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

TI093

Incident date

August 6, 2023

Location

جمانكي, Jamanki area, Dohuk, Iraq

Airwars assessment

On August 6th, 2023, an alleged Turkish airstrike or drone strike in Jamanki, Dohuk governorate struck a car and killed a civilian named Alain Ismail and seriously injured a civilian named Hashem Shaker.

According to Altaakhi and Kurdistan 24 reports, Alain Ismail had been married five months before he tragically passed away. Further information about Alain Ismail and Hashem Shaker cannot be found within the sources. The Jamanki area where the strike took place is a well known summer resort area, and on a major road connecting districts within the governorate. Roj News, Attakhi, Kurdistan 24, and the Baghdad Times all allege that a Turkish aircraft was responsible, although Ankara has not taken responsibility for the strike or the civilian casualties.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Alain Ismail آلان إسماعيل
Age unknown killed
Hashem Shaker هاشم شاكر
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

TI097

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Location

مخيم مخمور, Makhmur Camp, Erbil Governorate , Kurdistan, Iraq

Airwars assessment

On October 7th, 2023, a civilian was killed and at least three civilians—a woman and two boys— were injured after an alleged Turkish drone strike on the Makhmour Camp in the Erbil Governorate of the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

The woman, who remains unnamed, was reported to be 72-years-old (born in 1951), and appears to have received an injury to her arm or shoulder; images from sources corroborate this. One of the boys was reported to be 15 (born in 2008); images included show him with an oxygen mask and IV. The other boy, who appears to be younger, was pictured receiving medical care to his leg. Rudaw Media Network reported that one other civilian was killed, but this was not corroborated elsewhere, and no identifying details of this victim were made public. Those injured were housed in the second section of the camp.

The strike occurred at 7:05 pm, according to Rudaw, and hit the camp mosque during the evening prayer. Rashad Kalali, the deputy official of Kurdish political party Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, was reported by Rudaw as saying that there were rumors that PKK militants were inside the camp, which resulted in its targeting. These rumors, Kalali stressed, were not accurate.

The camp, which locals call the Martyr Rustam Cudi Camp, houses between 10,000 to 12,000 people, primarily Kurds displaced from neighboring Turkey.

The incident occured at 19:05:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ronahi.tv
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ANF
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ronahi.tv
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ronahi.tv

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 infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS199

Incident date

February 15, 2018

Location

خوتانة, Khoutana village, Bilbileh district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.598164, 36.639362 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent named one child was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Khoutana.

The victim was named as 10-year-old Mohemmed Noury Ibrahim, who reportedly sustained bruising to his head.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Nuri Ibrahim
10 years old Private report via KRC injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 Khoutana village, Bilbileh district, Afrin (خوتانة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.598164, 36.639362. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS263

Incident date

March 10, 2018

Location

إبين, عفرين, village of Abyan, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.499722, 36.801389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, an unidentified number of civilians wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling on the village of Abyan, Afrin, Syria.

Rumaf, indicates that Turkish army targeted the village of Abyan with artillery and the fall of dozens of missiles near the regime HQ in Abyan, which led to several civilians being wounded.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 village of Abyan, Afrin (إبين, عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.499722, 36.801389. 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

CS1739a TS282a

Incident date

March 18, 2018

Location

تل حميس, Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli, Al Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.754529, 41.398836 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that Turkey carried out airstrikes on SDF positions in Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli. However, other outlets also stated that this was not the case and that the US-led Coalition conducted strikes on homes which reportedly held family members of ISIS. However, no casualty estimates were given.

The Shaam News Network, citing activists, said that Turkish aircraft targeted the positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the area of Tal Hamis and at the Umm al-Russ station southeast of the city of Qamishli.

Syria al hadath added: Turkish planes targeted locations of the Kurdish units at the Umm al-Rouss station in the west of Tal Hamis, in the north-eastern countryside of Al-Hasakah.

Al Hasaka Youth Union Facebook page posted: Turkish aircraft target the positions of the militia PYD in the area Tel_hamis southeast of  Qamishli but later corrected themselves, stating that it was, in fact, a Coalition airstrike. The source also ambivalently reported that the strike targeted homes of Iraqi refugees with the claims that IS elements were present there.

Shaam Network also reported it as a Turkish airstrike while Baladi News blamed the Coalition. The source added that homes were targeted because there were claims that there were ISIS militants present.

Baladi said: Local sources from the region said that an aerial landing of the International Coalition, carried out by a helicopter accompanied by two other aircraft, on the area of agricultural projects, pointing out that it targeted two homes inhabited by two Iraqi families, who fled earlier to the region.

According to the sources, the operation was carried out at 2 am, followed by loudspeaker calls, saying that they were soldiers from the International Coalition, followed by intermittent firing.

Some sources said that a Turkish air strike targeted the area near the town of Tal Hamis – but these reports could not be verified.

According to Jisr TV, in the north-east of Hasaka, Coalition forces arrested a number of Iraqi refugees in the countryside of Tel Hamis, after the implementation of an aerial landing in the region.

