Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

TS473

Incident date

September 6, 2021

Location

الخالدية, Al Khalidiya, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.418333, 38.809444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a young man, was injured in alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Al-Khalidiya on September 6, 2021.

According to North Press Agency (NPA), a 28 year old man named Yasser Youssef Hajo was injured by shrapnel when Turkish forces bombed the village of Al-Khalidiya. A medical source in Ain Issa Town Hospital, whether the man was treated, told NPA that the injured man may ned surgery.

Both Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Ronahi TV also reported that one civilian was wounded in the bombing of Al-Khalidiya and both attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yasser Youssef Hajo ياسر يوسف حجو
28 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    28 year old Yasser Youssef Hajo was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Al-Khalidiya on September 6, 2021. (Image posted by Ronahi TV)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Khalidiya (الخالدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.418333, 38.809444. 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
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS505

Incident date

May 11, 2022

Location

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.891028, 38.353611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man, named Akram Ostak, was killed and others were wounded in two alleged Turkish drone strikes in and near Kobani on May 11, 2022.

According to Hawar News, Turkish drones his struck two locations in Kobani – south of Kobani on the Aleppo road and in a densely populated neighborhood in the city, resulting in the death of “the national figure, “Akram Ostak“, from the people of Sharnakh state in Bakur (Northern Kurdistan), who went to Rojava in response to the general mobilization, in 2014, during ISIS attack on the city of Kobani.”

Bissan Fm added that “others” were wounded by Turkish drones in Kobani but did not specify how many people were injured or at which location they were injured. North Press Agency also identified “civilians wounded” without giving more details.

Hawar News quoted the Autonomous Administration, which issued a written statement that “a Turkish occupation UAV targeted two sites in the city center of Kobani and the Aleppo-Kobani road with two successive attacks one of them led to martyrdom “Akram Ostak” while the other was limited to material damage.”

Basnews also quoted the Autonomous Administration, who identified the victim as “Akram Ostak, 50 years old. He is a Kurdish opposition member from Turkey. He had spent 10 years in Turkish prisons and then sought refuge in Kobani.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that a man was killed by a Turkish drone that launched strikes on two different locations, a car on Aleppo-Ain Al-Arab (Kobani) road and a house in Ain Al-Arab.

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

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Akram Ostak أكرم ايستك
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

  • Damage caused by lleged Turkish drone strikes on Kobani on May 11, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kobani (كوباني), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.891028, 38.353611. 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

TS537

Incident date

July 30, 2022

Location

السلماسه, Al Salmsaa, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.640463, 40.292959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured, one young man and a girl, in alleged Turkish shelling in the village of Al-Salamsa, in the countryside of Tal Tamr, in Al-Hassakah, Syria on July 30th 2022.

The injured were named by ANHA as Majda Khader al-Bibi, aged 16, and her brother, Hatem Khader al-Bibi, aged 24. They were reportedly taken to hospital.  A medical source at the Legarin Hospital told North Press Agency that they had recieved treatment and that their condition was stable.

The bombing was also reported to cause damage to civilian homes in the village.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Majda Khader al-Bibi
16 years old female injured
Hatem Khader al-Bibi
24 years old male

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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Injured reportedly from Turkish shelling on Tal Tamr in Al-Hassakah on July 30th 2022 (Image via الجوكر نيوز Joker news / Facebook)
  • Injured reportedly from Turkish shelling on Tal Tamr in Al-Hassakah on July 30th 2022 (Image via الجوكر نيوز Joker news / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Salmsaa (السلماسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.640463, 40.292959. 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS564

Incident date

November 6, 2022

Location

قامشلو, Qamishlo, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including an unknown number of children, were reported injured as a result an alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle on Al-Hizam Al-Ghaby Road, near Al-Saada School in Al-Qamishly city in Al-Hasakah countryside, Syria, on November 6th 2022.

Two to three SDF fighters, including a commander and a driver, were also reportedly killed in this attack.  Hussein Bari reported that one SDF member killed was the “fighter” Kamal Muhammad Ali, possibly also known as “Mitan Shorsch”.

