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

TS510

Incident date

May 22, 2022

Location

المشيرفة , Al Masherfa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.41292, 39.11639 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a young man, was seriously wounded by alleged Turkish drone strikes near the village of Al-Masherfa on May 22, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a Turkish drone attack injured 25 year old Reda Ali Hussein, who was transferred to Martyr Omar Alloush Hospital in Ain Issa district. The medical staff at Martyr Omar Alloush Hospital told Hawar News that Reda Ali Husseins condition is stable after he was “hit by shrapnel in several parts of his body”, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred to his wounds as “serious”.

Xeber News identified the incident as occurring on the outskirts of the village of Al-Masherfa three km south of the M4 International road. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the location was a Syrian Democratic Forces military post.

All of the sources that reported on this incident attributed the strikes to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

25 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of civilian injured by a drone strike on the village of Al-Mushairfa on May 22, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Al Masherfa (المشيرفة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.41292, 39.11639. 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, Drone Strike
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS536

Incident date

July 30, 2022

Location

لم الخير, Umm Al Khair, Al-Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.631647, 40.256996 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least seven and up to ten civilians, including women and children, were reported injured in an alleged Turkish bombardment targeting Umm Al Khair village, in the countryside of Tal Tamr, in Al-Hassakah, Syria, on July 30th 2022.

According to ANHA, the names and ages of those injured are as followed:  “Laila Omar Saleh, 4 years old, was subjected to shrapnel in the face, Juri Omar Saleh, 25 years old, was subjected to shrapnel in the hand, and Ahmed Muhammad Al-Mohammed, 60 years old, sustained injuries all over his body and his health condition is critical. A year-old was subjected to shrapnel in the abdomen and another in the chest, Hilwa Ezzo Awad, 63 years old, was subjected to shrapnel in the chest, Naim Muhammad Wazou, 30 years old, who was bruised, Nawras Hamid Antar, 25 years old, was bruised and Safa Ahmed Ali, 25 years old, from Umm al-Khair village, her health condition is stable.” Other names not reported by ANHA were Omar Hussein Diab and Nofa Alawi Al-Ali, aged 60 years old.

Local sources reported that the Internal Security Forces announced that seven civilians were injured. In the aftermath, North Press Agency reported that this rose to nine.  Most other local sources, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that ten civilians were injured as the final number. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that in addition, one Syrian regime soldier had been injured too.

North Press Agency reported that People’s Hospital in Al-Hassakah recieved three wounded civilians, Nofa, Halwa and Ahmad. Ahmad had fracture in his right humerus and shrapnel in the ambomen, and was reported to be in a critical condition.

Halwa Al-Awad said, “we were in our village, sleeping on the rooftop, and all of a sudden, the shelling started hitting us.” She told the North Press Agency that the bombardment was not targeting any military positions, but “only civilians.”

North Press Agency reported that the town of Tel Tamr has been under attack by the Turkish military and its affiliated armed opposition faction, known as the Syrian National Army (SNA) for more than two years.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Laila Omar Saleh
4 years old female injured
Juri Omar Saleh
25 years old injured
Ahmed Muhammad Al-Mohammed
60 years old male injured
Hilwa Ezzo Awad
63 years old male injured
Naim Muhammad Wazou
30 years old male injured
Safa Ahmed Ali
25 years old
Omar Hussein Diab
Age unknown male
Nofa Alawi Al-Ali
60 years old

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–10
  • 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 injured
    1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • North Press Agency reported that three of the injured arrived in the People's Hospital in Al-Hassakah on July 30th 2022 (Image via NPA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Umm Al Khair (لم الخير), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.631647, 40.256996. 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
    7–10
  • 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 injured
    1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI088

Incident date

October 16, 2022

Location

برادوست, Bradost area, Erbil, Iraq

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a woman, was injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes or drone strikes on the Bradost area in northern Erbil province on October 16, 2022.

Kurdistan 24 reported that a 30 year old woman named Sharmin Asad was injured by Turkish airstrike in the Bradost area in northern Erbil province. Ihsan Chalabi, the mayor of Sidakan, told Kurdistan 24 that the injured woman is from Sideman district and she was in the area visiting her relatives. She was transferred to the hospital and is receiving medical treatment, and her condition is stable.

BasNews specified that the drone strikes affected the Robi and Riwall resorts of Sidakan subdistrict, which the injured woman Sharmin was visiting. Rudaw News reported that the woman had been hit by shrapnel from a shell and that he injury was light.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the injury to Turkish forces, referring to both airstrikes or drone strikes.

The incident occured at approximately 12:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Sharmin Asad
30 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish airstrikes on the Bradost area in northern Erbil province on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan24)

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
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS600

Incident date

June 12, 2023

Location

A road linking the villages of Herbel with Um Hawsh, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.417702, 37.198600 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One Russian soldier was killed and between three and four other Russian soldiers were injured in an attack on an armoured military personnel carrier allegedly carried out by Turkish forces. The vehicle was moving along a road that connects Herbel and Um Hawsh.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the injured Russians were transported to Afrin hospital and then transferred to another medical facility, though the nature of their injuries are currently unknown; while the Kurdish North Press Agency (NPA) report that 3 were injured in the attack, others such as the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 4 injured. Images of the vehicle’s remains published by Basenews and NPA display the armoured vehicle with ‘MP’ written on the front laid on its side with extensive damage particularly to the front of the vehicle.

Sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish drones.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3–4

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Damaged Russian military vehicle caused by alleged Turkish strikes in Aleppo governorate on June 12, 2023. (Image posted by Basnews)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the road linking Herbel (حربل) and Um Hawsh (أم حوش). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 36.417702, 37.198600.

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
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3–4

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS629

Incident date

September 17, 2023

Location

عامودا, Qamishlo-Amuda road, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between two and eight civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Ali Faro Road between Qamishlo and Amuda on September 17, 2023. Up to four militants were killed and three others were injured in the original strike, while the civilians were injured in a double tap strike as they tried to help the injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four militants, including a commander, were killed and three members of the Internal Security Forces and two young male civilians on a motorbike were injured by shrapnel from a Turkish drone strike on the commander’s vehicle.

According to FOX Press, two members of the Internal Security Forces were killed and eight civilians were injured by the Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle on the road linking Qamishlo and Amuda. FOX Press added that the civilians were injured while they were trying to treat the injured from a previous strike and take them to the hospital.

Eastern Post Network posted on Facebook that a leader in the SDF named Ayman Joi was among the others killed, with this source reporting two others killed in the incident.

The North Press Agency identified the incident as occurring on the Ali Faro Road. All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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
    2–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle on the Qamishlo-Amuda road on September 17, 2023. (Image posted by Dilovan Çeto via Facebook)
  • Ayman Joli, alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle on the Qamishlo-Amuda road on September 17, 2023. (Image posted by Eastern Post Network via Facebook)
  • The leader in the ranks of #SDF, called Ayman Joli, was killed with two of his companions as a result of an air strike by a Turkish drone that targeted their car on the Qamishli-Amuda road this morning

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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
    2–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS026

Incident date

December 17–19, 2016

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

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq reported that 22 civilians were killed and 53 injured as a result of Turkish artillery shelling and airstrike in Al Bab, Syria.

It wrote: “22 dead and 53 injured among the residents of Al Bab who fell over the last two days following Turkish artillery and aerial bombardment.”

There are currently no other known sources available, with some of the numbered fatalities potentially linked to other listed events between December 17th and 19th.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    53
  • 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 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

Original strike reports

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For December 14th to 20th, France reports 10 strikes: 8 in Iraq – 7 of which were in Mosul – and 2 in Syria. They reported that 16 targets were destroyed.

#Chammal : 10 frappes contre Daech en Irak et en Syrie cette semaine, 16 objectifs détruits.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    53
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS083 CS514

Incident date

February 20, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between 12 and 29 civilians including up to five children and five women died in airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented today a massacre that took the lives of a family of 11 men and a woman and a child, they were killed by raids by Turkish warplanes and the shells of their forces that fell on the city”.

Syria News Desk said that five children died in the Turkish bombing.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Coalition for the death of 12 civilians, including 5 children and 4 women”.

Al Hayat also pointed to the Coalition, reporting that “29 were killed and four buildings destroyed  in the coalition air strikes”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammad Kheir Omar Bat-hish
Adult male killed
his wife Hamida Bat-hish
Adult female killed

Family members (3)

Hussein al Haj Ahmad Bat-hish
Adult male killed
his wife Nadwa Hamdan
Adult female pregnant killed
7 month old foetus
Child killed

Family members (4)

Omar Hussein Bat-hish
Adult male killed
his wife
Adult female daughter of Adel al Najeh Al Hamdo al Saleh killed
Hissan Omar Bat-hish
4 years old male killed
Mohammad Omar Bat-hish
3 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Unidentified child
1 years old female killed
the wife of Mahmoud Hussein Bat-hish
Adult female daughter of Alaa al Othman killed
the child Hassan Mahmoud Bat-hish
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 29
  • (4–5 children5 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab city (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.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient information available to determine if civilians were present or harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 19th-20th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Bab, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.” For February 20th-21st, they reported: “Near Al Bab, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed four ISIS-held buildings, and damaged an ISIS-held building.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 29
  • (4–5 children5 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS345 TS005d

Incident date

October 22, 2016

Location

الطويحينة, Al Tweihina, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.443611, 37.248056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes, possibly carried out by Turkish forces, killed one civilian according to one local report. Others referred only to violent clashes between non state actors.

Smart News Agency reported that “international Coalition aircraft” targeting ISIS in Al Tweihina which it said killed one civilian and two members of the terror group. However, the report identified the village as being located in Raqqa governorate.

The Syrian Observatory reported instead that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) attacked “Turkish soldiers” in the vicinity of Al Tweihina. The Observatory added that “different sources confirmed to SOHR that a number of Turkish soldiers were killed” though it may have been referencing rebels supported by Turkey. It did however allude to “aerial reconnaissance aircraft” in the area, possibly belonging to Turkey.

Tal Abiyad posted pictures and video of an armoured vehicle that it said was captured from the “al Sham Front.” (update from December 2018, this video is no longer available to view online.)

Daily Sabah meanwhile cited the Turkish military and reported that “FSA fighters with the support of the Turkish military continued to attack” Kurdish forces in the area. The report cited a number of airstrikes.

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A map highlighting that the village is in the Aleppo countryside not Raqqa countryside. It is in the bottom left corner of the area highlighted in light blue. (via Airwas researcher)
  • An armoured vehicle reportedly captured by SDF fighters from the “al Sham Front.” (via Tal Abiyad News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Tweihina (الطويحينة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.443611, 37.248056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA429345
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • Oct. 22, 2016, in Tweihina, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3072/CS345 37SCA429345

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported “Near Washiyah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.” For October 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, one strike destroyed an ISIL artillery system.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]