Asia News provided some more detail, adding that three US helicopters carried out an aerial landing targeting a house between the villages of Kalou and al-Jaysi, 2 km south of Tal Hamis district in the south-eastern suburb of Qamishli.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli ( تل حميس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.754529, 41.398836. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

There were no reported strikes conducted in Syria or Iraq on March 18, 2018.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Sunday 18 March – a Reaper killed two terrorists on a motorcycle in eastern Syria…On Sunday 18 March, a Reaper tracked a pair of terrorists on a motorcycle south-east of As Shadadi in eastern Syria. It became clear that they were operating as a mobile checkpoint in an attempt to exert control over the local area. The Reaper’s crew waited until the motorcycle was in open country, and despite its high speed, achieved a direct hit with a Hellfire which killed both of the Daesh extremists.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS306

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

القامشلي, Qadourbek neighborhood, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.036389, 41.239444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including one child and two elderly women were reported killed and nine other civilians injured in an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qadourbek neighborhood in Qamishli, on October 10th, 2019, according to local media sources.

Mohammed Yousif Hussein was reported killed, and his sister Sara Yousif Hussein, lost a leg in the attack.

Smart News reported: “A child was killed and four civilians, including a girl and a woman, were wounded by Turkish artillery shelling on Thursday in the city of Qamishli (82 km northeast of the city of al-Hasakah) northeast of Syria.”

According to an Amnesty International report, the incident occurred near the Al Salah mosque in Qamishli.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

11 years old years old male killed
8 years old years old female leg amputation injured

The victims were named as:

Amina Mardini
60-73 years old female killed
Ahmad Abu Rana
Age unknown male killed
Abdulghani Bashir
Age unknown male shrapnel in the head injured
Adult female elderly woman killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sara Yousif lost her leg in an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qamihsli, October 10th, 2019 (via @zana_medi)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohamed Yousif Hussein was reported killed and his sister Sarah was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qamishli, October 10th, 2019. (via @RudawEnglish)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qamishli, October 10th 2019. (via @BaxtiyarGoran)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video of the surgery
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A 60 year old civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qadourbek neighborhood in Qamishli , October 10th 2019. (via @NPA_SY)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    8 years old Sarah Yousif Hussein lost her leg in an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qidorbak in Qamishli, October 10th 2019 (via @mutludc).
  • Image showing where an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qidorbak in Qamishli happened, October 10th 2019 (via @khabat_abas)
  • Image showing where an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qidorbak in Qamishli happened, October 10th 2019 (via @khabat_abas)
  • Image showing where an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qidorbak in Qamishli happened, October 10th 2019 (via @khabat_abas)
  • Image showing where an alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qidorbak in Qamishli happened, October 10th 2019 (via @khabat_abas)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Muhammad Yousef Hussein (11 - 13 yrs old) killed in alleged Turkish forces shelling on Qamishli - October 10th 2019, (via SN4HR)
  • Photo of Sarah Yusuf Husein (8) in the hospital, after the alleged Turkish airstrike in Qamishli on October 10th 2019, that killed her brother Mohammed (12). Sara lost her leg (via Hawar News).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Qadourbek neighborhood (القامشلي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.036389, 41.239444. 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
    4
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS338

Incident date

October 13, 2019

Location

عين العرب , Kobane, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.890678, 38.350390 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish bombing on Kobane.

ANHA reported: “Two civilians were injured due to the bombardment of the invading Turkish army against Kobanê.

The invading Turkish army continues to bomb civilian settlements.

In the bombing of Turkish soldiers in Kobanê, Cemîl Ehmed Ehmed (65) and Rûhilat Yildiz (20) were wounded.

The wounded were taken to the hospital for treatment. It was learned that their condition was good.”

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Cemîl Ehmed Ehmed
65 years old female injured
Rûhilat Yildiz
20 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture of one of the alleged victims (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kobane (عين العرب ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.890678, 38.350390. 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
    Airstrike
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS362

Incident date

October 22, 2019

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.848579, 40.073576 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were wounded in alleged Turkish sniper fire in Ras Al Ain.

Rojava Information Center tweeted: “Last night two refugee civilians in Til Temir tried to travel back into Sere Kaniye to check on their shop, now in the hands of Turkish-backed jihadi forces. A sniper opened fire on them and they came off their motorbike, suffering injuries”.

ANFEnglish added: “According to reports from the ground, residents of Serekaniye, who returned to the city to check their homes, were targeted by snipers of the occupation forces.” The report said that two civilians were injured in the attacks.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

35 years old injured
36 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian receives treatment following an alleged Turkish sniper fire in Ras al Ain, October 22nd (via ANHA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian receives treatment following an alleged Turkish sniper fire in Ras al Ain, October 22nd (via ANHA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian receives treatment following an alleged Turkish sniper fire in Ras al Ain, October 22nd (via ANHA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian receives treatment following an alleged Turkish sniper fire in Ras al Ain, October 22nd (via ANHA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian receives treatment following an alleged Turkish sniper fire in Ras al Ain, October 22nd (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ras Al Ain (رأس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.848579, 40.073576. 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
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]