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

TS652

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

قرية الشيخ عيسى, Sheikh Esa, Aleppo countryside, Syria

Airwars assessment

In the morning of Sunday, October 22nd, 2023, an alleged Turkish artillery strike seriously injured a woman in the village of Sheikh Esai n the Al-Shahba countryside, north of Aleppo. According to Alyaum News, civilian property was also damaged by the strike.

According to the Human Rights Organization Afrin – Syria, the 22-year-old woman, named as Samira Khaled Issa, was injured by shrapnel from an artillery shell fired by the Turkish forces. She was transferred to Tal Rifaat Hospital to receive treatment, as depicted by images of the woman on a hospital bed.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Turkish military.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Samira Khaled Issa سميرة خالد عيسى
22 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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
    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.

    Source: ANF news

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
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS114

Incident date

January 23, 2018

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that four civilians including two children were injured in the vicinity of Shya in Afrin canton.

YPG news reported Turkish bombing, but made no mention of civilian casualties.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hesen Hemkalino
16 years old male named through a report shared with Airwars injured
Rojhat Ahmad
3 years old named through a report shared with Airwars injured
Asya Shekh Murad
70 years old female named through a report shared with Airwars injured
Fareda Kolen
56 years old female named through a report shared with Airwars injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 town of Shya (شيا عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.496944, 36.598333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS209

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

قرية قوتا, ريف عفرين , Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.7737831, 36.8417072 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple local sources: two civilians were wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages.

Claudia, a Kurdish activist reported on Twitter, one civilian was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Quta villages. Furthermore, Afrin Now and Hawar news named an additional civilian who got fragments and breaking in his thigh, which is later named by the Kurdish Red Crescent also named the victim and reported that he was 17-years-old.

The source PYD Rojava also reported the injury of a civilian. According to Hawar news, dozens of shells fell on the villages.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Kawa Ahmed Habib.
17 years old shrapnel fragments in his thigh injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • Footage shows the destruction of the buildings after being shelled by allegedly Turkish on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source pyd rojava)
  • A picture shows some destruction in the buildings following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: @ClaudiaAlMinah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured civilian, being treated following alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows destruction in the building following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows destruction in the building following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows a destroyed motorbike, being targeted following alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (قرية قوتا, ريف عفرين ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.7737831, 36.8417072. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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

TS309

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Location

القامشلي, Qamishli, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.889165, 38.353649 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reported  killed, and three others injured in an alleged Turkish forces artillery strike on Qamishli city, October 11th, 2019 according to local media sources.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Suleiman Abbas
Adult male killed
Hussein Kashou
Adult male killed
Messoud
36 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A wounded civilian following an alleged Turkish strike on Qamishli, Oct 11th (via Hawar news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Qamishli (كوباني), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.889165, 38.353649. 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
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS342

Incident date

October 15, 2019

Location

الفارات, Al Farat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.574629, 37.805800 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that 2 civilians were killed and 15 people were injured in an alleged Turkish shelling in the village of Al Farat, west of Manbij.

In a Kurdish Red Crescent document shared with Airwars, 15 people have been identified as injured, among which 10 children (including a child whose name is mentioned twice in the list). Sources posted images of casualties. ANHA reported 13 wounded, of which 4 children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Yasin Al Khedir
12 years old male wounded by fragments in body injured
Wefa Al Khedir
28 years old female abdomen injury injured
Rabeya Al Ali Al Khedir,
18 years old female fragments in the left hand injured

Family members (5)

Razan Al Mousa
5 years old female fragments in legs injured
Ebrahim Al Mousa
3 years old male fragments in left leg injured
Ali Al Mousa
11 years old male fragments in legs injured
Mouhammad Al Mousa
10 years old male fragments in left leg injured
Muhammad Al Mousa
10 years old male fragments in the left leg

Family members (3)

Ruqaya Al Safri
13 years old female broken leg injured
Rezan Al Safri
5 years old female fragments in head injured
Bedriya Al Safri
13 years old female leg broken injured

The victims were named as:

Ehmed Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Mihemed Abdullah El-Seferî
Adult male killed
Kamla Al Muhammad Kher
40 years old female wounded by fragments in the right leg injured
Nermeen Al Ali
18 years old female broken bones injured
Ebrahim Abdullah
43 years old male fragments in the left leg injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–15
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Farat ( الفارات), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.574629, 37.805800. 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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–15
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS359B

Incident date

October 18, 2019

Location

Tirbe Sipiye, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.962992, 40.532942 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including a child were reported injured in alleged Turkish forces attack on Tirbe Sipiye in Hassaka Governorate on October 18th, 2019 according to local sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamed Abdi Reyad
23 years old male injured
Hamoud Shendi
22 years old male injured
Wassim Suleiman
13 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tirbe Sipiye, allegedly in the Hassakah (الحسكة‎) governorate. Research indicated the possible location as a village similarly named Tirbe Spî, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.962992, 40.532942. 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
    3
  • 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

TS384

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

جامع الصديق , Al Seddiqe Mosque, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207338, 37.143774 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and “many” injured in an alleged Turkey-backed militants’ artillery attack on the Al-Cemîliye neighbourhood, in Aleppo, Syria, on November 6th, 2019 according to local sources.

The Al Siddiqe Mosque was reportedly targeted.

Some sources blamed the Jabhat al-Nusra group.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

bd al-Hadi Janbaz
28 years old male killed
Basil al-Dhafiri
29 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Unknown

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the attack.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the attack.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike in the vicinity of Al Seddiqe Mosque (جامع الصديق), within the Jamiliyeh (الجميلية) neighbourhood of Aleppo (ﺣَﻠَﺐ‎). The exact coordinates of the mosque are: 36.207338, 37.143774.

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Unknown

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS329A

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.848579, 40.073576 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Th Kurdish Red Crescent reported that a child aged 11 was injured in the head in Ras Al Ain, Syria on October 12th, 2019 as a result of the Turkey operation.

No further details available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Abdullah Abdu
11 years old male KRC injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ras Al Ain (رأس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.848579, 40.073576. 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
  • 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]