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

TS523

Incident date

July 2, 2022

Location

جراد, Jarad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.529705, 37.954159 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed after a Turkish missile shelling on Jarad village in the northern Manbij countryside, in the Aleppo region of Syria on July 2nd 2022.

ANHA reported that the civilian killed was Mohammed Khaled al-Mohammad, aged 23. A local source told North Press that “the young man, Muhammad Khalid Muhammad Ali (23), lost his life while working on his family’s farmland in his village of al-Jarad.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Khaled al-Mohammad
23 years old male

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Khaled al-Mohammed, aged 23, was reportedly killed by Turkish fire whilst working on his family's farmland outside Manbij city (Image via ANHA English)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jarad (الجراد), allegedly located north Manbij (منبج) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Manbij are: 36.529705, 37.954159.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS551

Incident date

August 19, 2022

Location

النيربية, Al Nayribiyah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.374059, 37.377273 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly woman was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Al Nayribiyah village on August 19, 2022.

Hawar News Agency reported that a woman and a child were injured as a result of Turkish forces bombing the villages of the countryside of Al-Shahba canton, including the villages of Karamel, Hassin, Ain Deqina and Baylouniyah, in addition to the center of Tel Rifaat district in al-Shahba canton. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the elderly woman in her 70s was injured in Al-Nayribiyah village. However, Lîlav Alî posted on Facebook that the woman injured, Khadija Shammo, is 55 years old.

According to Hawar News Agency, both victims of shelling in Al-Shahba (TS551 and TS552) were transferred to Afrin Hospital in the district of Favin for treatment.

.All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the attack to Turkey, with most referring to the bombing as being shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khadija Shammo
70 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Elderly woman injured by alleged Turkish strikes on al-Shahba canton on August 19, 2022. (Image posted byLîlav Alî via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Nayribiyah (), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.374059, 37.377273. 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
  • 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

TS577

Incident date

December 10, 2022

Location

هيشان , Al Hishah, Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.35291, 39.01692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 10 2022, a civilian, a 61 years old man working on a agriculture field, was reportedly killed during Turkish strikes targeting villages located between Ain Issa district and Girê Spî (Tel Abyad) district, in Raqqah province. Turkish forces allegedly used light and heavy weapons.

The victim was described as “Saleh al-Ali al-Salama (61 years old), from the Albu Assaf clan”, from Al-Hawija village. Local sources added that the man “was martyred by shrapnel from a shell fired from the Turkish base in the village of Bir Issa while he was plowing his land”. Bir Issa is located 7km east of Al-Hisha town.  Saleh al-Ali al-Salama was reportedly “buried in Bir Saran cemetery”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh al-Ali al-Salama صالح العلي السلامة
61 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Saleh al-Ali al-Salama (61 years old), a civilian working in his land, was allegedly killed by Turkish strikes on December 10th 2022. Photo: ANHA English

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hishah (هيشان ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.35291, 39.01692. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS606

Incident date

June 27, 2023

Location

جورين, Jourin, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by shelling allegedly carried out by the factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin” operations room, a Turkish sponsored militia, in Jourin in the Al-Ghab Plain region on June 27, 2023.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two civilians were injured to varying degrees by shrapnel from rocket shells launched by factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin” operations room. The source added that the wounded were taken to the hospital.

A tweet from @Click_Syria reported that two civilians sustained “minor” injuries from the shelling as well as causing material damages to homes and property.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jourin (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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS635

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

قرية جلبية/, M4 international road, 45km southeast from the city of Kobani, near Jalabiya (Kharab Ashk) village, Kobani, Syria

Airwars assessment

At 10:45 in the morning on Thursday, 5th October 2023, Turkish drone strikes allegedly killed two civilian men riding a motorcycle on the M4 international road, 45 km southeast from the city of Kobani, and injured up to two other civilians. According to the local sources, the incident happened near the village of Jalabiya (Kharab Ashk) in the countryside of Ayn Al-Arab (Kobani).

The deceased men have been named as Kilo Adbi from the village of Touqli and Hazouf (Horouf) Ali Rami Haval Bahuz. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that they were workers of the military fortification tunnels, riding a Turkish motorcycle. Local news agency Hawar News reported that two other civilians were wounded in the drone strike.

Birjav FM reported that their motorcycle was on the M4 international road, 45 km southeast from the city of Kobani. Facebook users such as Kobanê Warê Me posted images of the victims and the destroyed motorcycle, which lay scattered and burned on the ground.

Kilo Abdi, a middle-aged man with a moustache is seen in the images with his two small children.

Hazouf Ali Rami was remembered in a Facebook tribute by his wife’s brothers Rizan Hes Hamin and Juan Hes Hamin. They shared the images of the late Hazouf, a middle aged man with a moustache while doing some manual work and standing near a bonfire.

This incident was part of a series of drone strikes and bombings on the 5th October across northeastern Syria which targeted infrastructure, service facilities alongside gas and oil stations.

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

The incident occured at 10:45:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Kilo Abdi كيلو عبدي
Adult male killed
Hazouf Ali Rami حزوف علي رمي
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Ware me facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani News facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani News facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: National Geographic Kobani facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: National Geographic Kobani facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rizan Hes Hamin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juan Hes Hamin facebook

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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS203

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

مستكو, عفرين, Mastako, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.542605, 36.618558 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian 64-year-old was wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Mastako, Afrin, according to Rumaf.

The source said that the victim had many shrapnel wounds in his thighs, hands and head.

The Kurdish Red Crescent also listed the victim as wounded, though it said this occurred in Shya’ and it is not known whether this is in Mastako.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

64 years old male Via Rumaf FB injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mastako, Afrin (مستكو, عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.542605, 36.618558. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS267

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

الزربة, Zerba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.068446, 36.978618 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media, a 21-year-old civilian was wounded followed an alleged Turkish air and or artillery strike on the village of Zerba.

It was reported that his wounds were critical and that as many as four other civilians were wounded, including critical cases.

Sources reported that Turkish warplanes bombed the centre of Shirawa and the villages of Basutah, Karzayleh and Zerba.

It was reported that there was extensive material damage to the properties in the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

21 years old male critically wounded injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)
  • Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zerba (الزربة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.068446, 36.978618. 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
    1–4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS064

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Eight people were reportedly injured as a result of an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab.

Al Bab News and the ISIS-affiliated outlet Al A’amaq said that most of the wounded were women and children.

There are currently no further details available.

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
    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 city of Al Bab (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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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]