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

TS094

Incident date

January 13, 2018

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish artillery raid on Afrin. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin “injured two citizens. One of them is a child. Additionally, a fighter of YPG was killed in the shelling.” There are no reports of civilian casualties.

RT and Bas News reported that the village was under Kurdish protection at the time of the airstrike. Further to this, it was reported that the shelling occoured for no less than two hours, causing much material damage.

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin (عفرين), 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
    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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS158

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Location

بلبلة, Bulbul, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent listed one civilian was wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Bulbul, Syria.

The type of weapon is unknown.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fa’iq Abdulrahman Rasho
60 years old injury to the face 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Bulbul, Afrin, Aleppo (بلبلة), 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

TS189

Incident date

February 12, 2018

Location

هيكجة, Heikja, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5232944, 36.6012955 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Afrin Now reported the injury of one civilian, “Hussein Suleiman, 37 years old, from the village of Heikja, Shih district” in an alleged Turkish shelling near his home in Heikja village.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Suleiman
37 years old male 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Heikja, Afrin (هيكجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.5232944, 36.6012955. 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

TS296

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Location

Tirbe-Sipi, Eastern Qamishli, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.026914, 41.545174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and up to 10 more were injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Tirbe-Sipi, Eastern Qamishli, according to local media.

@NPA_SY reported one civilian death – and the injury of six more.

Other sources put the number of wounded at four or five.

Yehya Ibrahim Aljasem, 25-years-old, was named as killed.

Buyerpress noted the injury of a “six-year-old child”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Majid Hamo
37 years old male Kurdish Red Crescent injured
Jamil Hamo
50 years old male Kurdish Red Crescent injured
Hussien Hamo
10 years old male Kurdish Red Crescent injured
Abdulghani Hamo
17 years old male Kurdish Red Crescent injured
Yehya Ibrahim Aljasem
25 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

16 years old injured
Hamid Riyad
23 years old male injured
Turkiya Hajji
16 years old female injured
Abdulghani delf
15 years old male injured
Ali Said
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Othman
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–10
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rises over Tirbe-Sipi, Eastern Qamishli, Hasaka Governorate, Oct 9th, following an alleged Turkish strike (via Bakur)
  • Smoke rises over Tirbe-Sipi, Eastern Qamishli, Hasaka Governorate, Oct 9th, following an alleged Turkish strike (via Buyerpress)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tirbe-Sipi, Eastern Qamishli, for which the generic coordinates are: 37.026914, 41.545174. 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
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–10
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS331

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

الحوارنة, Hawarna , Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.852291, 40.079842 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published a video of an injured child. The video mentions that this girl was wounded after a strike hit her house. She mentions that her parents were in the house, although it is not clear if they were injured/killed in the attack.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A wounded girl following an alleged Turkish strike on her home in Hawarna neighbourhood, eastern Ras al-Ain, Hasaka Governorate, Syria, oct 12th (via SO4HR)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Hawarna (الحوارنة), in the city of Ras al-Ayn (رأس العين) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.852291, 40.079842. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Hawarna (الحوارنة), in the city of Ras al-Ayn (رأس العين).

    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 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS340

Incident date

October 14, 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

Local media reported that one civilian died and two were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Ras Al Ain.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Wounded civilian taken into the hospital in Ras Al Ain after alleged Turkish shelling on the city on October 14th 2019 (via Hawar News).

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS350B

Incident date

October 19, 2019

Location

راس 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

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, four people were reported injured with a bomb fragments, allegedly launched by a Turkish forces attack on Ras Al Ain on October 19th, 2019.

Other sources also reported a Turkish attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Redwan Mousa
25 years old male injured
Ali Abdul Rahman
70 years old male injured
Mahmoud Hassan Muhammad
28 years old male injured
Maryam Muhammad jeloud
25 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

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
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS381

Incident date

November 3, 2019

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ayn, Al Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.849378, 40.068785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces and/or Turkey-backed militants’ attack in Zirqan district, Hasaka, Syria on November 3rd, 2019.

ANHA reported that Seyîd Hewaş, who was a security guard in the tomb of Sheikh Hisên in the village of Lazqe in Zirgan district was killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Mausoleum of Sheikh Hisên, allegedly in the vicinity of Ras Al Ayn (رأس العين). The generic coordinates for Ras Al Ayn are: 36.849378 40.068785. 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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]