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

TS415

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

الشيخ عيسى, Sheikh Issa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.478333, 37.146944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to NPA, “Two civilians were injured in the Turkish bombardment on the village of Sheikh Issa in the northern countryside of Aleppo on February 26th, 2020.”

No more information is available at the moment.

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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sheikh Issa (الشيخ عيسى) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.478333, 37.146944. 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI033

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

Sida village, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

37.085278, 43.931111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sidah village, Zap in Nineveh, Iraq Kurdistan on February 26th, 2020 according to local sources.

ANF reported that “on February 26th, Turkish jets struck a civilian car in Sidah village of Zap region at 16:00, killing a civilian named Khelil Ibrahim Sidani who came from the Sheladize town.”

The Press Office of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG-BIM) released a statement saying that “Turkish attacks deliberately targeted civilians who were working in their fields in the Sidah village.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sida village in Iraq on Feb 26th, 2020 (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sidah (سيده) for which the generic coordinates are: 37.085278, 43.931111. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

TS414

Incident date

February 25, 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

Three civilians from the same family, including a woman and a child, were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Aqiba village in Afrin’s Sherawa district in the night of February 25th, 2020, according to local sources.

ANF reported that Seroşet Mihemed Hesen (12), Fatma Ali (46) and Hesen Izet Mihemed (55) were killed in the night of February 25th, 2020, in an “attack by the Turkish army and allied mercenaries”.

@Karl_hakon reported that the family was killed as the house they were in was targeted. In addition, he reported three wounded.

ANF reported that “thousands of people from Afrin and Shehba gathered before the Avrin Hospital in the Fafin district of Shehba before moving to the cemetery of martyrs in a long convoy”.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

12 years old female killed
46 years old female killed
55 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Thousands of people reportedly came to the funeral of three civilians that were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Aqiba on February 25th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • A convoy during the funeral of three civilians that were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Aqiba on February 25th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Thousands of people reportedly came to the funeral of three civilians that were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Aqiba on February 25th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • A crowd during the funeral of three civilians that were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Aqiba on February 25th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • The victims of the alleged Turkish artillery strike: Fatma Ali (left), Hesen Izet Mihemed (right) and Seroşet Mihemed Hesen (below) (via @HesenHoseng).
  • The bodies of the victims after alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Aqiba, Aleppo governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via @Karl_hakon).

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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS413

Incident date

February 24, 2020

Location

الخاروفية كبير, Al Kharoufiyah Kabir, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.409167, 37.900556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Al Kharoufiyah Kabir in Manbej of Aleppo, Syria on February 24th, 2020 according to local sources.

Manbej Military Council reported that “The Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries target from their base in the village of Al-Yashli and Sheikh Nasser and Al-Tokharak the points of concentration of the forces of Manbij Military Council in the large village of Kharoufiya, Dandaniyah, Arab Hassan Al-Sagheer, Aoun Dadat, Rafia. As a result, a woman from the village of Al Kharoufiyah Kabir was wounded, as a result of indiscriminate shells near the densely populated village, and one Syrian army was wounded. ”

No further details are available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Destruction to a house in Kharoufiya Kabir village in Manbej allegedly caused by Turkish forces shelling on February 24th, 2020. (via manbejmc).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Kharoufiyah Kabir (الخاروفية كبير), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.409167, 37.900556. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

TS412

Incident date

February 23, 2020

Location

مُنـابـي, Mabujah, Raqqa , Syria

Geolocation

36.591111, 38.728333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to ANF, two civilians including a child were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Mabujah village in Tal Abyad on February 23rd, 2020. ANF said that ” During the night, the invading Turkish state and its mercenaries shelled the village of Mabujah in Girê Spî (Tal Abyad). As a result of the bombing, a 16-year-old boy named Meram Khelîl was injured together with another civilian.”

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A child injured in alleged Russian shelling on Mebuce village in Tal Abyad on February 23rd, 2020. (via ANF)
  • Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria. (via @Kurdistan4K)

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the village of Mabujah (مُنـابـي) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.591111, 38.728333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS411

Incident date

February 23, 2020

Location

الفاطسة, Al Fatsa, Raqqa , Syria

Geolocation

36.400556, 38.968056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

ANF reported that on February 23rd, 2020, “Turkish forces attacked the village of Al Fatsa in Ain Issa region at around 17:30 local time on Saturday. The attack left three children and a woman injured, and were then taken to Raqqa Hospital for treatment.”

Also @Kurdistan4K reported that Turkish shelling renewed on Ain Issa countryside, causing injuries among civilians.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Woman injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Fatsa village in Ain Issa on February 23rd, 2020 (via ANF)
  • Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria. (via @Kurdistan4K)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Fatsa (الفاطسة) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.400556, 38.968056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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

TS410

Incident date

February 18, 2020

Location

مشرفة, Mishrefa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.327222, 38.924722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported injured in alleged Turkish air or artillery strikes on the village of Mishrefa and Şergirat, Ain Issa, on February 18th, 2020, according to local sources.

ANF reported that “at 19.30 local time, the villages of Mishrefa and Şergirat were targeted. In the attack with heavy weapons, the wheat warehouse was bombed with mortars. According to the first information, at least 3 people were injured and hospitalised.”

@AzadiRojava posted a video of wounded men receiving medical help in Ain Issa hospital, also reporting three wounded civilians due to Turkish bombing.

The incident occured at approximately 7:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • Wounded man receiving medical help after alleged Turkish attacks on the villages of Mişrefa and Şergirat on February 18th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Young man receiving medical help after alleged Turkish attacks on the villages of Mişrefa and Şergirat on February 18th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Injured man receiving medical help after alleged Turkish attacks on the villages of Mişrefa and Şergirat on February 18th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Young man receiving medical help after alleged Turkish attacks on the villages of Mişrefa and Şergirat on February 18th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Injured man in a hospital after alleged Turkish attacks on the villages of Mişrefa and Şergirat on February 18th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Footage of wounded receiving medical help in a hospital after alleged Turkish bombing of villages in Ain Issa on February 18th, 2020 (via @Jamal_Bali7).

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the village of Mishrefa (مشرفة) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.327222, 38.924722. 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
    3
  • 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

TS409

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Location

باشمرة, Bashamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.310556, 36.978611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and two children were injured in alleged Turkish air and/or artillery strikes on the village of Bashamra, Sherawa district, Aleppo governorate, on February 15th, 2020, according to local sources.

ANF English reported that Turkish forces launched an attack on the village, resulting into the injury of a woman named Sêvîn Nebu Qesab and her 8-year-old daughter Hemide Selih Hilal. The name of another injured child is unknown.

Hawar News Agency reported that “the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries are bombing the populated village of Bashamra in Sherawa district in Afrin, and it resulted in wounding a woman and two children”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult female injured
8 years old female daughter of Sêvîn Nebu Qesab injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Displaced women reportedly seeking shelter from alleged Turkish shelling on Bashamreh village, Aleppo governorate, on February 15th, 2020 (via @HesenHoseng).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike in the village of Bashamra (باشمرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.310556, 36.97861. 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
    3
  • 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]