Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

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Turkish Military
Country
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Incident Code

TS061

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and eight civilians including three women and up to two children died in alleged Turkish shelling on Al Bab, according to sources on the ground.

Alsharq Alarabi named three female civilians as killed in “shelling” on Al Bab, but didn’t identify the culprit.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “eight civilians were killed by the Turkish bombardment in al Bab and Tadef, including two women and two children, while others were wounded.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Nafos
Age unknown female named by Alsharq Alarabi killed
The wife of Khaled Mohammed Al-Sheikh
Adult named by Alsharq Alarabi killed
The daughter of Khalid Mohammed Sheikh
Child female named by Alsharq Alarabi killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (1 child1–3 women)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab city (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. 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
    3 – 8
  • (1 child1–3 women)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS327 TS005

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الثلثانة, Taltanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.44605, 37.34302 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 19 civilians including 3 children were killed – and as many as 41 people injured – when airstrikes hit the village of Al Thaltanah. Multiple reports initially assigned blame to the Coalition or Turkish forces. However, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition conceded it had injured one civilian in the event.

The Syrian Network and Syria News Desk reported that seven civilians died, and assigned responsibility to the Coalition. Several other reports also blamed the Coalition. The Syrian Observatory reported that “warplanes” targeted the village “inhabited by Kurdish civilians,” leaving 60 civilian casualties, including 13 confirmed civilian deaths.

In a separate report, the Observatory clarified the airstrikes were carried out “likely by Turkish warplanes,” and reported that the death toll rose to 19 civilians, including 3 children, noting “the number of the dead is likely to rise.” ISIL’s news arm Al A’maq News reported that 10 civilians died and several were injured in an “American raid.”

Reflecting the confusion, al Jazeera cited the Observatory and wrote, “it was unclear whether the strike was carried out by the US-led coalition fighting ISIL, or Turkey, which is leading an operation against the group in the area with support from Syrian rebel forces.”

In its December 1st report the Coalition stated: “During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.”

This was later amended on April 30th 2017: “Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.”

Halab News identified 11 civilians, 9 of which it named, who it said were victims of “Coalition plane shelling.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown from Kafr Sgheer village killed
Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Mohammad Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mustapha Yahyia al Ibo
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Illo al Haj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Yahiya Yusuf Al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Yahyia al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Qarmatli
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Satellite images show recent attack resulted from an airstrike, UN says, as battle for Aleppo sees more children killed", November 2016. (via Al-Jazeera)
  • Location of the village where the air strike took place, November 2016. (via Eastern Manbij countryside)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.4457989, 37.3436021

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Taltanah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA515347
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Dec 1, 2016

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Taltanah, Syria: During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 3rd-4th 2016, the Coalition reported no strikes in the near vicinity, though others for Aleppo governorate: ”Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL machine gun. Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS497

Incident date

April 1, 2022

Location

القحطانية, “M4” international highway, Al-Qahtaniyah town, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.003879, 41.536744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was killed and two others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a car traveling on the “M4” international highway near Al-Qahtaniyah town on April 1, 2022. The combatant status of one of the people injured is contested due to his role in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), while the others killed and wounded were identified as members of the SDF.

Hawar News quoted the Syrian Democratic Forces, who “announced that a Turkish occupation drone targeted a car of the Self-Defense Forces, killing one person and injuring two, including the poet Farhad Mardi.” Syria TV reported his condition to be “serious, and he was immediately transferred to a military hospital in the city of Qamishli for treatment.”

The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces issued a statement: “This afternoon, the occupation launched a drone attack targeting a vehicle belonging to the Self-Defense Forces.  As a result, our comrade Dirar Juma Hamza was martyred and two of our comrades were injured, including the well-known poet Farhad Mardi. The condition of our wounded comrades is good.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) described the location of the incident as occurring on the M4 international highway south of Al-Qahtaniyah town, adding that “the car was heading from Al-Tabqah city to Al-Qahtaniyah area to celebrate Assyrian day”.

SOHR also described the poet Farhad Mardi as someone who was “elected to be a member of “Self-Defence” to be a cheerleader for young men”, putting his combatant status into question. However, Syria TV reported that “Mardi is considered one of the first members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and he has dozens of songs and poems in support of the party, as well as anti-Turkey and Kurdish parties opposing the PKK”.

According to Syria TV, the vehicle that was hit by the drone strikes was a “a military transport vehicle (van) of the Hyundai H1 type” and that the people in the vehicle were an SDF member, who was killed, and two PKK cadres, who were injured.

