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

TS165

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Location

ماسكا, Maska, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.648611, 36.678889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local reports, up to 4 civilians were injured followed an alleged Turkish air strike on Maska.

Kurdhr indicated that the Turkish air force targeted the village of Maskah in the Jundair district of Jandairis with two air raids, injuring more than 4 civilians.

Rumaf reported that many civilians were wounded in the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Maska, Aleppo (ماسكا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.648611, 36.678889. 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
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS197

Incident date

February 14, 2018

Location

قرية بيكه، عفرين, Beeka village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.767778, 36.816944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Rumaf sent a private report to Airwars alleging that that two civilians were wounded in Turkish shelling of Beeka village. 

Amina Rasheed Sidou, aged 42, from the village of Bibaku in the town of Bulbulah, expressed her deep anger over the targeting of the village by the Turkish occupation army. She confirmed that she did not give up her village and would not give up. But it will not allow Erdogan and his allies to seize one piece of the territory of the province.

Please note that the private report alleged that the civilians were injured on the 15th, however the other sources reported they were injured on the 14th. There are no other details regarding this at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amina Rashid Seedo al Omar
42 years old female hit in the back with shrapnel injured
Naima Rashid Seedo al Omar
58 years old female hit in the face with shrapnel injured

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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of Naima Rashid Seedo al Omar, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Beeka village, 14th/15th February 2018. (via: jin news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Beeka village, Afrin (قرية بيكه، عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.767778, 36.816944. 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS261

Incident date

March 10, 2018

Location

عنابكي, A'nabki, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.515724, 36.952900 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to two local sources, two civilians were wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling on the village Annabeki, part of Shara East of Afrin, Syria.

Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath, identified the two males civilians who were injured in the incident, accusing the Turkish military of the shelling.

Xeber24 also named the two victims.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male via Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath injured
Age unknown male via Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath injured

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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows one of the victims, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on A'nabki, Afrin 10th March 2018. (via: Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows one civilian being treated at the medical centre followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath, 10th March 2018. (via: Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath)
  • A picture shows a mortar bomb that landed in the street in Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath, 10th march 2018. (via: Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on in Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath, 10th march 2018. (via Afrin Qalb Al-Hadath)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of A’nabki, Afrin (عنابكي), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.515724, 36.952900. 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS304

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

Qamishli: Qidurbek, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.061667, 41.234444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including a child and a woman died in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Qidurbek neighbourhood in Qamishli – Hasaka governorate on October 10th 2019, accoridng to local sources.

Smart News said that two civilians “were injured in Turkish artillery shelling on Qidurbek neighbourhood in al-Qamishli city of Hasaka.”

ANHA reported that Beşir Mihemed Kebûş was killed and her son Ehmed Abdullah lost his foot as a result of the airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult female killed
Child male injured

The victims were named as:

Age unknown killed
Child male killed

Summary

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

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
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS306C

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

علي باجلية, Baciliye/El-Elî Baciliye, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.543846, 38.984213 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reported killed and four others injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Baciliye village in Tal Abyad on October 10th 2019, according to local media sources.

@PLisboaab said the attack occurred at 18:50 local time.

The incident occured at 18:50:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Baciliye/El-Elî Baciliye (علي باجلية), for which the generic coordinates for are: 36.543846, 38.984213. 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
    4
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS360

Incident date

October 19, 2019

Location

سلوك‎, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.597801, 39.127185 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

@TurkeyUntold tweeted: “A SOHR [Syrian Observatory for Human Rights] video shows  the execution of 4 persons including fighters of the SDF  by the Turkey backed gangs in Sluk town, southeast of Girê Spî / Tel Abyad”.

@zana_medi tweeted the same video, stating that “Turkish forces are seen executing unarmed people”.

There is, therefore, uncertainty over the victims’ combat status.

