Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

TS434a

Incident date

May 13, 2020

Location

مرناز , Maranaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.550776, 37.015300 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported injured in alleged shelling by Turkish forces on Maranaz in Aleppo on May 13th, 2020.

@NotWoofers tweeted “Additional report of a civilian casualty from Turkish shelling tonight. A young boy has been severely peppered by shrapnel.”

No further details are available.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Maranaz (مرناز), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.550776, 37.015300. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI035

Incident date

April 28, 2020

Location

Xakurke, Erbil, Iraq

Geolocation

36.857648, 44.678650 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes in Xakurke area, Erbil province, on April 28th 2020, according to local sources. Another man was severely injured.

Hengaw wrote that Fakhir Tazaward (35) and Rasheed Miro (36) from the city Oshnavieh, Iranian Kurdistan areas, were killed in a Turkish airstrike as they were collecting plants in the mountains. Other sources also wrote that the men were doing agricultural work.

A source told Hengaw that: “The bodies of the two young men have so far remained in the highlands of Xakurke and their families have not been able to transport them to the city.”

According to @Rojname, another man had been severely injured in the bombardment.

Bas News reported that “the Turkish warplanes reportedly bombarded the borders between the Kurdistan region, Iran, and Turkey on Tuesday morning.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

35 years old male from Oshnavieh killed
36 years old male from Oshnavieh killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the mountainous area in the Xakurke region. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for this region are: 36.857648, 44.678650.

  • Reports of the incident mention the mountainous area in the Xakurke region.

    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
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI034

Incident date

April 15, 2020

Location

مخيم مخمور للاجئين, Makhmur Refugee Camp, Erbil, Iraq

Geolocation

35.760000, 43.605000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three women were killed alleged Turkish drone strikes on Makhmour refugee camp, Erbil province, on April 15th 2020, according to local sources. Four civilians were injured.

Bewar Amin, head of Makhmour Camp’s media department, told Rudaw English that “three civilian women were killed by the Turkish airstrike today near Makhmour camp. Two women were killed immediately by the airstrikes, and another woman succumbed to her grave injuries and passed away later on.”

Yeniozgur Politika reported that Turkish Unmanned Aerial Vehicles targeted the camp, killing three women who were working in the gardens around 1:10 PM. The victims were named as Eyşö Ehmed Ferhan, Ezime Akdoğan and Hawa Akdoğan.

Whereas @abdullahawez wrote that it was unclear whether the women were civilians are not, all other sources reported the victims were civilians. Yeniozgur Politika added that the camp’s residents gathered in front of the hospital and held a ceremony to bury the victims, despite the ongoing dangers of Covid-19.

Kirkuk Now reported that, in addition, four civilians had been injured.

Kurdistan24 wrote that “Turkish warplanes conducted several airstrikes on Tuesday [April 14th] and Wednesday [April 15th] that targeted alleged positions of the opposition Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). According to local media reports, the new campaign resulted in several deaths, including both civilians and PKK fighters, and significant damage to the property of local residents and farmers.”

The incident occured at approximately 1:10 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Other

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage of Turkish airstrikes on Erbil province on April 15th, 2020 (via @HanaComani)
  • Photos of Makhmour camp, Erbil province, date unknown (via @y_ozgurpolitika).
  • Funeral ceremony of Eyşö Ehmed Ferhan, Ezime Akdoğan and Hawa Akdoğan, who died in alleged Turkish drone strikes on April 15th 2020 (via Yeniozgur Politika).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Makhmur Refugee Camp (مخيم مخمور للاجئين) for which the generic coordinates are: 35.760000, 43.605000. 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
    3
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Other

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS432

Incident date

April 10, 2020

Location

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.437500, 36.968333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported renewed rocket shelling by Turkish forces and the factions loyal to it on areas under the control of the Kurdish and regime forces in the northern countryside of Aleppo on April 10th, 2020.

The intense shelling targeted the villages of Aqeeba, Soghankeh, Ziyara, Dergemal, Beina and other areas located in the Shirawa district northwest of Aleppo and led to the injury of a civilian in the village of Aqiba, in addition to the killing of a member of the regime forces and the injury of others.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1–2

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Aqiba (عقيبة) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.437500, 36.968333. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1–2

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS430

Incident date

April 9, 2020

Location

كفرنايا, Kafr Naya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.420833, 37.073889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

ANF reported that a civilian was injured in the village of Kafr Naya in Aleppo, Syria in alleged Turkish shelling on April 9th, 2020. The civilian is identified as Khaled Oso, aged 42.

“The Turkish army and allied mercenaries have carried out an artillery attack on the villages of Sheikh Hilal and Kafr Naya in Shehba region at around 17:30 local time Thursday afternoon. The bombardment on Kafr Naya injured a 42-year-old civilian named Khalid Oso and caused material damage on the houses of the residents.The man has been taken to the Afrin Hospital in the Fafin district.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

42 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the town of Kafr Naya (كفرنايا) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.420833, 37.073889. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS429

Incident date

April 4, 2020

Location

The road between Efdikê and Kopirlik, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.684904, 38.764007 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

ANHA reported that Turkish forces targeted a civilian car on the road between Tal Abyad and the village of Avidko in Raqqa, Syria on April 4th, 2020 leading to the injury of a civilian. ANF later said three civilians were in the car and that they got injured.

It was reported also that Turkey-backed militants kidnapped the injured civilian and took him to an unknown destination.

No further information is available at the moment.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports on the incident mention the road between the villages of Efdikê and Kopirlik for which the generic coordinates are: 36.684904, 38.764007. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports on the incident mention the road between the villages of Efdikê and Kopirlik.

    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
    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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS427

Incident date

April 2, 2020

Location

تل قبر الصغير و العبوش, Qabr Al Saqir and Al Abosh, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.747222, 40.389722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were injured in artillery strikes by allegedly Turkish forces and allied militants, on the villages of Qabr Al Saqir and Al Abosh in Tal Tamr district on April 2nd, 2020, according to local sources.

According to Abna24, local sources told SANA, Syria’s official news agency, that “Turkish troops and their proxies targeted buildings in the villages of Qabr Al Saqir and Al Abosh, which lie in the Tall Tamr district of the province, on Thursday afternoon, leaving two civilians dead and four others injured.” The sources also reported material damage to civilians’ property.

@smmsyria tweeted that “two civilians were martyred and four others were injured in a shelling attack launched by #Turkish occupation forces and its proxies on villages in Tal Tamr in #Hasakah Governorate.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Qabr Al Saqir (تل قبر الصغير) and Al Abosh (العبوش). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of Al Abosh. The generic coordinates for Qabr Al Saqir are: 36.747222, 40.389722.

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS428

Incident date

April 2, 2020

Location

أم الكيف, Um al Keif, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.681181, 40.329241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured in alleged Turkish forces shelling on Um al Keif in Tal Tamr, Hasaka, Syria on April 2nd, 2020 according to ANF News.

The source reported that Turkish forces have been heavily shelling Tal Tamr region, and that “the aggression led to injury of 27-year-old Khalid Mihemed Ibrahim in the village of Um al Keif”

Mother of the injured civilian spoke to a news agency saying that “the Turkish occupation army started to bomb the village at around 12 at noon. My son was hit by shrapnel pieces. We rushed him to hospital without losing time.”

The civilian is in a stable condition.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

27 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khalid Mihemed Ibrahim, aged 27, was injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Um Al Kaf in Tal Tamr, Syria on April 2nd, 2020 (via ANF).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vilage of Um al Keif (أم الكيف) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.681181, 40.329241. 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
    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]