All of the sources that reported on the incident blamed Turkish forces and specifically identified a drone as being involved in the attack.

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
    0–1
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Vehicle destroyed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle south of Al-Qahtaniyah town on April 1, 2022. (Image posted by Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firate)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle struck on the M4 International Highway (الطريق الدولي (M4)) in the vicinity of Al Qahtaniyah (القحطانية) and Tal Barham (تل برهم). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the highway are: 37.003879, 41.536744.

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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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS531

Incident date

July 24, 2022

Location

قرية مجيبيره, Mujbayrah village, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.809285, 40.191507 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed by a reported Turkish artillery and rocket fire when it struck Mujbayrah village, Tel Tamr in Al Hassakah, Syria, on July 24th 2022. Four to five others, including two women, were injured.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the bombardment resulted in the death of one civilian in Mujbayrah village and the injury of eight others, including a woman and two children, in the area from Abu Rasin (Zarkan) to Tel Tamr countryside. However, the source did not specify whether the injuries occurred in in Tel Tamr or Zarkan district.

North Press Agency provided the name of the victims: Hassan Ibrahim was killed and Farhan Ali, 50 and Wadha Omar, 70, who are from Mujbayrah, Fayez Mahmoud, 19, from Khashmah, and Rajiha Yassen, 65, from Bab al-kheir were wounded. A source in the Tel Tamr Military Council also told North Press Agency that “one of Tawila’s residents got wounded due to the shelling”.

Hawar News reported that one civilian was killed and four others, including two women, were injured when Turkish forces launched a violent bombardment on Tel Tamr.

North Press Agency added that the shelling in the Hassakah by Turkish forces and their affiliates “left the Tel Tamr power transformer station out of service for the 27th time since the beginning of 2022.” The villages in Tel Tamr that were affected by the shelling were “Tawila, Tel Shanan, Umm al-Keif, the vicinity of the Russian Military Base, Tel Juma’, Ghaybish, al-Mujibera, Bab al-Kheir, and al-Khashma” in northern and western countryside of Tel Tamr”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Ibrahim
Age unknown male from Mujbayrah killed
Farhan Ali
50 years old from Mujbayrah injured
Wadha Omar
70 years old from Mujbayrah injured
Fayez Mahmoud
19 years old from Khashmah injured
Rajiha Yassen
65 years old from Bab al-kheir injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • A wounded elderly woman due to the Turkish shelling of her village. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Turkish bombardment of villages in Tel Tamr in Al Hassakah, Syria, on July 24th 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Turkish bombardment of villages in Tel Tamr in Al Hassakah, Syria, on July 24th 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Turkish bombardment of villages in Tel Tamr in Al Hassakah, Syria, on July 24th 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Turkish bombardment of villages in Tel Tamr in Al Hassakah, Syria, on July 24th 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mujbayrah (مجيبيره), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.809285, 40.191507. 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS483

Incident date

January 8, 2022

Location

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed by alleged Turkish airstrikes or drone strikes on Khani village on January 8, 2022.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an elder of Khani village was killed. Hawar News identified the civilian killed as Ibrahim Sharif, known as Ashkar.

The villages that were affected by the Turkish bombing were the villages of Tal Hajib, Qarmog, Goran, Khani, Sarzuri and Koltepe, located east of Kobani on the border with Turkey, in addition to Kobani city.

The General Council of the Democratic Union Party issued a written statement: “In a new test for the international community and the United Nations, the Turkish regime violated international principles and laws and targeted civilians in the center of Kobani city this morning, Saturday, with (drones) and heavy weapons, and its indiscriminate bombing resulted in martyrs and wounded civilians and extensive damage to their property.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Sharif
Age unknown killed

Summary

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

  • The villages of Qere Mox, Khani, Tel Hajjab and Alishar in eastern Kobani canton on the border with Turkey were being bombed on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • The villages of Qere Mox, Khani, Tel Hajjab and Alishar in eastern Kobani canton on the border with Turkey were being bombed on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • The villages of Qere Mox, Khani, Tel Hajjab and Alishar in eastern Kobani canton on the border with Turkey were being bombed on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage from alleged Turkish shelling on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Kassioun)
  • Damage from alleged Turkish shelling on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Kassioun)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Turkish bombing of villages around Kobani on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

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
  • 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]

Incident Code

TS603

Incident date

June 14, 2023

Location

village of Shourik, Al Hassaka, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Shourik on June 14, 2023.

