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

TS622

Incident date

August 9, 2023

Location

قرية ام الكيف, village of Um al-Kaif, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was wounded by a mortar strike suspected to have been carried out by the Turkish armed forces on the village of Um al-Kaif in the Tal Tamr countryside on August 9, 2023.

Hawar News reported that Daham Ahmed Muhammad, aged 26, was wounded by shrapnel and taken to Martyr Likrin Hospital to receive treatment. An image shared by Hawar News shows him in hospital with a large medical dressing to the lower left of his back.

NPA reported that six mortar shells struck the village of Um al-Kaif, resulting in the injury of two people.

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

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Daham Ahmed Muhammad دحام أحمد محمد
26 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Daham Ahmed Muhammad, injured by alleged Turkish shelling on August 6, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

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
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS669

Incident date

December 25, 2023

Location

كُوبَانِي, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.891111, 38.353611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the morning of Monday, December 25, 2023, two civilians working for a construction company were injured following alleged Turkish strikes on the city of Kobani (Ain Al-Arab) in northern Syria. According to ANF news, the strikes not only wounded two civilians, but also caused material damage to the citizens’ property.

The Facebook users Kobani Delbrin, Kobani live and Kobani Kobani alleged that Turkish forces were randomly bombing the city of Kobani, including not only the construction company, but also the Mashtanour Hospital (Health Centre) of the Kurdish Red Crescent, a car garage and a car repair shop. Kobani Delbrin and Kobani Hadath shared the images where clouds of smoke arising over the buildings in Kobani can be seen. A Facebook user Kobani my soul also reported about the attack on the Mashtanour health center, sharing images of the destroyed building in fire. North Press Agency news added that this health center was  operating with the support of an international organization (Doctors of the World).

Anha news reported that the Turkish military twice attacked  a company in the city of Kobani in the morning of December 25, but it is not clear whether it was the construction company whose workers were injured, or some other company.

The sources provided different estimations of the strike’s type – while ANF news and Kobani live wrote about the drone attack, Kobani Delbri mentioned both drones and airstrikes, and the North Press Agency reported about the airstrikes.

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

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Kobani facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Kobani facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Hadath facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Hadath facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Hadath facebook

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kobani (كُوبَانِي), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.891111, 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
    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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS228

Incident date

February 25, 2018

Location

حج خليل, Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.678611, 36.683611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Haj Khalil, local media said.

According to Hawar News, “an elderly man has critically been wounded in Haj Khalil village in Rajo area due to the Turkish occupation army’s artillery bombing on the village.

Sources added that the victim was transferred to Afrin hospital for treatment.

Rumaf reported that he had suffered “burns in the face, hands and thighs” and was in “a dangerous condition”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shukri Hajika
60 years old from the village of Haj Khalil injured

Summary

  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man with his face burnt following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 25th February 2018. (via Azadirojava) - PROPAGANDA

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man with his face burnt following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 25th February 2018. (via Hawar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man with his face burnt following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district Afrin, 25th February 2018. (via Rumaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man with his face burnt following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district Afrin, 25th February 2018. (via Rumaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man with his face burnt following an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district Afrin, 25th February 2018. (via Rumaf)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin (حج خليل), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.678611, 36.683611. 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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI009

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Location

شمال العراق, North of Iraq, Iraq

Geolocation

36.915000, 44.041944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that the Turkish air force had bombed sites belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in north Iraq – though there was no information available on civilian harm as a result of these actions.

RT reported that “the Turkish army said on Thursday that the shelling hit targets in the mountainous regions of Zab, Afashin and Baysan in northern Iraq, close to the border with Turkey. The army gave no further details on the timing of the strike or targets, but confirmed that all the aircraft had returned safely.”

According to Alrafdain, “The Turkish Air Force announced that the Turkish planes bombed the camps of the Workers ‘Party militia. This resulted in the destruction of weapons and ammunition stores as part of the Turkish forces’ campaign in south and south-eastern Turkey and northern Iraq.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the province/governorate of North of Iraq (شمال العراق), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.915000, 44.041944. 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
    Unknown
  • 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

TS303

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

الدرباسية, Between Qeremi and Dirbêsiyê, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.054167, 40.613056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on the area between the village of Qeremi and the town center on the Serêkaniyê road, on October 10th 2019 according to local media sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Between Qeremi and Dirbêsiyê (الدرباسية), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.054167, 40.613056. 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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS306B

Incident date

October 9–December 10, 2019

Location

الزيتونة, Al Zeytuniyyah, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.064253, 41.231014 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported killed and several other civilians including children injured in an alleged Turkish forces artillery strike on Al Zeytouniyah in Qamishli, on October 9th or 10th 2019, according to local media sources.

The Investigative Journal reported:  “Qamishlo, Syria-based journalist Baderkhan Ahmad tells the Investigative Journal about Turkey’s assault on northeastern Syria, including the shelling of his neighborhood and the death of one of his neighbor, a Syriac Christian woman. Ahmad and many others in his area were surprised by the scale of Turkey’s attack and had expected the international community to step in. ‘We are very worried for what will happen in my region in the next hours,’ he said. ‘Of course, we still have hope, but the people here don’t trust what Trump is saying.’

Ahvalnews reported that “Turkish air strikes hit a home in Qamishli on Wednesday [Oct 9th], killing one woman and injuring a man and his children, as well as a prison holding ISIS fighters”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Zeytuniyyah (الزيتونة) in the city of Qamishlo (القامشلي‎‭). The generic coordinates for Al Zeytuniyyah are: 37.064253, 41.231014. 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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS358

Incident date

October 18, 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

Five civilians reportedly died in an alleged Turkish airstrike on a convoy in Ras Al Ain.

ameddicleT said: “The Turkish state bombed the convoy of civilians from Serêkaniyê from the Cizre region. [We’re] Unable to obtain clear information on bombing results”.

But laraseligman tweeted:  “A Kurdish source tells me ‘there is no ceasefire at all.’ There was a Turkish airstrike today on a civilian convoy in Ras Al Ain that killed 5 people”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS365a

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.655309, 40.372388 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, one civilian aged 58 was injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Tal Tamr in Hasaka governorate – Syria on October 24th, 2019. No more details currently available.

@DrMWilk reported that “four seriously injured people” were brought to the hospital in Tal Tamr.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Tamr (تل تمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.655309, 40.372388. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]