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

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

TS402

Incident date

December 20, 2019

Location

صيدا, Saida, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.402778, 38.861944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces drone or artillery attack on Saida village in Ain Issa, Raqqa on December 20th, 2019 according to local sources.

The three civilians are said to be in serious conditions.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention strikes in the village of Saida (صيدا) north of Ayn Issa (عين عيسى) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.402778, 38.861944. 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, Airstrike and/or Artillery, 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS403

Incident date

December 24, 2019

Location

زونار, Zunnar, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.534167, 38.726944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured in alleged Turkish or Turkish-backed shelling on Zunnar village of Ain Issa, Raqqa on December 24th, 2019 according to local sources. ANHA reported that the Turkish attack directly targeted civilian areas. Other sources blamed Turkish backed mercenaries.

@Karl_hakon reported that “Turkish-backed mercenaries targeted civilian areas in the Ain Issa countryside with artillery and heavy weapons. One civilian was injured due to an attack on Bir Zinar village when he was cultivating his land.”

@Jamal_Bali7 wrote on Twitter that “Turkish backed jihadists targeted civilian areas in the Ain Issa countryside with artillery and heavy weapons.”

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
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the village of Zunnar (زونار) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.534167, 38.726944. 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
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS404

Incident date

January 1, 2020

Location

تل أبيض, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.691373, 38.949966 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, named as Ammar Alhaji, was reportedly shot dead by members of the al Majd Brigade of the Syrian National Army.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, the man was “shot dead while he was trying to prevent fighters of Turkish-backed Al-Majd Legion from stealing his car.”.

Euphrates Post reported that the victim was a taxi driver.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: “Ammar al Hajji, from Tal Abyad city in the northern suburbs of Raqqa governorate, was killed in a shooting by members of al Majd Brigade of the Syrian National Army in Kendar village in the northern suburbs of Raqqa suburbs, on January 1, 2020.”

The killing led to civilians taking to the streets in protest.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ammar Al-Haji, reportedly shot by members of al Majd Brigade of the Syrian National Army, Tal Abyad, Jan 1st 2020 (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ammar Al-Haji, reportedly shot by members of al Majd Brigade of the Syrian National Army, Tal Abyad, Jan 1st 2020 (via RBSS)
  • Protests in Tal Abayd following the death of Ammar Al-Haji, Jan 1st 2020 (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Abyad (تل أبيض), for which the coordinates are: 36.691373, 38.949966

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS405

Incident date

January 9, 2020

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.391236, 38.858016 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were reported wounded when Turkish drones allegedly targeted an SDF Asayish (Kurdish Public Security Forces) checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa town, in Raqqa governorate of Syria, on January 9th, 2020. Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook Page said one of the civilians endured minor injuries.

@SDF_Syria and @Karl_hakon said that Turkey is continuing to target residential areas putting civilians lives at risk.

While most sources reported that one or two YPG members were injured in the attack, Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook Page said that two YPG/SDF members were killed in the attack. They posted: “The Murder of two #SDF fighters and a civilian got minor injuries as a result of the bombing with a Turkish drone of a checkpoint of #SDF at the entrance to the town of Ain Issa this afternoon.”

 

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
    1–2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Turkish drone strike on Asayish checkpoint in Ain Issa, Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via ANHA)
  • Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish drone attack on Ain Issa in Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via @HeyvasorUK).
  • Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish drone attack on Ain Issa in Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via @HeyvasorUK).

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) town, for which the exact coordinates are: 36.391236, 38.858016

  • Reports of the incident mention a strike on a checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) town

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Landmarks visible to the site of the strike

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Satellite imagery of the site with tagged landmarks

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Location of the water tower seen in the tagged frame

    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
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS406

Incident date

January 11, 2020

Location

باشمرة, Bashmara, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.310464, 36.976003 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was reportedly injured in Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Bashmara, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020, according to ANF News. Two soldiers of the Syrian regime were killed.

North Press Agency Syria reported that “the Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition groups bombed with about 15 shells on Saturday morning the village of Bashmara of Sherawa district, in Afrin countryside”, adding that the shelling killed two members of the Syrian forces.

NPA Syria identified the injured civilian as the woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada, who was transferred to a medical point of the Kurdish Red Crescent.

Hawar News interviewed the 55-year-old woman, who stated: “When I heard the sound of shells, I moved my son, who was quadriplegic, into the house in order to protect him. When I went out again, the shell fell to the meters next to me and I was hit by shrapnel and then they took me to the hospital.”

Her son, Saeed Hamada, told Hawar News his experience of the attack: “In the afternoon hours, while I was sitting in my shop, I heard the sounds of shells falling on the village, and as a result, I entered the store to avoid the shells that fall in the village. (…) While I was sitting in the shop sheltering from the shelling, I heard the sound of another shell that fell in the village and when I wanted to know where it happened? I saw smoke billowing from the house where my mother resides, and I went straight to the house to see what happened”.

