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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Turkish Military
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Incident Code

TS426

Incident date

April 1, 2020

Location

ربيعات, Rabiaat, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.820000, 40.333333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were injured in artillery strikes on the village of Rabiaat, near Abu Rasin/Zarkan area on April 1st, 2020. Local sources blamed Turkish forces and/or Turkish-backed factions.

Hawar News reported that “the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries returned to shelling Zarkan area and its countryside with missiles and rockets intensively this evening”, resulting in four injured civilians.

Hawar added that the names of the victims are Muhammed Khader Sayeil (40), Haitham Yousef Wazou (25), Jaziya Ali (30) and Yassin Ramadan (25).

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a family of four was injured as a result of shelling by Turkish forces and proxy factions on the village of Rabia’at in rural Abu Rassin”, but other sources to do not mention a possible family band between the victims, nor do the reported victims share surnames.

According to Kurdistan24, “Turkish-backed radical groups hit the town of Zirgan [Zarkan], also known as Abu Rasin, about 20 kilometres east of Serekaniye, by mortar shells, which wounded several civilians and destroyed dozens of houses.”

A civilian from Zarkan area, Abu Mohammed, told Kurdistan24: “Amid the curfew imposed to stop any spread of coronavirus, we are suffering from shelling by Turkish forces and their allied Syrian militant groups, so where shall we go?”

Sources reported the victims were treated in the hospital of Tal Tamr.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammed Khader Sayeil
40 years old male injured
Haitham Yousef Wazou
25 years old male injured
Jaziya Ali
30 years old female injured
Yassin Ramadan
25 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Man receiving medical help in a hospital after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via @vdcnsy).
  • One of the injured men in the hospital after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via @vdcnsy).
  • Woman receiving medical help in a hospital after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via @vdcnsy).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via @vdcnsy).
  • Injured arm of a civilian after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • One of the victims receiving medical help after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • One of the injured in the hospital after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Injured chest and arm of a civilian after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Injuries of a civilian after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Injured knee of a civilian after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • One of the witnesses of narrating the event after alleged Turkish or Turkish-back artillery strikes on the town of Rabia'at, near Abu Rasin, on April 2nd, 2020 (via @HishamArafatt s).

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the village of Rabiaat (ربيعات) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.820000, 40.333333. 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
    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

TS427

Incident date

April 2, 2020

Location

تل قبر الصغير و العبوش, Qabr Al Saqir and Al Abosh, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.747222, 40.389722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were injured in artillery strikes by allegedly Turkish forces and allied militants, on the villages of Qabr Al Saqir and Al Abosh in Tal Tamr district on April 2nd, 2020, according to local sources.

According to Abna24, local sources told SANA, Syria’s official news agency, that “Turkish troops and their proxies targeted buildings in the villages of Qabr Al Saqir and Al Abosh, which lie in the Tall Tamr district of the province, on Thursday afternoon, leaving two civilians dead and four others injured.” The sources also reported material damage to civilians’ property.

@smmsyria tweeted that “two civilians were martyred and four others were injured in a shelling attack launched by #Turkish occupation forces and its proxies on villages in Tal Tamr in #Hasakah Governorate.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Qabr Al Saqir (تل قبر الصغير) and Al Abosh (العبوش). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of Al Abosh. The generic coordinates for Qabr Al Saqir are: 36.747222, 40.389722.

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
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS428

Incident date

April 2, 2020

Location

أم الكيف, Um al Keif, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.681181, 40.329241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured in alleged Turkish forces shelling on Um al Keif in Tal Tamr, Hasaka, Syria on April 2nd, 2020 according to ANF News.

The source reported that Turkish forces have been heavily shelling Tal Tamr region, and that “the aggression led to injury of 27-year-old Khalid Mihemed Ibrahim in the village of Um al Keif”

Mother of the injured civilian spoke to a news agency saying that “the Turkish occupation army started to bomb the village at around 12 at noon. My son was hit by shrapnel pieces. We rushed him to hospital without losing time.”

