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

TS324

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

بركي, Barki/Pirikê, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.237153, 42.185783 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that one civilian was killed and another wounded in alleged Turkish shelling in Barki village, Dirak/Al-Malikiyah.

@NPA_SY said: ” Artillery shelling by Turkish forces is affecting areas in the village of Barki, located in the countryside of the town of Malikiyah / Dirk, in the triangle of the Syrian-Iraqi-Turkish border, killing one person and injuring a Syrian civilian.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

alah Saeed Hamk
Age unknown male Named by Kurdish Red Crescent killed
Dani Brno Hanna
Age unknown Named by Kurdish Red Crescent injured

Summary

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian being treated in a medical facility following alleged Turkish shelling on Barki village, Dirak/Al-Malikiyah, Oct 12th.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Barki (Pirikê/بركي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.237153, 42.185783. 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
    1
  • 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

TS305A

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

القامشلي, Qamishli, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Ten named civilians including two women were reported injured in alleged Turkish forces airstrikes on different areas in Qamishli city on October 10th, 2019 according to local media sources and the Kurdish Red Crescent.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

30 years old male injured
30 years old male injured
39 years old male injured
38 years old male injured
45 years old female injured
35 years old female injured
28 years old male injured
19 years old male injured
40 years old male injured
25 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

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
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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

TS378

Incident date

October 31, 2019

Location

كفر لوسين, Kafr Loseen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.256732, 36.716308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed after he was shot allegedly by the Turkish forces near Kafr Loseen village, while he was trying to cross the borders with his brother to Turkey, on October 31st, 2019, according to local sources.

According to SMART agency, the victim was identified as Ahmed Kassem Khattab and the incident happened between midnight and two o’clock in the morning on that day.

No further details available.

The incident occured between 12:00 am and 2:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kafr Loseen (كفر لوسين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.256732, 36.716308. 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS393

Incident date

November 17, 2019

Location

مركز شرطة الباب, Al Bab Police Station, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.368250, 37.513367 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man was killed and “many” wounded in alleged Turkish fire in the city of Al Bab, Aleppo governorate, on November 17th, 2019, according to Hawar News Agency.

The men were reportedly taking part in a demonstration against the Turkish invasion of the city. Hawar News Agency wrote that civilians were attacked with “real bullets and gas bombs” by “Turkish soldiers and gangs”.

 

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

38 years old male killed
35 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Turkish soldiers allegedly attacked civilians in the city of Al Bab on November 17th, 2019 (via Hawar News Agency).

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention soldiers opening gunfire on a demonstration in the city of Al Bab (الباب). Investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed this location down to the entrance of Al Bab Police Station (مركز شرطة الباب), for which the exact coordinates are: 36.368250, 37.513367.

  • Reports of the incident mention soldiers opening gunfire on a demonstration in the city of Al Bab (الباب). Investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed this location down to the entrance of Al Bab Police Station (مركز شرطة الباب).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident. Tag A seems to be connected to a small road road which appears barely visible on the satellite imagery available to Airwars.

    Imagery:
    Hewar News

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident.

    Imagery:
    Hewar News

  • Satellite imagery showing the distribution of buildings tagged in the panoramic stitches.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS405

Incident date

January 9, 2020

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.391236, 38.858016 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were reported wounded when Turkish drones allegedly targeted an SDF Asayish (Kurdish Public Security Forces) checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa town, in Raqqa governorate of Syria, on January 9th, 2020. Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook Page said one of the civilians endured minor injuries.

@SDF_Syria and @Karl_hakon said that Turkey is continuing to target residential areas putting civilians lives at risk.

While most sources reported that one or two YPG members were injured in the attack, Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook Page said that two YPG/SDF members were killed in the attack. They posted: “The Murder of two #SDF fighters and a civilian got minor injuries as a result of the bombing with a Turkish drone of a checkpoint of #SDF at the entrance to the town of Ain Issa this afternoon.”

 

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Turkish drone strike on Asayish checkpoint in Ain Issa, Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via ANHA)
  • Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish drone attack on Ain Issa in Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via @HeyvasorUK).
  • Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish drone attack on Ain Issa in Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via @HeyvasorUK).

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) town, for which the exact coordinates are: 36.391236, 38.858016

  • Reports of the incident mention a strike on a checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) town

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Landmarks visible to the site of the strike

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Satellite imagery of the site with tagged landmarks

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Location of the water tower seen in the tagged frame

    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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS436

Incident date

May 17, 2020

Location

دير غصن, Deir Ghosn, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.105027, 41.803837 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), a civilian was killed when allegedly Turkish forces opened fire on farmers in Deir Ghosn in Hasaka, Syria on May 17th, 2020.

SANA said that “local sources told SANA’s reporter in Hasaka that at Sunday afternoon, Turkish occupation forces opened fire at farmers working in their fields in Deir Ghosn near the Turkish borders, killing one of the farmers.”

@NadiaAbidd wrote that “a civilian was shot dead by the #Turkish occupation forces while he was working on his farmland west of Al Malikiyah town in #Hasaka countryside.”

No more details are available at the moment.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Deir Ghosn (تل تمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.105027, 41.803837. 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
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS449

Incident date

October 9, 2020

Location

قرية بوراز، كوباني, Al-Boraz village, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two brothers, both children, were injured as a result of a Turkish or Turkey supported militants mortar shell on Boraz village in Kobani, Aleppo on October 9th, 2020 according to local sources.

