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

TS379

Incident date

November 2, 2019

Location

عين الهوى, Aniq Al Hawa, Al Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.778612, 40.313230 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reportedly executed, allegedly by Turkey-backed militants in Aniq Al Hawa village in Ras Al Ayn, Syria, on November 2nd, 2019 according to local sources.

The sources reported that Turkey-backed militants disguised in Syrian regime forces clothing executed the four civilians.

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
    4
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Aniq Al Hawa (عين الهوى), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.778612, 40.313230. 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
    4
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS378b

Incident date

November 1, 2019

Location

السباتية, Al Sibatya, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.738194, 40.174097 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, three civilians were killed and one other injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Tal Tamr in Hasaka governorate in Syria on November 1st, 2019.

The civilians killed were all males and identified as Abdulazeez Salih al Hesh, Mahmoud Ahmad Muhammad and Muhammad Ali Khuwam. Ali Ezizi, was also injured in the attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a civilian was killed and others were injured”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulazeez Salih al Hesh
Age unknown male KRC killed
Ali Ezizi
42 years old male KRC injured
Mahmoud Ahmad Muhammad
62 years old male KRC killed
Muhammad Ali Khuwam
56 years old male KRC injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sibatya (السباتية), allegedly located along the road connecting Tal Tamr (تل تمر) to Ras Al Ayn (رأس العين) in the north. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the road are: 36.738194, 40.174097.

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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
    3
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS378A

Incident date

October 31, 2019

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.655309, 40.372388 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, four civilians including a woman were reported injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Tal Tamr in Hassakah governorate in Syria on October 31st, 2019.

No additional information about this event is presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ebrahim Khaled al Khalaf
60 years old male KRC injured
Teffaha Ali al Salih
55 years old female KRC injured
Mahmoud Khalaf
38 years old male KRC injured
Ahmad Taha Mansour
40 years old male KRC injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Tamr (تل تمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.655309, 40.372388. 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
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS377

Incident date

October 31, 2019

Location

تالوارد, Tal Ward, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.798839, 40.341969 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed and five others injured in an alleged attack by Turkey-backed militants on Tal Ward in Zirgan town – Ras Al Ain in Hasaka governorate, on October 31st, 2019, according to local sources.

@Raman_Hassi reported that Ibrahim Mohammed Khalaf (60) and his wife Tofaha Ali Saleh (55) were both killed in the attack. One of their relatives, Mehmud Mihemed Khalaf, was also killed, according to ANF. Sources reported five other people were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

60 years old male husband of Tofaha Ali Saleh killed
55 years old female wife of Ibrahim Mohammed Khalaf killed
38 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

40 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman2 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tofaha Ali Saleh was killed in an alleged artillery attack by Turkey-backed militants on Tal Ward - Hasaka on October 31st 2019 (via @Gasteci_Eskin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ibrahim Mohammed Khalaf was killed together with his wife Tofaha Ali Saleh in alleged Turkish shelling on the town of Tal Ward on October 31st, 2019 (via @Raman_Hassi).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tofaha Ali Saleh was killed together with her husband Ibrahim Mohammed Khalaf in alleged Turkish shelling on the town of Tal Ward on October 31st, 2019 (via @Raman_Hassi).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Ward (تالوارد), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.798839, 40.341969. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman2 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS378

Incident date

October 31, 2019

Location

كفر لوسين, Kafr Loseen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.256732, 36.716308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed after he was shot allegedly by the Turkish forces near Kafr Loseen village, while he was trying to cross the borders with his brother to Turkey, on October 31st, 2019, according to local sources.

According to SMART agency, the victim was identified as Ahmed Kassem Khattab and the incident happened between midnight and two o’clock in the morning on that day.

No further details available.

The incident occured between 12:00 am and 2:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 Kafr Loseen (كفر لوسين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.256732, 36.716308. 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
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

TS376

Incident date

October 30, 2019

Location

تل جبل , Tal Jabal, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.687974, 40.197576 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces artillery attack on Tal Jabal, Ras Al Ain in Hassakah Governorate in Syria, on October 30th, 2019, according to local sources. ANHA identified the woman as Wedhe Salih, 20 years old.

The woman’s husband described how his wife was injured: “Our village Til Cebel was under the blockade. In order to escape from the gangs, we wanted to go to QSD’s points in the village of Erisha. The invading Turkish army and gangs bombed the area. When we reached the village, the gangs scanned us. A bullet came into my wife’s chest”. Her husband borrowed a motorcycle to move her to the hospital.

 

 

The incident occured at 16:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

20 years old female injured

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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A woman was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces artillery attack on Tal Jabal in Hasaka governorate on October 30th, 2019. (Via ANHA).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Jabal (تل جبل), allegedly within or in the vicinity of Al Manajir (المناجير) town Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Manajir are: 36.687974, 40.197576.

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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS375A

Incident date

October 29, 2019

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.655309, 40.372388 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians (a child aged 10 and a woman aged 21) were reported injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Tal Tamr in Hasaka governorate in Syria on October 29th, 2019 according to the Kurdish Red Crescent who identified the child as Khedir Muhammad al Zahir, and the woman as Wadha Salih Abdo.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khedir Muhammad al Zahir
10 years old male KRC injured
Wadha Salih Abdo
21 years old female KRC injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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
    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 Tal Tamr (تل تمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.655309, 40.372388. 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
  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS375

Incident date

October 29, 2019

Location

درباسية, Dirbesiye, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.072778, 40.651944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians including two journalists were reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces artillery attack on a Russian convoy in Dirbesiye, Hassakah on October 29th, 2019 according to local sources. Two Russian soldiers were also reported injured in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

40 years old male injured
37 years old male injured
23 years old male injured
39 years old male injured
Hareth Muslim
Age unknown male KRC injured
Kaniwar Mela Ali
Age unknown male KRC injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured in an alleged Turkish forces artillery attack on a Russian convoy in Hassaka - October 29th 2019 - via ANF
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • A civilian injured in an alleged Turkish attack on a Russian convoy in Dirbesiye. (Via: @vvanwilgenburg)
  • A civilian injured in an alleged Turkish attack on a Russian convoy in Dirbesiye. (Via: @vvanwilgenburg)
  • Images of the Russian convoy allegedly targeted by a Turkish forces attack in Dirbesiye (October 29th 2019). Via 24English

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dirbêsiyê (درباسية), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.072778, 40.651944. 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
    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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (14) [ collapse]