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

TS200

Incident date

February 15, 2018

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.496944, 36.598333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent named one civilian was wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Shya, Syria.

The male victim was named at 21, who reportedly was wounded by shrapnel in the foot.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Dawood
21 years old male shrapnel in the foot injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 Shya, Afrin (شيا عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.496944, 36.598333. 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS087

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Location

Jelber village, [or Cilbir] Shirawa district, Afrin, Syria

Geolocation

36.484167, 36.968889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including an elderly woman were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery attack on Jelber village, Afrin, according to local media.

Aksalser cited Kurdish Activists and reported that “a woman from the village of Gelber in the countryside of Afrin was injured by the Turkish artillery”

Azadiy Kurdistan said that “according to medical sources, four civilians were wounded in the village of Jalbar as a result of the shelling of the village by the Turkish army and the militias backed by them.”

According to Welat FM “the hospital administration confirmed that they also received four injured civilians from the village of Gelber in the area of ​​Shirawa as a result of targeting the village more than 20 shells.”

Rok Online said that those injured included an elderly woman.

Aylina Kilic provided some further details, reporting: ‘Sabah Isa (40) who was wounded in the shelling of Turkish-backed groups on the #Afrin village said: “Was it a mortar or shell, I don’t know”.
“She continued: ‘They fired it and I was in the balcony. I told the children to come inside. They were firing at the garden and surroundings’.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

40 years old female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • 'Update: 4 civilians have been wounded in yesterday's shelling on villages in Canton #Afrin by Turkey-backed jihadist groups (ANHA) #Rojava'
  • A woman allegedly injured in the attack
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jelber village, [or Cilbir] Shirawa district, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.484167, 36.968889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS311

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Location

متينان, Metin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.628892, 38.675480 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in alleged Turkish shelling on the village of Metin, east of the city of Kobane, on October 11th, 2019, as reported by local sources.

@y_ozgurpolitika has identified one of the victims as Eidan Sheikh Ahmad, male, 60 years old, who was taken to the hospital a few hours after the incident.

The Kurdish Red Crescent named the other two victims as Watan Amro, male, 24 years old and Maso’ud Sheikh Hamd, male, age unknown.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

60 years old male killed
Watan Amro
24 years old male killed
Maso'ud Sheikh Hamd
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Metin (متينان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.628892, 38.675480. 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
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS344

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

العريف بين Çelebeyi وعين عيسى, Al Arif, between Celebeyi and Ayn Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.591274, 38.586731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians died and others were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Al Araf, between Celebeyi and Ayn Issa, local media reported.

#ANF noted: “Turkish troops and mercenaries carried out aggression against the village of al-Aref located between Kobanê’s Çelebeyi town and Ayn Issa. There are reports that many civilians lost their lives in the attack.”

According to @TurkceAnha, “The invading Turkish state and its gangs launched a howitzer attack on the village of El Aref between the village of Çelebeyi in Kobanê and Eyn Isa, where there were many civilians. Many civilians were killed in the attack.”

@dersi4m said that “10 civilians were killed and several were wounded”, while @ HiwaDilan_71 tweeted that the “Turkish army massacred and wounded more than 10 civilians in the village of al-Arif.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: "In the village of Abu Sirra, located between Girê Spî-Ayn Îssa, gangs attacked the civilian population."

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Arif (العريف), allegeledy located between Kobane (كوباني) and Ayn Issa (عين عيسى), in vicinity of Çelebeyi. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the middle point between Ayn Issa and Kobane are: 36.591274, 38.586731.

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Arif (العريف), allegeledy located between Kobane (كوباني) and Ayn Issa (عين عيسى), in vicinity of Çelebeyi.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    10
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS365

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

السلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.597801, 39.127185 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One health worker and two nurses working for Al Suluk hospital – Tal Abyad in Raqqa were reported kidnapped then killed allegedly by Turkey-backed militants (FSA/SNA) on October 24th, 2019, according to local media sources.

ANHA and ANF named one of the victims as Mihemed Bozan Seîdî. ANHA said the members of Al Nusra kidnapped and killed the three health workers.

The Kurdish Red Crescent identified the two nurses as Hevi Khalil and Mediya Khalil (both females, age unknown).

ANF said bodies of the victims were found in sewers.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Hevi Khalil
Age unknown female killed
Mediya Khalil
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1–3 healthcare_personnel)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Suluk (سلوك‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.597801, 39.127185. 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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1–3 healthcare_personnel)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS383

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

القنطري, Al Qenteri, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.396389, 39.264444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces and/or Turkey-backed militants’ attack on Qenteri village, Tal Abyad in Raqqa – Syria.

The attack happened on November 6th 2019, according to local sources. No additional details are presently known.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the village of Al Qenteri (القنطري) for which the generic coordinates are 36.396389, 39.264444. 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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS401

Incident date

December 20, 2019

Location

ام حرملة, Um Hammala, Al Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.872222, 40.330000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported injured as a result of alleged Turkish forces or Turkey-backed militants’ artillery shelling on Um Hammala village in Zarkan, Hasakah, Syria on December 20th, 2019 according to local sources.

No more details are available at the moment.

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
    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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army
  • Suspected target
    Free Syrian Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention multiple villages being struck in the countryside of Abu Rasin (تل بو رأسين). The village of Um Hammala (ام حرملة) for which the coordinates are: 36.872222, 40.330000; the village of Um Eshba (برقة) for which the coordinates are: 36.896389, 40.295000; and the village of Til Hermil (تل حرمل) for which the coordinates are: 36.906667, 40.356944. 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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army 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
    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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army
  • Suspected target
    Free Syrian Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS436

Incident date

May 17, 2020

Location

دير غصن, Deir Ghosn, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.105027, 41.803837 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), a civilian was killed when allegedly Turkish forces opened fire on farmers in Deir Ghosn in Hasaka, Syria on May 17th, 2020.

SANA said that “local sources told SANA’s reporter in Hasaka that at Sunday afternoon, Turkish occupation forces opened fire at farmers working in their fields in Deir Ghosn near the Turkish borders, killing one of the farmers.”

@NadiaAbidd wrote that “a civilian was shot dead by the #Turkish occupation forces while he was working on his farmland west of Al Malikiyah town in #Hasaka countryside.”

No more details are available at the moment.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Deir Ghosn (تل تمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.105027, 41.803837. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]