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

TS343b

Incident date

October 15, 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

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, Fayad Haj Osman (Male), aged 38 from Kobane was wounded by gunshot.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fayad Haj Osman
38 years old sun shot wound. injured

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ 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
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS342

Incident date

October 15, 2019

Location

الفارات, Al Farat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.574629, 37.805800 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that 2 civilians were killed and 15 people were injured in an alleged Turkish shelling in the village of Al Farat, west of Manbij.

In a Kurdish Red Crescent document shared with Airwars, 15 people have been identified as injured, among which 10 children (including a child whose name is mentioned twice in the list). Sources posted images of casualties. ANHA reported 13 wounded, of which 4 children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Yasin Al Khedir
12 years old male wounded by fragments in body injured
Wefa Al Khedir
28 years old female abdomen injury injured
Rabeya Al Ali Al Khedir,
18 years old female fragments in the left hand injured

Family members (5)

Razan Al Mousa
5 years old female fragments in legs injured
Ebrahim Al Mousa
3 years old male fragments in left leg injured
Ali Al Mousa
11 years old male fragments in legs injured
Mouhammad Al Mousa
10 years old male fragments in left leg injured
Muhammad Al Mousa
10 years old male fragments in the left leg

Family members (3)

Ruqaya Al Safri
13 years old female broken leg injured
Rezan Al Safri
5 years old female fragments in head injured
Bedriya Al Safri
13 years old female leg broken injured

The victims were named as:

Ehmed Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Mihemed Abdullah El-Seferî
Adult male killed
Kamla Al Muhammad Kher
40 years old female wounded by fragments in the right leg injured
Nermeen Al Ali
18 years old female broken bones injured
Ebrahim Abdullah
43 years old male fragments in the left leg injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–15
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Farat ( الفارات), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.574629, 37.805800. 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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–15
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS343

Incident date

October 15, 2019

Location

ابو سرة, Abu Surra, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.481553, 38.720798 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died and another was wounded in an alleged Turkish attack on a car carrying civilians, multiple sources reported.

@thefinalwar tweeted” “The Turkish state and its gangs attacked a vehicle belonging to civilians in the village of Abu Sirê to the west of Eyn Isa. Two civilians were martyred and one civilian was injured in the attack.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Unknown
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abu Surra (ابو سرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.481553, 38.720798. 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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Unknown
  • 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

TS345

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

الرافع, Al Rafi, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.387064, 38.862501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and four others were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of al Rafi, Ayn Issa, according to local media.

Hawarnews reported: “A civilian who lost his life during the attacks in Al-Rafi and wounded reached Reqa Hospital. It was learned that the civilian martyr was 35-year-old Ahmad al-Abdo. Abdo is married and has four children.”

Hawar added: “The shelling of the occupation forces resulted in the death of Ahmad al-Abdo, 35, a father of four children; 14-year-old Mariam ‘Abdullah al-Jouri was also injured. Ahmed Hammoud al-‘Abd, 34, a father of two children, is currently receiving treatment. Yasmeen Mohammed al-Ali, 33, is in intensive care and is in critical condition.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al-Abdo
35 years old male killed
Mariam 'Abdullah al-Jouri
14 years old female injured
Ahmed Hammoud al-'Abd
34 years old male injured
Yasmeen Mohammed al-Ali
33 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Rafi (الرافع), allegedly within the vicinity of Ain Issa (عين عيسى). 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: 36.387064, 38.862501.

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
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS346

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

ريحانية, Rihaniya, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.601231, 40.071902 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians – of whom three were women – were wounded in an alleged Turkish attack on Rihaniya village, according to local media.

Hawarnews reported that “two women and an elderly man, all from the village of Rihaniya” were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Rihaniya village.

However, several other sources said that three women were injured in a shooting by Turkisj forces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Civilians talking about the Turkish army targeting their village."
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rihaniya (ريحانية), west of Alia (غرب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.601231, 40.071902. 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
    3–5
  • 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

TS347

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.848579, 40.073576 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

“Many” civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Turkish air, artillery and  phosphorus attacks on Ras al-Ain, according to local media.

TEV-DEM Executive Board Member Aldar Xelîl said that banned weapons containing phosphorus and napalm were used by the Turkish state today in Serêkaniy.

Hawarnews added: The attack killed a number of civilians remaining in the city and left lives of hundreds at risk.”

According to ANF, “Violent clashes took place, and the invading Turkish state used banned weapons such as phosphorus, air strikes and artillery shots.

The civilians remaining in the city are the targets of the bombing. Many civilians are martyred or injured. While the occupiers prevented the wounded from being transported to hospitals by keeping the entrance of the city, Turkish planes aimed at ambulances.”

Faris Hemo, Doctor of Hesekê Public Hospital, told ANHA: “When we look at the cases that came today [Oct 16th], we saw that the burns were different. Although we cannot determine exactly which weapon burns, we can say that the Turkish state uses chemical weapons.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children burnt from alleged use of phosphorus by Turkish forces.
  • A child injured in alleged Turkey use of chemical weapons (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ras Al Ain (رأس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.848579, 40.073576. 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
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS348

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

رفح, Rafha, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.671052, 39.143708 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

“Many” civilians died and “more than 50” were wounded in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Rafha village, local media said.

According to @ HiwaDilan_71, “Groups of gangs affiliated with the occupying Turkish state bombed a village inhabited by Arab citizens in Girê Spî. Many civilians have died, including more than 50 people hospitalized, including women, children and the elderly.”

@nazimodas posted footage of “a father whose son died in the bombing.”

Politika noted howitzer fire.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 10
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A father whose son died in the bombing."
  • Wounded civilians in Rafha village, Tal Abyad, Oct 16th (via Politika)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rafha (رفح), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.671052, 39.143708. 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
    5 – 10
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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

TS350a

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

المالحة, Al Malha, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.653065, 39.984999 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

@NPA_English tweeted: “A civilian woman from al-Malha village in the southern countryside of Ras al-Ain (Sere Kaniye) has arrived at Tal Tamr Hospital due to being shot by Turkey-backed armed militias”.

The Kurdish Red Crescent named the victim as Lamees Ali Assaf, a female aged 14 from Serekaniye”, adding that she was shot.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Lamees Ali Assaf
14 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Malha (المالحة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.653065, 39.984999. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military