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

TS511

Incident date

May 29, 2022

Location

معلق, Mu’allaq, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.388201, 38.862774 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a young man, was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Mu’allaq on the morning of May 29, 2022.

According to North Press Agency, a civilian was injured in shelling carried out by Turkish forces and their affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) faction on a village west of Ain Issa. The name of the young man that was injured is Fadi Khallawi and he was taken to Omar Alloush hospital in the town to receive treatment, and his condition is stable.

An Xeber24 correspondent from inside Ain Issa added that the shelling occurring in the morning in the village of Muallaq, resulting in the injury of one civilian.

All of the sources that reported on the incident blamed Turkish forces and identified one civilian as being wounded.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fadi Khalawi, a civilian injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Muallaq, west of Ain Issa on May 29, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mu’allaq (معلق), allegedly located west of Ain Issa (عين عيسى‎) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ain Issa are: 36.388201, 38.862774.

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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS537

Incident date

July 30, 2022

Location

السلماسه, Al Salmsaa, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.640463, 40.292959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured, one young man and a girl, in alleged Turkish shelling in the village of Al-Salamsa, in the countryside of Tal Tamr, in Al-Hassakah, Syria on July 30th 2022.

The injured were named by ANHA as Majda Khader al-Bibi, aged 16, and her brother, Hatem Khader al-Bibi, aged 24. They were reportedly taken to hospital.  A medical source at the Legarin Hospital told North Press Agency that they had recieved treatment and that their condition was stable.

The bombing was also reported to cause damage to civilian homes in the village.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Majda Khader al-Bibi
16 years old female injured
Hatem Khader al-Bibi
24 years old male

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Injured reportedly from Turkish shelling on Tal Tamr in Al-Hassakah on July 30th 2022 (Image via الجوكر نيوز Joker news / Facebook)
  • Injured reportedly from Turkish shelling on Tal Tamr in Al-Hassakah on July 30th 2022 (Image via الجوكر نيوز Joker news / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Salmsaa (السلماسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.640463, 40.292959. 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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS562

Incident date

October 27, 2022

Location

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4375, 36.968333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Aqiba on October 27, 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that two children were injured by Turkish shelling of civilian homes in the village of Aqiba. SOHR added that Turkish forces launched more than 15 artillery shells at the village of Oqiba and that the shelling came from Turkish forces stationed in the village of Jalbal.

Hawar News provided the names of the the two children injured: Samar Idris (4 years old) and Joan Idris (3 years old). Both children were transferred to the hospital in Tel Rifaat district for treatment.

Both of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Samar Idris
4 years old injured
Joan Idris
3 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Oqiba on October 27, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Oqiba on October 27, 2022. (Image posted by برجاف - FM)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Oqiba on October 27, 2022. (Image posted by برجاف - FM)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Oqiba on October 27, 2022. (Image posted by برجاف - FM)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Aqiba (عقيبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.4375, 36.968333. 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
    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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS592

Incident date

May 3, 2023

Location

بحيره, Bahira, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.108679, 40.862353 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 49 year old man was allegedly shot and injured by Turkish border guards in the village of Bahira on May 3, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a civilian was wounded by live bullets fired by the Turkish army. A relative of the injured civilian told a Hawar reporter that live bullets fired between 14:00 and 14:30 injured Abdelaziz Darbo, 49, in the village of Bahira. The bullet struck Abdelaziz in the back while he was watering his agricultural land, which was reported as not located along the Turkish border. He was taken to the People’s Hospital (Al-Shaab Hospital) in Amuda district. Hawar reported that at the time of publishing, Abdelaziz had been released from the hospital and was in stable condition. Xeber24 and ANF reported similar details.

The three sources that reported on the incident attributed the shooting to border guards.

The incident occured between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdelaziz Darbo
49 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bahira (بحيره), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.108679, 40.862353. 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 infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI092

Incident date

August 6, 2023

Location

قرية جنارتوي, Gnartuy Village, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Airwars assessment

On August 6th, 2023, an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Gnartuy village in Suliemaniah province, Iraq; according to Shafaq News, the strike killed one civilian and injured another, while Alaraby and Roj News reported that the strike injured two civilians.

Alaraby reported that one civilian was from Halabja and that another held Syrian Kurdish nationality, although information on the names or other information about those alleged wounded or killed cannot be found within the sources. The drone strike hit a civilian vehicle (a jeep) travelling between the Dukan and Khalkan district, and caused a fire to break out at the scene in addition to harming people.

Alaraby, speaking to security forces, reported that the drone’s provenance is unknown although a Kurdish security officer stated an investigation is underway, while both Shafaq News and Roj News alleged that the strike was Turkish. The Kurdish security officer stressed the strike “was not random, but targeted the vehicle specifically and not others” when speaking to Alaraby.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (3) [ 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
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS230

Incident date

February 26, 2018

Location

جيلمية, Celemeye, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.356111, 36.769722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported the injury of one civilian in an alleged Turkish shelling of Celemeye, Syria.

According to SDF Press, Turkey fired mortar shells on the village, “causing civilian casualties”.

7al reported that “the administration of the hospital Afrin said that the civilian Mohammed Omar Hamo (48 years) arrived at the hospital with several shrapnel wounds as a result of the bombing of the Turkish army on the village of Jalma, in the area of ​​Jindires”.

Yikiti media said that “many civilians were injured by this brutal bombing”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Hammo
48 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–10
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Omar Hammo, injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Celemeye, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Yikiti media)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Omar Hammo, injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Celemeye, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via IC AFrin resistance)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Omar Hammo, injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Celemeye, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via IC AFrin resistance)
  • Omar Hammo, injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Celemeye, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via IC AFrin resistance)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Celemeye, Jindires, Afrin (جيلمية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.356111, 36.769722. 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
    1–10
  • 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

TI001

Incident date

July 25, 2015

Location

العمادية, Amadiyah, Kurdistan, Iraq

Geolocation

37.092003, 43.486966 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Amadiyah, Iraq.

Iraqhurr reported intensive bombing on PKK positions in the area and said that it “led to the wounding of three civilians.”

Sputnik News also reported Turkish airstrikes in the area but did not mention civilian harm.

No additional details are presently known regarding this event.

The event coincided with a major Turkish ground and air operation against both ISIS and Kurdish forces in Syria, which the US-led Coalition later confirmed were unilateral actions by its erstwhile partner.

Turkey’s Prime Minister told reporters: “Bomb attacks were aimed at the known military targets, including Qandil in northern Iraq [notable as a sanctuary for the PKK], and at the most important command centers and weapon depots of ISIL in Syria. There were no civilians in these areas, none of them have died.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Amadiyah (العمادية), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.092003, 43.486966. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS305

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

Nayif Girê, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A civilian was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Nayif Girê village in Qamishli, on October 10th 2019, according to local media sources. The victim was named as Mihemed Ehmed El-Hemadî.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Nayif Gire village, Qamishli, October 10th, 2019 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Nayif Girê, 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
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]