Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

TS538

Incident date

August 4, 2022

Location

تل رفعت, Tel Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven to nine people, including up to seven children, were “seriously” injured by an alleged Turrkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat city centre, in the Aleppo countryside on August 4th 2022.

Hawar News also reported that this attack “resulted in injuries” but did not state how many.

ANHA reported that the names of the nine injured people were: Donia Othman, aged 6, Mahmoud Gharib Mamo, aged 6, and Hussein Jamal Qassem, aged 7, Evelyn Abdel Rahman Haider, aged 13, Orivan Muhammad Abdo, aged 15, Ronahi Selo, aged 27, Hussein Bayram Aklo, aged 43, Sabah Hanan Hamo, aged 10, Arzia Ahmed Rasho, aged 23.

ANHA also reported that according to the medical staff in Afrin Hospital, Mahmoud Gharib Mamo, aged 6, was injured critically and is not stable. He was transferred to the city of Aleppo for a head injury.

Evelyn Abdel Rahman Haider, aged 13, who was injured told ANHA that she “was at home when my friend asked me to go eat ice cream and on our way suddenly we heard a loud explosion that occured near us and I fainted, and I only remember that someone carried me and put me in the car where I was taken to Tel Rifaat Hospital.”

The mother of Evelyn said that “not a day passes without being bombarded by the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries, and today my daughter and a number of children were injured as a result of the bombing.”

One family of injured children told ANHA that “our children are deprived of even playing as a result of the bombing.”

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there is a Russian base there.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Donia Othman
6 years old female injured
Mahmoud Gharib Mamo
6 years old male injured
Hussein Jamal Qassem
7 years old male injured
Evelyn Abdel Rahman Haider
13 years old female injured
Orivan Muhammad Abdo
15 years old male injured
Ronahi Selo
27 years old male injured
Hussein Bayram Aklo
43 years old male injured
Sabah Hanan Hamo
10 years old female injured
Arzia Ahmed Rasho
23 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–9
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)
  • Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)
  • Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)
  • Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)
  • Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)
  • Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)
  • Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of those injured by alleged Turkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat, Aleppo on August 4th 2022 (Images via Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tel Rifaaf (تل رفعت), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.472576, 37.096272. 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
    7–9
  • 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

TS567

Incident date

November 20, 2022

Location

جورين, Syria

Geolocation

35.616504, 36.268706 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, a boy, and a woman, his mother, were injured as a result of Turkish-backed militant action, from factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin”. The actions were reported to include artillery shells hitting the town of Jourin on November 20th 2022.

The woman and child were reportedly transferred to the Suqaylabiyah National Hospital for treatment.

Pressn and other local sources also reported that the shells caused material damage to some local residential properties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mother
Adult female injured
Son
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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
    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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Residental houses reportedly damaged by Turkish backed militant missile fire on November 20th 2022 in Jourin (Image via Alalam)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jourin (جورين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.616504, 36.268706. 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
    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 (5) [ 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

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:

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

TS084

Incident date

April 25, 2017

Location

المالكية, Several locations in al Malkiya, northern Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.176729, 42.135643 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians werereportedly wounded in alleged Turkish strikes on Kurdish militias on Several locations in al Malkiya, according to a single source.

Reports said that between 20 and Kurdish forces were killed with up to 18 wounded; however, there were also some vague references to civilian harm – though it appears that most credible claims are of military casualties aside from two civilians injured, according to a report by AFP.

Mohammad al Khateeb [a Syrian journalist from Aleppo Medic centre] reported that “20 Kurdish security forces killed and 18 wounded by Turkish raids on Mount Karachuk in rural Hasaka” – according to a statement issued by the PKK.

Sherzad Omar published a Turkish army video of the raids on Mount Shangal and Mount Karajukh [kratchuk].

According to Euphrates Post: “The bombing resulted in the destruction of the headquarters of the Kurdish People Protection Units, in addition to the destruction of the Petra communication station and tower on Mount Karachuk and the radio tower and the destruction of the radio station ‘Voice Rojava’ belonging to the YPG units”.

Sharqiya Voice reported that “more than 70 Kurdish militia members were killed and more than 10 critical cases were transferred to al-Qamishli hospitals as a result of the Turkish air strikes on Mount Karkuk and a number of military points in the Maalik countryside and Mount Sinjar. No civilian casualties were reported.”

The spokesman for the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, Redor Khalil, told Akhbar al yaom that “the shelling also caused significant damage to the site and damage to civilian property near the target area”.

Rai al youm [quoting AFP] added that “there were 20 martyrs and 18 wounded from Kurdish units, three of them in critical condition. Additionally, two civilians were wounded, according to the official spokesman of the units, Redor Khalil”.

Ennabbaladi added that five members of the Peshmerga were killed “by mistake during the bombing”.

Rudaw published images showing “US military commanders visiting Mount Kratchuk in Direk in the Kurdistan region of Syria after it was hit by a Turkish bomb on Tuesday [April 25th].”

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

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • 'US military commanders visit Mount Kratchuk in Direk in the Kurdistan region of Syria after being hit by a Turkish bomb on Tuesday [April 25th]'. (via Rudaw)
  • Northern Hassaka - al Malkiya - in Kratchouk mountain after Turkish air force targeted YPG - photos showing the extent of the destruction caused to the positions of the separatist militias. The attack caused the total destruction of the building and around 20 dead and dozens injured -all members of the militia. (via EuphratesPost)
  • Turkish Army video f the raids on Mount Shangal and Mount Karajukh [kratchuk]. (via Sherzad Omar)
  • US aircrafts arrive at (Karachuk) mount after the latter was shelled by Turkish warplanes and the spokesman of YPG forces holds a press conference at the shelled site. (via Welat FM facebook)
  • Translation: northern hassaka countryside - a delegation from the international coalition accompanied by leaders from the kurdish militia units inspect the positions that were targeted by the Turkish air force. (via Euphrates Post facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Several locations in al Malkiya (المالكية), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.176729, 42.135643. 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 (17) [ collapse]