The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces issued this statement: “The Turkish occupation’s attacks against civilians’ places and properties continue, and yesterday, Sunday, November 6, and in thevening hours when a fighter from our forces was spending his vacation in his home and was walking around with two of his civilian comrades, they were targeted by the Turkish occupation army.”

“The car in which our fighter, “Mitan Shorsch” and his two companions, was travelling, was targeted by a drone of the Turkish occupation army, which resulted in the death of our comrade Mitan, and the injury of civilians.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • "QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) - A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) lost his life after a Turkish drone hit his car in the city of Qamishli in northeast Syria on Sunday." (North Press Agency)
  • An alleged Turkish drone strike hit a vehicle, injuring three civilian passerbys on November 6th 2022 (Image via Dilovan Çeto / Facebook)
  • "The martyrdom of the fighter Kamal Muhammad Ali, son of the city of Sere-Kaniye, during the bombing of a Turkish march on a car in the city of Qamishlo", SDF militant reported killed (Image via حسين بري Hussein Bari / 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
    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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS597

Incident date

May 28, 2023

Location

عفرين ، رأس العين ، اعزاز ، تل أبيض ، الباب ، جرابلس, Afrin, Ras Al Ain, Azaz, Tell Abyad, Al Bab, Jarablus, various regions, Syria

Geolocation

36.512278, 36.865389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

36.848621, 40.072403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map 36.586827, 37.048090 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map 36.691939, 38.951152 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map 36.372135, 37.516151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map 36.818970, 38.007554 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was killed and between 20 to 25 civilians, including two women and four children, were injured by alleged Turkish-back faction heavy gunfire around Afrin on May 28, 2023.

Hawar News initially reported that a child was killed and “a number of people, including women” were injured by gunfire from Turkish militia members while celebrating the re-election of Turkish president Erdogan. Hawar then updated their information to 25 injuries, including women and children, in Afrin district and then went on to specify that two people were injured near Al-Thura bakery, a woman was injured in Sajo camp in Azaz, and others were injured in the city of Sere Kaniye.

North Press Agency initially reported that three people were injured, specifically in Mahmudiyah camp in Afrin, but then revised their numbers to 20 people total wounded by stray bullets, including four children and two women. The source then clarified where the injuries occurred: “seven wounded in Afrin and its countryside north of Aleppo, four in Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) in the countryside of Hasakah, three each in the city of Azaz north of Aleppo and the city of Tel Abyad In the northern countryside of Raqqa, two in the city of al-Bab east of Aleppo, and one was wounded in Jarablus.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–25
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civilians injured by alleged Turkish gunfire in Afrin district on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the cities of Afrin (عفرين), Ras Al Ain (رَأْس ٱلْعَيْن), Azaz (أَعْزَاز), Tell Abyad (تَلّ أَبْيَض), Al Bab (الْبَاب), and Jarablus (جَرَابُلُس). The generic coordinates for Afrin are: 36.512278, 36.865389. The generic coordinates for Ras Al Ain are: 36.848621, 40.072403. The generic coordinates for Azaz are: 36.586827, 37.048090. The generic coordinates for Tell Abyad are: 36.691939, 38.951152. The generic coordinates for Al Bab are: 36.372135, 37.516151. The generic coordinates for Jarablus are: 36.818970, 38.007554. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the locations further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–25
  • 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

Sources (6) [ 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

TS096

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Location

تمادا, Tarnada villlage, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.493056, 36.879444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported “the injury of 11 people, including two children, between the Al Ashrafieh neighbourhood and Tarnada village” in an alleged Turkish bombing.

No further details or known sources are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 Tarnada villlage, Afrin (تمادا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.493056, 36.879444. 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
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS160

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent revealed two civilians as wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Rajo, Syria. Both victims were reported as injured by shrapnel.

The type of weapon is unknown.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Othman Haydar Mohammed
42 years old male shrapnel in the arm injured
Hajji Mohammed Baker
39 years old shrapnel in various places 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, Aleppo (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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]