda source, Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu, also reported these figures and blamed Turkey. It also published graphic footage showing the aftermath of the attack.

LCCSY said that eight people had died and also pointed to Turkey.

Halab News named the victims killed by Turkish artillery in Al Bab on January 10th.

According to jabal-aqel-albab.tk, a further 30 civilians were wounded in the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al Hakim Abd al Hamid al Hamdan
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
Yasser Zakkour al Baho
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
Unidentified victim
Child named by Halab News killed
Unidentified victim
Adult male named by Halab News killed
Abdallah Hassan Salam Al Hashem
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
Mohammad Ghazal Fares
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
The son of Mohammad al A’bo
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A’maq Agency: # breaking: 6 dead and 12 wounded, mostly children and women as a result of aerial bombardment and Turkish artillery on the city of Al Bab. (via ameer_albab)

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
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS040

Incident date

January 5, 2017

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

Two civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights wrote: “And two citizens, including a child, were killed in shelling by Turkish forces on areas in Al Bab city in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo.”

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu published a similar report and also said that 11 people were injured.

Jabal Aqel Al Bab reported that one person killed came from the Sukkar family, while the other one is a child from Al Mahdatha school. In addition, the source mentioned 15 wounded people.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Member of the Sukkar family
Age unknown killed
Child from Al Mahdatha school
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–15
  • 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 (6) [ 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
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–15
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS327 TS005

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الثلثانة, Taltanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.44605, 37.34302 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 19 civilians including 3 children were killed – and as many as 41 people injured – when airstrikes hit the village of Al Thaltanah. Multiple reports initially assigned blame to the Coalition or Turkish forces. However, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition conceded it had injured one civilian in the event.

The Syrian Network and Syria News Desk reported that seven civilians died, and assigned responsibility to the Coalition. Several other reports also blamed the Coalition. The Syrian Observatory reported that “warplanes” targeted the village “inhabited by Kurdish civilians,” leaving 60 civilian casualties, including 13 confirmed civilian deaths.

In a separate report, the Observatory clarified the airstrikes were carried out “likely by Turkish warplanes,” and reported that the death toll rose to 19 civilians, including 3 children, noting “the number of the dead is likely to rise.” ISIL’s news arm Al A’maq News reported that 10 civilians died and several were injured in an “American raid.”

Reflecting the confusion, al Jazeera cited the Observatory and wrote, “it was unclear whether the strike was carried out by the US-led coalition fighting ISIL, or Turkey, which is leading an operation against the group in the area with support from Syrian rebel forces.”

In its December 1st report the Coalition stated: “During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.”

This was later amended on April 30th 2017: “Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.”

Halab News identified 11 civilians, 9 of which it named, who it said were victims of “Coalition plane shelling.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown from Kafr Sgheer village killed
Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Mohammad Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mustapha Yahyia al Ibo
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Illo al Haj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Yahiya Yusuf Al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Yahyia al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Qarmatli
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Satellite images show recent attack resulted from an airstrike, UN says, as battle for Aleppo sees more children killed", November 2016. (via Al-Jazeera)
  • Location of the village where the air strike took place, November 2016. (via Eastern Manbij countryside)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.4457989, 37.3436021

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Taltanah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA515347
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Dec 1, 2016

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Taltanah, Syria: During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 3rd-4th 2016, the Coalition reported no strikes in the near vicinity, though others for Aleppo governorate: ”Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL machine gun. Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI075

Incident date

December 27–28, 2021

Location

Bankê, Duhok, Iraq

Geolocation

37.20788, 42.9688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one woman was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Bankê between December 27-28th 2021, according to local reports.

Nalia Media Corporation reported that a woman was badly injured in Turkish air strikes near residents’ homes in the village of Bankê. The injured woman was taken to the hospital in Zakho and the residents of the two surrounding villages were left without electricity.

ANF News also identified one injury, a 42-year-old woman, who was wounded when Turkish shells struck her home. ANF added that the shelling also destroyed large areas of cultivated land and gardens and were fired from a Turkish base in southern Kurdistan.

Christian Peacemaker Teams reported that the shelling went on for several hours.

All other sources that reported on the incident also identified one woman as being injured and attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured after midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish strikes on Bankê on December 27-28, 2021. (Image posted by Mawazin)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bankê, for which the generic coordinates are: 37.20788, 42.9688. 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
    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 (6) [ collapse]