Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

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Incident Code

TS581

Incident date

December 22, 2022

Location

كوباني , Zor Maghar, west of Ain Al-Arab( kobani), countryside of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On December 22nd 2022, three civilians, working for the Water Directorate in Kobani, were reportedly injured while doing maintenance work by Turkish artillery or heavy weapons in Zor Maghar village (or Sheikh Fawqani village or Al-Shuyukh village), west of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The wounded were taken to Al-Amal hospital for treatment, located in Kobani city. Another source added that the shelling caused the destruction of a car and damage to a water station. Another civilian – a man, was allegedly injured in Jarqali village, west of Kobani, earlier the same day, by Turkish shelling.

The three maintenance workers injured were identified by local sources as Muslim Khalil Ismail (also referred to as “Muslim Hamo”), Bozan Sheikh Nabi, and Fadel Bazar. A medical source said that “their injuries ranged from serious to superficial” and that they were “under health monitoring in the intensive care unit”, while a source quoting the official website of the Autonomous Administration, said the injuries were “critical”.  According to two co-chairs of the Kobani Water Directorate of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), “the injured are workers and supervisors of water pumps that push water from the Euphrates River to Kobani, and their usual work is to supervise and maintain the pumps.” SOHR claimed “four civilians” were “seriously injured”. No details were provided regarding the identity of the fourth civilian injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muslim Khalil Ismail (Muslim Hamo)
55 years old male injured
Bozan Sheikh Nabi
48 years old male injured
Fadel Bazar
49 years old male injured

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • In front of al-Amal Hospital in Kobani city, families of civilians working for the Water Directorate who were reportedly injured in Turkish shelling on December 22nd 2022. Photo: NPA

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the three civilians in Al-Amal hospital, Kobani city, after being reportedly injured by Turkish artillery while doing maintenance in a water station on December 22nd 2022. Photo: ANHA English
  • A car was destroyed by a reported Turkish shelling close to Kobani city on December 22nd 2022. Source: Hawarnes
  • A water station was reportedly damaged by Turkish shelling in Kobani countryside on December 22nd 2022. Photo: Ezdina

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Three workers from Kobani Water Directorate were injured during a Turkish strike by heavy weapons" Source: ANHA

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS613

Incident date

July 22, 2023

Location

عزمارين, Azmarin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.055887, 36.401023 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 22nd July 2023, two civilians were reportedly injured by gunfire from Turkish border forces on the Syrian-Turkish border near the village of Azmarin, Harem in Western Idlib.

The North Press reported that both Manaf Azaddin and Yamen al-Sufarani were injured when attempting to cross the border, one in the morning and the other in the evening. The source added that the two injured Syrians were detained by the Turkish border guards, “and what followed is unknown.”

15 other civilians, including six women and their children, were allegedly detained in the two crossing attempts with their personal data and eye prints logged to prevent their entry.

This version of events was reported by several news outlets, including Shaba Al Hadath and Ronahi TV conforming to the narrative provided by the North Press.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Manaf Azaddin مناف عز الدين
Age unknown injured
Yamen al-Sufarani were injured يامن السفراني
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Azmarin (عزمارين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.055887, 36.401023. 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
    Ground operation
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS642

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

مدينة نبل, Nubul, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 5 October 2023, a civilian was killed and “dozens” of others were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the city of Nubul.

Fox Press reported that a civilian was killed and several others were injured when Turkish forces and their factions allegedly shelled the city of Nubul at dawn. According to Nubul City News, the man who was killed was 50 years old – he was returning home when he was killed, and Aleppo News identified the man as “retired Colonel Younis Younis“.

Press News reported that “dozens” of civilians were wounded by the shelling.

Images posted by Nubul News show the significant material damage caused by the shelling.

Nubul City posted that the Younes Younes was buried at the Martyrs’ Cemetery and condolences would occur at Imam Zain Al-Abidin Mosque, Eastern District

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Younis Younis يونس يونس
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city news facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Press News facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nubul city facebook

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
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

TS154

Incident date

February 3, 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

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported the injury of six civilians in Rajo, Syria. It named the victims and listed injuries.

The weapon used was not reported.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Joan Mohammed Baker
35 years old male Bruises injured
Sheyar Khalil
32 years old male Head injury injured
Khalil Ahmad
43 years old male Shrapnel in the head injured
Mustafa Alo
31 years old male Shoulder injury injured
Othman Mohammed
32 years old male Various shrapnel wounds in the body injured
Akkash Dawood
66 years old male Various shrapnel wounds in both sides injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS185

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Location

بيباكا, Bibaka, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.770899, 36.818318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery attack on his home in Bibaka village, according to a single source.

The victim, Şiyar Bekir, spoke to the source IC Afrin resistance: “My name is Siyar Bekir. I am from Bibaka village in Bilbil. Yesterday [February 11th] at 7:30 pm they threw mortars on my house. I don’t really know which weapon, maybe mortars, maybe rockets. I was injured here. My stomach was also injured and I got shrapnel in my leg. It was the Turkish army. They call us terrorists but we’re not. I normally fix the generators in my village. What did we do to them? We are civilians, not soldiers. And they threw five rockets on us.”