The two children were identified by local sources as Muhammad Kamel aged 12, and his brother Mahmoud Kamel aged 14.

Ronahi reported that the two children were seriously injured and moved to hospital.

No further information is available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

12 years old male injured
14 years old male injured

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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Two children were injured as a result of a shell by Turkey or pro-Turkey militants in Boraz village in Kobani, on October 9th, 2020. (via ANHA)

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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI061

Incident date

June 5, 2021

Location

مخمور, Makhmour Refugee Camp, Erbil, Iraq

Geolocation

35.755637, 43.603063 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three people were killed and up to five others were injured in an alleged Turkish drone strike on Makhmour Refugee Camp south of Erbil in Kurdistan, Iraq. The Turkish government and their sources refer to those killed as members of the PKK while local and international sources refer to those killed and wounded as civilians.

The official of the National Union in Makhmour, Rashad Kalali, told Baghdad Today, “Turkish warplanes bombed Makhmour camp, located minutes ago, in the south of the district. The bombing targeted gardens for children inside the camp, which led to 3 casualties and 4 injuries,” explaining that “the camp is for Turkish refugees who have lived in it since 1997.”

A member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Gazi Kakai, also told Mangish “Turkish bombing targeted a refugee camp, specifically a park for children’s games, killing 3 and wounding 5 others” and “those who are inside the camp have nothing to do with the [Kurdistan Workers Party] PKK, and they have been in Makhmour since 1997 in accordance with the Refugee Protection Convention.”

The Kurdistan Party has referred to those killed as “civilians” and Deutsche Welle reported that “three civilians were killed and two more injured on Saturday in a Turkish missile attack on a refugee camp in northern Iraq.”

Hassan, a Kurdish resident of the camp from Turkey, told Middle East Eye: “Five, ten minutes before some airstrikes I was there. It was really, really bad. Two persons, two civilians, they got killed.”

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield tweeted that “I made clear to Turkish officials that any attack targeting civilians at Makhmour refugee camp would be a violation of international and humanitarian law.”

A few days prior to the incident, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to “clean up” Makhmour camp because it was being used as a base for the PKK.

According to Reuters, “Erdogan said that Selman Bozkir, who he said was a senior PKK official and manager of the Makhmour camp, had been “neutralised” – a term Turkish authorities use for targets who have been killed or wounded.” In addition, “an Iraqi security official said PKK officials at the camp had prevented police from entering the camp after the air strike, and declined to share details of the casualties.”

Daily Sabbah, a Turkish pro-government source, also added that “the PKK terrorist group’s so-called Makhmour regional leader in northern Iraq code-named “Doctor Hüseyin” was eliminated” and ” two more terrorists were neutralized in the operation,” referring to Makhmour as “portrayed as a refugee camp but actually serving as a recruitment and training area for the PKK.”

Kurdistan 24 reported “A security source who asked not to be named told Kurdistan 24 that the Turkish drone also struck a PKK outpost near the camp. “The Turkish drone targeted a headquarters of PKK militants located in the vicinity of the refugee camp,” they said, killing and wounding several PKK members.”

Tweeting about the incident in January 2022, @SimonaFoltyn said an Iraqi intel source told her those killed were fighters.

All of the sources that reported on the incident confirm that Turkey was responsible and the Turkish president took credit for the operation on Twitter, thanking his security forces for a successful operation and naming Selman Bozkir as being killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: The official of the National Union in Makhmour, Rashad Kalali, told (Baghdad Today), "Turkish warplanes bombed Makhmour camp, located minutes ago, in the south of the district." Kalali added, "The bombing targeted gardens for children inside the camp, which led to 3 casualties and 4 injuries," explaining that "the camp is for Turkish refugees who have lived in it since 1997." (Images from Baghdad Today)
  • Caption translation: The official of the National Union in Makhmour, Rashad Kalali, told (Baghdad Today), "Turkish warplanes bombed Makhmour camp, located minutes ago, in the south of the district." Kalali added, "The bombing targeted gardens for children inside the camp, which led to 3 casualties and 4 injuries," explaining that "the camp is for Turkish refugees who have lived in it since 1997." (Images from Baghdad Today)
  • Caption translation: The official of the National Union in Makhmour, Rashad Kalali, told (Baghdad Today), "Turkish warplanes bombed Makhmour camp, located minutes ago, in the south of the district." Kalali added, "The bombing targeted gardens for children inside the camp, which led to 3 casualties and 4 injuries," explaining that "the camp is for Turkish refugees who have lived in it since 1997." (Images from Baghdad Today)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a children’s playing ground within the Makhmour Refugee Camp (مخمور), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.755637, 43.603063. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Turkish Military

Here I want to give good news to our nation.

Selman Bozkır, code-named "Doctor Hüseyin", the senior manager of the terrorist organization PKK and the general manager of Mahmur, was neutralized by the heroes of our National Intelligence Organization yesterday.

On behalf of my nation, I would like to thank all my friends who contributed to this successful operation.

We will not allow the treacherous and separatist organization to use Mahmur as an "incubation center" for terrorism, and we will continue to dry terrorism at its source.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (20) [ collapse]