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

TS096

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Location

تمادا, Tarnada villlage, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.493056, 36.879444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported “the injury of 11 people, including two children, between the Al Ashrafieh neighbourhood and Tarnada village” in an alleged Turkish bombing.

No further details or known sources are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 village of Tarnada villlage, Afrin (تمادا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.493056, 36.879444. 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
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS160

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67296, 36.666364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent revealed two civilians as wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Rajo, Syria. Both victims were reported as injured by shrapnel.

The type of weapon is unknown.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Othman Haydar Mohammed
42 years old male shrapnel in the arm injured
Hajji Mohammed Baker
39 years old shrapnel in various places injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo (جنديرس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.67296, 36.666364. 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS223

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Location

كوتانة، عفرين, Kotana, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.463611, 38.481944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to four civilian boys were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling of Kotana, Syria, local media said.

According to the source IC Afrin Resistance, “the Turkish army shelled the village Kotana / Bilbile district. Two boys have been injured. Both were brought to a health center in Meydanke district.”

The boys – Ali Muhammad Hassan (16 years old) and Rashid Mustafa Rasho (15 years old) – were also named by a number of other sources.

However, these boys were also named as injured in event TS224 at Qastal Jando, Afrin

Afrin Now also reported “civilian casualties as a result of the Turkish bombardment of the village of Kutana in the area of Bulbul in the countryside of Afrin.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Elî Hesen
Age unknown injured
Reşîd
Age unknown injured
Ali Muhammad Hassan
16 years old male injured
Rashid Mustafa Rasho
15 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • An injured civilian gets treated in a medical facility following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kotana, Afrin, 23rd February 2018. (via Kurdhr)
  • An injured civilian gets treated in a medical facility following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kotana, Afrin, 23rd February 2018. (via Afrin Now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian gets treated in a medical facility following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kotana, Afrin, 23rd February 2018. (via Kurdhr)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian gets treated in a medical facility following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kotana, Afrin, 23rd February 2018. (via Afrin Now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian gets treated in a medical facility following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kotana, Afrin, 23rd February 2018. (via Hawar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kotana, Afrin (كوتانة، عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.463611, 38.481944. 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
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS298

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Location

Se Girka, Qamishli, Hasaka , Syria

Geolocation

36.844444, 41.047778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child aged six was reported injured or killed in an alleged Turkish forces artillery strike on Se Girka village in Qamishli countryside, October 9th 2019, according to local media sources.

ANF news also reported that “in the same area, the Turkish forces attacked a vehicle belonging to civilians.”

@twkiedisqueen and @RojavaNetwork said the child was killed, while other sources said they were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (0–1 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Se Girka, Qamishli, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.844444, 41.047778. 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
  • (0–1 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS333

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

طريق M4 جنوب تل أبيض, M4 Highway south of Tal Abyad, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.425609, 39.017534 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “Members of the Turkey-loyal factions carried out a field execution of 6 new citizens by the fire of machine guns, after they took control of the highway to al-Hasakah city south of Tal Abyad for a short time, before they withdrew from it”.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the M4 highway south of Tal Abyad (تل أبيض), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.425609, 39.017534. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the M4 highway south of Tal Abyad (تل أبيض).

    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
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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

TS353

Incident date

October 17, 2019

Location

كوباني, Qamishli, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.889165, 38.353649 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including a child were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Qamishli, according to sources on the ground, while the Kurdish Red Crescent reported that five civilians were injured.

Hawarnews reported: “Three Turkish civilians were wounded in the bombardment of the occupied Turkish state and gangs in the neighborhoods of Qamishlo. The invading Turkish state bombed Qamişlo’s Qinat Siwês and Meyselûn neighborhoods with artillery shots in the evening. Eight-year-old Reha Fehed, Nîdal Mihemed Zekî and Mihemed Salih Abdullah were injured in the bombing of the neighborhoods where tens of thousands of civilians lived.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Reha Fehed
8 years old injured
Nîdal Mihemed Zekî
Age unknown Name possibly Nidal Ebrahim according to KRC, age 46 injured
Mihemed Salih Abdullah
Age unknown injured
Abdulfattah Esmail al Ali,
20 years old male injured
Hussein al Sayer
25 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "The occupying Turkish state bombed Qamishlo's Qinat Siwês and Meyselûn neighborhoods with artillery shots. In the bombing, 8-year-old Reha Fehed and Nîdal Mihemed Zekî and Mihemed Salih Abdullah civilians were injured."

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Qamishli (كوباني), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.889165, 38.353649. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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

TS384

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

جامع الصديق , Al Seddiqe Mosque, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207338, 37.143774 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and “many” injured in an alleged Turkey-backed militants’ artillery attack on the Al-Cemîliye neighbourhood, in Aleppo, Syria, on November 6th, 2019 according to local sources.

The Al Siddiqe Mosque was reportedly targeted.

Some sources blamed the Jabhat al-Nusra group.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

bd al-Hadi Janbaz
28 years old male killed
Basil al-Dhafiri
29 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Unknown

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the attack.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the attack.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike in the vicinity of Al Seddiqe Mosque (جامع الصديق), within the Jamiliyeh (الجميلية) neighbourhood of Aleppo (ﺣَﻠَﺐ‎). The exact coordinates of the mosque are: 36.207338, 37.143774.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Unknown

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS339a

Incident date

October 10–13, 2019

Location

منبج‎ / عين العرب‎ / كوباني‎, M4 Highway, between Manbij and Kobani, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.6304613, 38.2997323 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Kurdish civilians were summarily executed by Turkish forces on the M4 highway in north east Syria, according to local media.

Video shared by @zana_med on twitter shows Turkey-backed militants near bodies of two civilians that they executed earlier on the M4 highway in Hassakah governroate.  The date of the summary execution is not known but possibly between 10 and 13 October 2019.

The content of the video is graphic.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army
  • Suspected target
    Free Syrian Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the incident took place on the M4 highway between the cities of Manbij (منبج‎) and Kobani (عين العرب‎ / كوباني‎) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.6304613, 38.2997323. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the incident took place on the M4 highway between the cities of Manbij (منبج‎) and Kobani (عين العرب‎ / كوباني‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army
  • Suspected target
    Free Syrian Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]