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

TS417A

Incident date

March 7, 2020

Location

الخالدية, Khaldiyah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.418333, 38.809444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to ANF, Turkey and Turkey-backed militants launched series of attacks on Khaldiyah and Hoshan villages, and the refugee camp in Ain Issa and the international M4 highway in Syria on March 7th, 2020.

This led to the injury of a civilian in Khaldiyah village.

No further information is available now.

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
    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 Khaldiyah (الخالدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.418333, 38.809444. 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]

Incident Code

TS417

Incident date

March 2, 2020

Location

جورين, Jourin, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.615000, 36.267222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that two civilians were killed when pro-Turkey militants launched artillery on Jorin in Hama, Syria on March 2nd, 2020. The victims are a child and a woman. Seven civilians are reported injured in the attack.

“A woman and a child were martyred while seven civilians were injured in terrorist attacks with rocket shell on Jorin town in the far northwest countryside of Hama. SANA’s reporter said on Monday that the terrorist organizations, backed by the Turkish regime, fired  rocket shells on Jorin town that fell on a consolation house, killing two citizens and injuring seven others.”

@HarbiehNadie said the shells fell on a consolation house in the town.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 Jorin (جورين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.615000, 36.267222. 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
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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

TS416

Incident date

February 28, 2020

Location

العريمة‎, Al Arimah , Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.473772, 37.720148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were reported killed and several others injured in alleged Turkey artillery attack on Al Arimah town, west of Manbij city in northeastern Aleppo, Syria on February 28th, 2020, according to local sources. The attack is also believed to have caused four deaths and five injuries among regime forces and ‘loyalists’ as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described them.

“SOHR sources have said that Turkish forces, stationed at Sheikh Nasser base, carried out intensive rocket attacks on various areas of Al Arimah town, west of Manbij city in northeastern Aleppo, leaving casualties among civilians. Four member among regime forces and loyalists have been killed, and at least five others have sustained injuries of varying severity, while dozens of civilians have fled their homes in the wake of Turkish escalation as shelling has continued intensively.”

ynms79797979 said that 30 artillery shells were launched by Turkey on the area targeting Syrian Army and Al Bab Military Council in the villages around Al Arimah .

@NotWoofers said that “In Al Arimah , nine shells fired by the Turkish army landed inside the town, destroying two homes and wounding a civilian. Several civilian vehicles were also destroyed by these strikes. The Russian base in the town was allegedly the target of this attack.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of artillery attack allegedly by Turkey on Arimah in Aleppo on February 28th, 2020 (via @NotWoofers)
  • Artillery shell allegedly used by Turkey in an attack on Arimah village in Aleppo on February 28th, 2020 (via @NotWoofers)
  • An alleged Turkey artillery attack on Arimah village in Aleppo caused damage to civilians homes, on February 28th, 2020 (via @NotWoofers)
  • Aftermath of artillery attack allegedly by Turkey on Arimah in Aleppo on February 28th, 2020 (via @NotWoofers)

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention artillery strikes in the village of Al Arimah (العريمة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.473772, 37.720148. 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
    2
  • 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 (4) [ 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

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

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

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]