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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Incident Code

TS610

Incident date

July 9, 2023

Location

جورين, Jurin, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.616010, 36.269336 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 9th July 2023, up to three civilians were reportedly injured and a member of the regime forces were killed by an artillery strike allegedly carried out by the factions of the ‘Al-Fateh Al-Mubin’ operations room, a Turkish-based militia, in the town of Jurin, located in Sahl Al-Ghab in the western countryside of Hama.

The Syrian Arab Army reported on the death of one of its soldiers and identified that three individuals were injured, but only documented one civilian among the injured. Simultaneously, a report from Sahl Al-Ghab News aligns with this narrative, but suggests that one civilian was injured and three others were injured, seeming to refer to the others as militants. Whilst, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights documented the death of a regime soldier and the injury of three civilians.

According to the Syrian Arab Army, the regime responded to the incident by using missiles in the city of Jisr al-Shughur.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    0–3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • #Hama: A soldier was killed and 3 others, including a civilian, were injured, as a result of rocket shells fired by terrorists at the direction of the town of #Jourin in the Al-Ghab Plain in the western countryside of Hama, and they were transferred to the Suqaylabiyah National Hospital. In response to the bombing, the Syrian Arab Army is targeting terrorist groups with missiles in the range

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jurin (جورين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.616010, 36.269336. 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
    1–3
  • 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
    0–3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS638

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

تربة سبيه, several oil wells and Kardahol oil station in the Tirbe Spiyeh district, northern side of Qamishlo canton, Qamishlo, Syria

Airwars assessment

During the evening of Thursday, October 5, 2023, an alleged Turkish airstrike on several oil wells (stations), including Kardahol oil station, in the countryside of Tirbe Spiyeh in Qamishlo canton, Syria, reportedly killed a 55-year-old man, Muhammad Al-Aliwi (Abu Hussein), and injured his son Mutasim Al-Aliwi and another 35-year-old man. Facebook user Ela Hiso shared images of the oil wells damaged by the strikes while Ivan Hasib shared a video of the explosions.

ANF News reported that Muhammad Al-Aliwi was in his house located near the oil well touched by the strike at the time of the incident. The source said that a shrapnel settled in his head, and that he later succumbed to his wounds. According to Hawar News, Muhammad Al-Aliwi was killed near the oil well located in the northern part of the Qamishlo district.

According to a Facebook post by Kahtaniya Turbsibeh, “all family members” of Muhammad Al-Aliwi were also injured as a result of the strike, but their identities are not known. Khataniya also shared an image of the late Muhammad – a middle-aged man with moustache sitting on a carpet alongside an infant, probably his grandson.

A video posted by Hawar News on Facebook allegedly showed the victim’s child, Mutasim, wrapped in bandages and with visible wounds on his face. The source said Mutasim had just “woke up from his wounds after the Turkish bombing” when he recalled on video the images of the incident, which “do not leave [his] imagination.” Details on other potentially injured civilians have not been reported.

A 35-year-old worker at al Kardahol oil station located southwest of the Tirbe Spiyeh district, Sami Nayef Al-Nazzal, was also injured as a result of the Turkish occupation army’s bombing of the station as reported by ANF news.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to theTurkish military.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammad Al-Aliwi محمد العلوي
55 years old male killed
Mutasim Al-Aliwi, معتصم العليوي,
Child male injured

The victims were named as:

Sami Nayef Al-Nazzal سامي نايف النزال
35 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Oil facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Source: Love City facebook
  • Source: Love City facebook
  • Source: Kahtaniya Turbsibeh facebook
  • Source: Rojava facebook
  • Source: Ela Hiso facebook
  • Source: Ela Hiso facebook
  • Source: Ela Hiso facebook
  • Source: Ela Hiso facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Oil facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS142

Incident date

January 30, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67296, 36.666364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Kurish Red Crescent reported: “The savagery of the Turkish aggression in Afrin was not limited to civilians only, but also to the media. A bombardment targeted a car in Rajo today, carrying a team of four journalists, including correspondents of foreign media agencies and four other civilians. They are being treated by the Kurdish Red Crescent”.

