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

TS388

Incident date

November 9, 2019

Location

الهيشة, Al Hishah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.350000, 39.016667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and five others injured in an alleged Turkish forces drone strike on a group of civilians who worked in collecting cotton in Hishe/Kisha village, Ain Issa, Raqqa Governorate in Syria on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources.

Hanî Ehmed Al-Rawî (25) was reported among the killed in the attack and Elî Hemîd al-Khilal (45), Tariq al-Ehmed (30), Mihemed al-Ehmed (29) and Hemûd al-Ehmed (20) were among the injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

30 years old male injured
29 years old male injured
20 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Civilians reported killed and injured by an alleged Turkish drone strike on workers collecting cotton in Ain Issa on November 9th, 2019 (via ANHA)
  • Civilians reported killed and injured by an alleged Turkish drone strike on workers collecting cotton in Ain Issa on November 9th, 2019 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Hishah (الهيشة), for which the coordinates are: 36.350000, 39.016667. 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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS387

Incident date

November 9, 2019

Location

الديويرا‎ و تل حليف, Tal Halef and Al Diwera, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.823259, 40.040680 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Many civilians were reported killed and injured when Turkish forces allegedly opened fire on protesters in Tal Halef and Diwera villages in the vicinity of Ras Al Ayn – Syria on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources.

SANA reported that “10 civilians were suffocated due to the release of tear gas by the Turkish patrols, accompanied by Russian patrols, on the people who went out in protest against their passage in Al Jawadiya area in Hasaka countryside, while they kidnapped three young men from the village of Tal Jemma in the countryside of Ras Al Ain, while a civilian was killed as a result of torture”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Civilians protesting against Turkey were reported attacked in Ras Al Ayn villages on November 9th, 2019 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Tal Halef (تل حليف), for which coordinates are: 36.823259, 40.040680, and Al Diwera (الديويرا‎) at: 36.798889, 40.039722. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the villages of Tal Halef (تل حليف) and Al Diwera (الديويرا‎).

    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
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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

TS386

Incident date

November 9, 2019

Location

الدردارة, Al Dardara, Al Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.703333, 40.401667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One medical worker and one journalist were reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces drone attack on a vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces in Dildarê village, Tal Tamr, Hasaka in Syria on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources.

The medical worker working with the Kurdish Red Crescent and the German NGO CADUS was named as Aram Ehmed or Aram Hamidi (22 years old). He was quoted saying: “I was wounded by shrapnel, I still have a piece in my jaw. Here. And all my teeth are broken.” Local sources reported that the team of KRC was targeted while on their way to retrieve the injured in Dildara village.

The journalist injured is known to work for al-Ikhbariya Syrian television but no further details available.

The attack also killed between three and six Syrian regime forces’ soldiers and wounded between four and 35 others.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

22 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4–35

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aram Ahmed/Hamidi who works for the KRC and German NGO @cadus_org was injured in a drone attack allegedly by Turkey on Tal Tamr - Syria on 9 Nov 2019 (via @GforGilgo).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike in the vicinity of Al Dardara (الدردارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.703333, 40.401667. 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, Drone Strike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4–35

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS385 RS4150

Incident date

November 8, 2019

Location

سرمساخ, Sermisax, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.138889, 41.977500 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and between five and ten others wounded allegedly when Turkish or Russian forces opened fire on protesters in Sermisax, in Qamishli – Syria on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources.

ANHA reported that Serkheboon Ali was killed, and the following civilians were among the injured: Bahoz Çelo,  Fehed Mûsa, Sûhêl Ebdellah, and Eyîşa Omer û Alaa Omer.

The Kurdish Red Crescent report on the casualties caused by the Turkish operation between October 9th and November 14th mentioned that Serkheboon Ali was killed as a Turkish Tank ran over his body.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male from Dêrna Axê village injured
Age unknown male tear gas inhalation injured
Age unknown male Girkê Legê resident injured
Age unknown female Resident of Mistefawiyê village injured
Age unknown female Resident of Mistefawiyê village injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Serxwebûn Ali was killed in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • KRC list of civilians killed and injured between 09 October and 14 November 2019.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sermisax (سرمساخ), for which the coordinates are: 37.138889, 41.977500. 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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS383

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

القنطري, Al Qenteri, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.396389, 39.264444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces and/or Turkey-backed militants’ attack on Qenteri village, Tal Abyad in Raqqa – Syria.

The attack happened on November 6th 2019, according to local sources. No additional details are presently known.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the village of Al Qenteri (القنطري) for which the generic coordinates are 36.396389, 39.264444. 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
    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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS384

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

جامع الصديق , Al Seddiqe Mosque, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207338, 37.143774 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and “many” injured in an alleged Turkey-backed militants’ artillery attack on the Al-Cemîliye neighbourhood, in Aleppo, Syria, on November 6th, 2019 according to local sources.

The Al Siddiqe Mosque was reportedly targeted.

Some sources blamed the Jabhat al-Nusra group.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

bd al-Hadi Janbaz
28 years old male killed
Basil al-Dhafiri
29 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Unknown

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the attack.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the attack.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike in the vicinity of Al Seddiqe Mosque (جامع الصديق), within the Jamiliyeh (الجميلية) neighbourhood of Aleppo (ﺣَﻠَﺐ‎). The exact coordinates of the mosque are: 36.207338, 37.143774.

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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    5–8
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Unknown

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS384A

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Al Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.696047, 40.368058 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish drone attack on SDF militants in Tal Tamr, Hasaka in Syria on Nov 6th, 2019, according to local sources. It was also reported that “18 SDF soldiers” were killed in the attack.

No further details available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    18

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports on the incident mention strikes 4.5km north and 2km northwest of Tal Tamr (تل تمر). Their generic coordinates from the center of Tal Tamr are: 36.696047, 40.368058 (4.5km north) and 36.6634438, 40.3368188 (2km northwest)  

  • Reports on the incident mention drone strikes 4.5 km north and 2 km northwest of Tal Tamr (تل تمر)

    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
    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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    18

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS382A

Incident date

November 5, 2019

Location

كعن كورك, Kani Gawrk, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.431389, 36.764444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly civilian was reported killed after allegedly being assaulted by Turkey-backed militants in Kanî Gewirkê village, on the road between the city of Afrin and Jindiris, on November 5th 2019, according to local sources.

kurdistan24.net reported that Suleyman Hamko, aged 73 was killed by militants who are believed to belong to the Suleyman Shah Brigade, led by Mohammad al-Jassim, who is also known as Abu Amsha. The source also reported that this wasn’t the first time Suleyman was attacked, but he had been attacked twice before in Aug 2019 probably because of his political views against Turkey and the FSA.

Other sources said that Turkey-backed militants came to the victim’s house to “pillage his money”.

According to Afrin Centre “Mr. Hamko resisted them so they beat him, causing him to have internal brain haemorrhage”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • 73 years old Suleyman Hamko was reported killed by Turkey-backed militants in Afrin on November 5th, 2019 (via Kurdistan24).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kani Gawrk (كعن كورك), for which the coordinates are: 36.431389, 36.764444. 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
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]