North Press Agency reported that a Turkish drone carried out a strike near a cement factory in the village of Shourik resulting in casualties. A medical source told North Press that an injured man named Ahmad Saleh Abdullah was brought to al-Salam Hospital in Qamishli city for treatment and that his health condition was stable. The victim is described as an IDP from the city of Aleppo who lives in the town of al-Qahtaniyeh (Tirbe Spiye).

According to Hawar News, four civilians were injured by Turkish strikes on the Qamishlo-Tirbespiyê road, which caused damage to a number of passing cars on the road. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights refer to the “targeted” vehicle as a military vehicle, but did not specify whether those affected were civilians or militants.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish drones.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Saleh Abdullah
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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
    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 (3) [ collapse]

  • A vehicle destroyed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Shourik on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • A vehicle destroyed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Shourik on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

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 infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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
    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

TS633

Incident date

October 4, 2023

Location

بلدة صفيا , the neighborhood of Safia in the city of Hasakah, Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

On October 4, 2023, four civilians – four men – were reportedly injured by Turkish drone strikes on a factory, in Safia neighborhood, Hasakah town, according to most local sources.

Initial reporting by HawarNews indicated that ‘two factory workers were wounded, as the drone was hovering in the area’, making it difficult for ‘ambulances to arrive to transport the wounded’. Most sources later reported four civilians injured in the attack. The Asayish’s Media Centern, quoted by NPA, said that a factory was hit by three Turkish shells, and that the civilians injured had ‘multiple wounds’. Victims were then taken to the hospital for treatment. SOHR explained that the factory is located on the main road between Al-Hasakah-Al-Qamishly, ‘which SDF use as a military barrack’. Most sources described the factory as a brick factory while other sources alleged that it was an ammunition factory belonging to SDF or ‘SDF military barracks’. One source affirmed that the strikes hit ‘the farms of Mushayrifa Hamma’. Hawarnews included the identities of the four civilians allegedly injured in the attack – and indicated that two of them were in critical condition.

SyriaTV also reported deaths and casualties among SDF members : ‘Private sources told the “Syria TV” website, “A Turkish march targeted with three missiles a former tile-making factory that the SDF had converted into a warehouse and ammunition-manufacturing factory in the village of Safia, north of Hasakah.”‘ SyriaTV counted at least ten SDF members killed and injured, ‘after a series of explosions inside the factory’, and said those wounded were taken to a military hospital in Hasakah, but did not provide any further details on the number of SDF killed or injured, or on any civilian casualties.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Ali Hamo Na'aso
70 years old male injured
Bashir Issa Hamid
49 years old male injured
Abdul Aziz Al-Muhammad
Adult male injured
Adnan Bahro Abdullah
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–5

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish drone strike on a brick factory in the town of Sfeya in Hasakah Governorate. Source: NPA
    Alleged Turkish drone strike on a brick factory in the town of Sfeya in Hasakah Governorate. Source: NPA
  • 'A Turkish occupation drone targeted the town of Safia in the city of Hasaka, amid reports of casualties.' Source: Hawarnews
    'A Turkish occupation drone targeted the town of Safia in the city of Hasaka, amid reports of casualties.' Source: Hawarnews

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Four civilians were allegedly injured in a Turkish drone strike on October 4, 2023. Source: ANHA English
    Four civilians were allegedly injured in a Turkish drone strike on October 4, 2023. Source: ANHA English

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 infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–5

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS047 CS441

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

بزاعة , Beza’a city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3829071, 37.56666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians including two children from the same family died in an airstrike on Beza’a city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition.

Aleppo Media Center reported that “the child Hamdo al Bakir and an entire family made up of seven people” died following Turkish raids.

LCCSY instead said that civilians died as result of Turkish bombing on the city, as did Micro Syria. Sawa_sawanews  also blamed Turkey, putting the death toll at nine.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the Coalition. It said that “at least seven civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Beza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, January 12, 2017, SNHR has yet to verify the news.” Al Amawi news also attrubited blame to the Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Daughter of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Child female named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Mohammad, son of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Abd al Jawwad Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al HadathBrother of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i killed
Hamdo al Bakir
Child male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • "The death of Hamdou al-Bakir and a whole family of seven people in the town of Bazaa in the eastern Aleppo countryside following Turkish air strikes targeting the region on Thursday." (via AleppoAMC)
  • Abd al Jawwad Yassin, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)
  • Mohammad the son of Abd al SAttar and a child, the daughter of Abd al Sattar, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)
  • Abd al Sattar Yassin, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beza’a city ( بزاعة ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3829071, 37.56666. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Fir Jan 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: "Near Manbij, two strikes damaged a vehicle and a mortar system."

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]