Saeed Hamada rushed to his mother’s house: “When I got home, I saw my mother lying on the ground, unable to move, because she had shrapnel in her foot and the blood was flowing from the foot. Immediately, I carried her and transferred her in a vehicle to a point of the Kurdish Red Crescent in the village of Burj Al-Qas, and from that point, we went to Avrin Hospital in Fafin district.”

The son of the injured woman added: “We demand human rights organisations to stand up to mercenary practices and not allow them to continue with these violations that affect civilians.” According to the family, “mercenaries are seeking to empty their areas of their inhabitants”.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

55 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada was injured in a Turkish attack on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via ANF News).
  • The woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada after being injured in a Turkish attack on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via North Press Agency Syria).
  • Site of the incident, Bashandra village, Afrin governorate, January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Photo of Saeed Hamada, who found his mother injured after alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Bashandra village, Afrin governorate, January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • The woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada back in her home after receiving medical help after being injured in a Turkish attack on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Photo of damaged wall after alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Damaged three after alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • The woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada back in her home after receiving medical help after being injured in a Turkish attack on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Interview with the woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada and her son Said after she was injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Bashandra on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention artillery strikes in the village of Bashamra (باشمرة). Investigating audio-visual material from sources and conducting shadow analysis, we have narrowed it down to an exact location, for which the coordinates are: 36.310464, 36.976003

  • Reports of the incident mention artillery strikes in the village of Bashamra (باشمرة). Investigating audio-visual material from sources and conducting shadow analysis, we have narrowed it down to an exact location, for which the coordinates are: 36.310464, 36.976003

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident.

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident.

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident.

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Satellite imagery showing the distribution of buildings tagged in the panoramic stitches.

    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
  • 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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI032

Incident date

January 15, 2020

Location

دوكوري, Dugure, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.471389, 41.745556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and eleven people were killed and up to five people, including one civilian, were reported injured in an alleged Turkish strike on a YBS base in the town of Dugure, Sinjar governorate, on January 15th, 2020, according to local sources.

Ekurd reported that Turkish warplanes had “bombed targets in the Dugure community in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar (Shingal) district. YBS commander Zardasht Shingali and four fighters were killed and five others, including a civilian, were wounded in the bombardment.”

According to Big News Network, the military press office stated that “five YBS members were killed at 11:35 local time (08:35 GMT) this Wednesday in the unidentified airstrike in the Hittin base, in the northern part of the Nineveh Operations Command division.”

Bas News reported eleven killed and stated that the brother of Shingali was also killed. The other nine killed were allegedly also fighters with the YBS. The YBS themselves reported in a written statement that four of their fighters had been killed, according to @dersi4m. An eyewitness told Kurdistan24: “I saw eight dead bodies with my own eyes and there were multiple other wounded people.”

Khadida Joki, director of Sunoon district, north of Sinjar district, said in a statement to Kirkuk Now that “Turkish planes targeted at 11:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, due to the targeting of the headquarters of Sinjar protection units.”

Saeb Khadr Nayef, the representative of the Yazidi quota in the House of Representatives, released a statement after the airstrike, stating that “unknown aircraft, as described by the Iraqi Security Media Cell today, targeted one of the Yezidi complexes (Hittin Complex) located in the north in the Sinjar district, and this is not the first time that In which the Sinjar district is targeted by aircraft that are not officially disclosed by the competent Iraqi authorities, this act that violates the national atmosphere and Iraqi sovereignty has resulted in loss of life and martyrdom of innocent Yazidis, not to mention the state of panic and fear that occurred between the people.”

The incident occured between 11:00 am and 11:35 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the Digure community in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020 (via Ekurd Daily).
  • Zardasht Shingali, chief of YBS, a PKK affiliated group, was reportedly killed in a Turkish airstrike on the village of Dugure, Nineveh province, on January 15th, 2020 (via @BarzanSadiq).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020 (via ANF English).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of Zardasht Shingali, chief of YBS, a PKK affiliated group, was reportedly killed in a Turkish airstrike on the village of Dugure, Nineveh province, on January 15th, 2020 (via @dersi4m).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dugure (دوكوري) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.471389, 41.745556.  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
  • 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
    4–11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS407

Incident date

January 29, 2020

Location

تل رفعت, Tell Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472183, 37.094334 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a child was killed by artillery shelling of the Turkish Forces carried out from areas controlled by their loyal factions. The shelling targeted Tall Rifaat town within areas of deployment of the Kurdish forces north of Aleppo on January 29th, 2020.”

No further details are available at the moment.

The incident was first reported on January 30, 2020 at 12:54 am by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tell Rifaat (تل رفعت), for which the coordinates are: 36.472183, 37.094334

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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]