The incident occured at 19:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Şiyar Bekir
Age unknown 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 (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Interview with the victim who was wounded by alleged Turkish strikes in Bibaka village, Aleppo on 11 February, 2018 (via IC Afrin resistance)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Bibaka, Aleppo (بيباكا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.770899, 36.818318. 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS217

Incident date

February 20, 2018

Location

حي الأشرفيه, Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including four children from the same family were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Afrin city’s Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, local media reported.

According to SDF Press, the Turkish invasion army used heavy weapons to target civilian neighbourhoods in Afrin at night and focused on the bombing of Ashrafieh.

Multiple sources have identified six named the victims.

Hewar news reported that six civilians were injured and seven cars were burned by the Turkish bombing.

Mutlu Civiroglu published a video showing burning cars following reported artillery attacks. The report added that sources said jets are flying over the skies.

Hawar news provided some more detail, explaining that the Turkish occupation army shelled late last night the centre of Afrin district, injuring six members of one family, and burning seven cars. This happened at about 1 am after midnight, with artillery shells landing in populated areas.

The father of the injured children spoke to Dilsoz dildar: “I have four kids, we were at home, we switched the lights out and went to bed. A plane fired at our house and the ceiling fell on top of us while we were asleep. God, the neighbours and the young men came and pulled us out from under the roof. I have two rooms in my house they both collapsed, we came out injured and broken. This is a local neighbourhood there are no military no brigades no weapons.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Raghad Fawaz al Abdo
8 years old female via Tahleel news injured
Omar Fawaz al Abdo
10 years old male via Tahleel news injured
Fawaz Hamam al Abdo
41 years old male via Tahleel news injured
Abdel rahman Fawaz al abdo
10 years old male via Tahleel news injured
Jumaa Fawaz al Abdo
14 years old via Tahleel news injured

The victims were named as:

Awwash Mustapha Jassem
35 years old via Tahleel news injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • An image shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Turkish shelling on Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: Afrin the heart of the event)
  • An image shows a man at the hospital, injured following an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: dilsoz dildar‏ )
  • An image shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: Afrin the heart of the event)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child with his Mother, injured following an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: Afrin the heart of the event)
  • A list from the hospital indicates the civilians names, who were injured following an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin (source @osman_sarot)
  • An image shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Turkish shelling on Afrin 20th February 2018. (‏Source: @bnt3frin)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a child, treating at the hospital following an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source 7al)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows a child at the huspital getting a treatment fowling an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (source @osman_sarot)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (source @osman_sarot)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a man, injured followed alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (source @osman_sarot)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (source @osman_sarot)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Several videos, show the moment of the shelling by alleged Turkish on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (source: Mutlu Civiroglu)

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    Footage shows several children and a man at the hospital injured following an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: Hewar news)
  • An image shows the civilian car that was targeted by an alleged Turkish shelling in Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: ANHA)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child, injured following an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: ANHA)
  • A picture shows a man, injured following an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: ANHA)
  • An image shows the civilian car that was targeted by an alleged Turkish shelling in Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: ANHA)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child, injured following alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin 20th February 2018. (Source: ANHA)
  • Footage shows several cars burned following alleged Turkish shelling on Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin, 20th February 2018. (Source: Mutlu Civiroglu)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin (حي الأشرفيه), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. 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
    6
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS292

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Location

Mishrafa village, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.804224, 40.108060 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the first civilian casualty incident for “Operation Peace Spring” – Turkey’s offensive on Kurdish-led militias in northeast Syria – one or two civilians were killed and a further two injured in Mishrafa village, according to various sources on the ground.

All known sources attributed responsibility to Turkish airstrikes and reported that two civilians were killed.

The CEO of DeirEzzor24, Omar Abu Layla, tweeted that the two young men who had been killed in the strikes were from the Tal Diab village.

Mishrafa village is to the west of Ras al Ayn, a city that thousands of civilians were reportedly fleeing when “indiscriminate artillery and air bombardment” from Turkey began.

By 18:25 local time, the Coordination and Military Ops Centre of the SDF tweeted that Mishrafa had been emptied of civilians following the strikes.

Turkey’s long-planned offensive on the northeast began as US troops pulled back from the border areas earlier this week, after President Trump gave the green light for the Turkish invasion in an unexpected announcement on Sunday evening.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Basel Moudar Al Hamdal
20 years old male injured
Basel Matar Mohammad
19 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • 9th to 13th of october docx

    Kurdish Red Crescent list of casualties between 9 and 13 October 2019

  • A wounded civilian following an alleged Turkish strike on Mishrafa Village, Oct 9th (via Rudaw)
  • A civilian (right), reportedly wounded in an alleged Turkish strike on Mishrafa Village, Oct 9th (via Rudaw)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mishrafa village, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.804224, 40.108060. 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
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS326

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

تل أبيض, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.690203, 38.947563 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, Mukhtar Mahmoud Allawi (seven-years-old) was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Tal Abyad, according to local media.

@Raqqa_SL said the little boy was “burned”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mukhtar Mahmoud Allawi
Child male injured

Summary

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Abyad (تل أبيض), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.690203, 38.947563. 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
    1
  • 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]