The civilian is in a stable condition.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Khalid Mihemed Ibrahim
27 years old male injured

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khalid Mihemed Ibrahim, aged 27, was injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Um Al Kaf in Tal Tamr, Syria on April 2nd, 2020 (via ANF).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vilage of Um al Keif (أم الكيف) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.681181, 40.329241. 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
    1
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS429

Incident date

April 4, 2020

Location

The road between Efdikê and Kopirlik, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.684904, 38.764007 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

ANHA reported that Turkish forces targeted a civilian car on the road between Tal Abyad and the village of Avidko in Raqqa, Syria on April 4th, 2020 leading to the injury of a civilian. ANF later said three civilians were in the car and that they got injured.

It was reported also that Turkey-backed militants kidnapped the injured civilian and took him to an unknown destination.

No further information is available at the moment.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports on the incident mention the road between the villages of Efdikê and Kopirlik for which the generic coordinates are: 36.684904, 38.764007. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports on the incident mention the road between the villages of Efdikê and Kopirlik.

    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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS430

Incident date

April 9, 2020

Location

كفرنايا, Kafr Naya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.420833, 37.073889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

ANF reported that a civilian was injured in the village of Kafr Naya in Aleppo, Syria in alleged Turkish shelling on April 9th, 2020. The civilian is identified as Khaled Oso, aged 42.

“The Turkish army and allied mercenaries have carried out an artillery attack on the villages of Sheikh Hilal and Kafr Naya in Shehba region at around 17:30 local time Thursday afternoon. The bombardment on Kafr Naya injured a 42-year-old civilian named Khalid Oso and caused material damage on the houses of the residents.The man has been taken to the Afrin Hospital in the Fafin district.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Oso
42 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the town of Kafr Naya (كفرنايا) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.420833, 37.073889. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS432

Incident date

April 10, 2020

Location

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.437500, 36.968333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported renewed rocket shelling by Turkish forces and the factions loyal to it on areas under the control of the Kurdish and regime forces in the northern countryside of Aleppo on April 10th, 2020.

The intense shelling targeted the villages of Aqeeba, Soghankeh, Ziyara, Dergemal, Beina and other areas located in the Shirawa district northwest of Aleppo and led to the injury of a civilian in the village of Aqiba, in addition to the killing of a member of the regime forces and the injury of others.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1–2

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Aqiba (عقيبة) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.437500, 36.968333. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1–2

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS434a

Incident date

May 13, 2020

Location

مرناز , Maranaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.550776, 37.015300 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported injured in alleged shelling by Turkish forces on Maranaz in Aleppo on May 13th, 2020.

@NotWoofers tweeted “Additional report of a civilian casualty from Turkish shelling tonight. A young boy has been severely peppered by shrapnel.”

No further details are available.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Maranaz (مرناز), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.550776, 37.015300. 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS435

Incident date

May 16, 2020

Location

Qeşqa, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.630682, 40.024910 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and an unknown number of others was wounded when Turkish forces and Turkey-backed militants opened fire at a car in northwest Ras Al Ayn city on May 16th, 2020.

A reporter for the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), which is affiliated with the Syrian regime, in Hasaka stated that “the occupation forces and their mercenaries intentionally opened fire on a van coming for Raqqa city near a checkpoint for the occupation mercenary on Saturday [May 16th]”, adding that the killed man worked in a school while the injured man is a retired worker from an electricity company.

@IbrahimDSY wrote on Twitter that there had been “one civilian martyr and another wounded, as the Turkish occupation forces and its terrorist mercenaries, fired on a civilian car near a terrorist barrier southwest of Ras Al Ayn.”

ANF stated that “the slain civilian is Mihemed Hesen El Cabir from the village of Migrin, west of Til Helef, who was on his way home back from Raqqa last night with others when Turkish-backed jihadists opened fire on the group. Several other people were injured. The man’s body was taken to Selam Hospital in Serêkaniyê.”

@vvanwilgenburg, however, reported that two civilians were killed, naming them as Mihemed Xidir Husên and Ziyab El-Elî.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Mihemed Xidir Husên
Adult male killed
Ziyab El-Elî
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qeşqa, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.630682, 40.024910. 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 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]