There are no reports of civilian casualties and no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Injured civilians receive medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo, Afrin, 30th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Flag)
  • Injured civilians receive medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo, Afrin, 30th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Flag)
  • Injured civilians receive medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo, Afrin, 30th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Flag)
  • Injured civilians receive medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo, Afrin, 30th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Flag)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rajo, Afrin (جنديرس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.67296, 36.666364. 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
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS173

Incident date

February 9, 2018

Location

راجو, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67296, 36.666364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the private report that Airwars received from the Kurdish Red Crescent, two civilians were wounded followed in an alleged Turkish shelling of Rajo.

The type of weapon has not been reported.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yashar
25 years old male face and jaw injuries injured
Mahdi
26 years old male shock and back bruises injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rajo, Afrin (راجو), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.67296, 36.666364. 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS269

Incident date

March 13, 2018

Location

اشرفية, Ashrafieh neighbourhood, Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was critically wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Ashrafieh neighbourhood, Afrin city.

According to IC Afrin Resistance, the Turkish occupation army planes bombed al-Ashrafieh neighbourhood in the centre of Afrin city at noon today [March 13th], seriously wounding the back of a 14-year-old boy. The child was taken to a hospital in Afrin.

Althawra reported that “various types of weapons” were used in the city centre, and not only was a 14 year old child wounded, but there was extensive damage to homes, shops and other local infrastructure.

Leilanazzar said that he was in a critical condition. Hawar and ANF added that Izzat Hussain’s condition was unstable and that he was admitted to intensive care. 

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Izzat Hussain
14 years old male injured back injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A video shows the moment an alleged Turkish airstrike targeted Ashrafiyah in Afrin, 13th March 2018. (via, YPJ relation office)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child, injured followed an alleged Turkish airstrike on Ashrafieh neighbourhood, Afrin city, 13th March 2018. (source: Hawar news)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child being treated after the alleged Turkish airstrike on Ashrafieh neighbourhood, Afrin city, 13th March 2018. (source: Hawar news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ashrafieh neighbourhood, Afrin city (اشرفية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

TI015

Incident date

April 6, 2018

Location

سدكان , Sedkan, North east of Erbil Province, KRG, Iraq

Geolocation

36.801389, 44.665 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish artillery strike on Sedkan, according to local sources.

Basnews reported that “on Friday [April 6th], Turkish artillery continued to bombard the area of ​​Bradust and its villages in Siddakan (northeast of Erbil), injuring two civilians and displacing about 120 others from their villages.

According to information received by Basnoyos, the Turkish army bombed dozens of villages in the region of Bradust and Sidkane district, where the inhabitants of six villages in the area evacuated their homes completely and were displaced to safer areas.”

Almaalomah also reported the injury of two civilians.

Shafaaq added that three members of the Peshermega were killed in a Turkish shelling. It named them as “Tahir Mohammed, Majid Mohammed and Ramadan Mohammed”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • According to the source, Shafaaq, the authorities found the bodies of Tahir Mohammed, Majid Mohammed and Ramadan Mohammed, fighters in the Peshmerga forces who were on official leave to work in beekeeping to help their families. Killed in suspected Turkish strikes on Sedkan, Erbil Province, April 6th (via Shafaaq)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sedkan ( سدكان ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.801389, 44.665. 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS312

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Location

تل أبيض‎, Tal Abyad/Girê Spî, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.6975, 38.956667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two to four civilians were injured as the result of alleged Turkish army shelling on the village of Tal Abyad or Girê Spî, according to @dersi4m and ANF News.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yasser Ali Bal'u
30 years old male injured
Ahmad 'Abdul Wahab
65 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Abyad/Girê Spî (تل أبيض‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.6975, 38.956667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (2) [ 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]