Additionally, it is unclear when this incident occurred, though sources published the footage on October 19th.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–4

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A video monitors the execution of 4 persons including fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces by the pro-Turkey factions in Sluk town" (via SO4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A video monitors the execution of 4 persons including fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces by the pro-Turkey factions in Sluk town" (via SO4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A video monitors the execution of 4 persons including fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces by the pro-Turkey factions in Sluk town" (via SO4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A video monitors the execution of 4 persons including fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces by the pro-Turkey factions in Sluk town" (via SO4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Suluk (سلوك‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.597801, 39.127185. 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
    0 – 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–4

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS370a

Incident date

October 26, 2019

Location

كوباني, Kobane, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One civilian aged 17, named as Ahmad Khaled, was reported injured by an alleged Turkish forces attack on Kobane in Aleppo governorate – Syria on October 26th, 2019, according to the Kurdish Red Crescent.

No more details available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Khaled
17 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kobane (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
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

TI031

Incident date

November 19, 2019

Location

خانصور, Khanasor, Sinjar, Iraq

Geolocation

36.47777, 41.61138 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a Turkish drone attacked areas in Shingal region in Iraq on November 19th, 2019 causing deaths and injuries among civilians and YPG fighters.

@murad_ismael reported “Another Turkish airstrike today [Nov 19th] on town of Khanesor. Reportedly there are civilian victims which are yet to be confirmed.”

@ameddicleT added that “Turkish armed unmanned aerial vehicles bombed Khanasor town at noon”.

There is obvious ambiguity as to what the airstrike targeted and who got killed and injured. Some sources reported that the airstrike targeted the house of Elias Dero Hasan Dero, who is “member of the Democratic Party of #Ezidis in #Shingal and has no connection with the #PKK or #YPG.” according to Ezidipress. The same source also said that “close to Dero’s house is a base of the YPG, which was obviously the target of the #Turkish air strike.”

@fekerhoor said that the airstrike targeted “a Kia car carrying six Syrian fighters and Turks, while they were leaving the headquarters of YPG {Sinjar Protection Units}, in the Kansour district of Sinjar, west of Mosul, the Nineveh center.”

NRT said that five YPG fighters were injured in this incident. @xalfxalt tweeted that there have been casualties and deaths as a result of this attack, and so reported Kirkuknow saying that resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians. Dwarozh said the attack killed five people and injured one person without specifying whether they were civilians or not. From their side, Xinhua said that the attack “left 20 militiamen killed and wounded, the Iraqi military said.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Name unknown

Family members

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • "Turkish warplanes bomb the Yazidi town of Khanasor in Sinjar." (via @Ezidi2).
  • "Turkish warplanes bomb the Yazidi town of Khanasor in Sinjar." (via @Ezidi2).
  • Elias Dero, a politician whose house was a target of the Turkish airstrike on Khanasor, Iraq on November 19th, 2019 (via Ezidipress)
  • Location of the Turkish airstrike on Khanasor (via Khanasor)
  • Targets of the Turkish airstrike in Khanasor, Iraq (via NRT).
  • Aftermath of the Turkish airstrike in Khanasor, Iraq (via NRT).
  • A car burned down due to Turkish airstrikes in Khana Sor, in the Sinune sub-district of Shingal Nov.19.2019. (via: Kirkuk Now)
  • Aftermath of the Turkish airstrike on Khansour in Iraq on Nove 19th, 2019 (via @anmab1121)
  • "Security sources in Sinjar district: Turkish warplanes bombed a headquarters of the Yazidi Sinjar Protection Units in the Khansour complex." (via @AdnanAwadh)
  • "Security sources in Sinjar district: Turkish warplanes bombed a headquarters of the Yazidi Sinjar Protection Units in the Khansour complex." (via @AdnanAwadh)
  • "Turkish air strikes on a headquarters of the Shankal resistance units in the Khansour compound, northwest of Sinjar district." (via@aamerbabeer)
  • "Turkish air strikes on a headquarters of the Shankal resistance units in the Khansour compound, northwest of Sinjar district." (via@aamerbabeer)
  • "Turkish planes bombed the site Pkk targeting the house (Elias Deru) in the Khansour complex of Sunoon district, I hope without human losses .. 19/11/2019." (via @khalidqa20011).
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike hit the house of Ezidi politician Elias Dero in the city #Khanasor, Nov 19th, 2019 (via @Welatpa00428651)
  • Car hit by a Turkish airstrike on in Iraq on Nov 19th, 2019 (via Sotkurdistan).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khanasor (خانصور), for which the generic coordinates are:36.47777, 41.61138. 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]