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

TS627

Incident date

September 5, 2023

Location

قرية الحويجة, Al-Hawija village, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

A male civilian was injured in a bombing suspected to have been carried out by the Turkish military during the night of September 5, 2023 in Al-Hawija village in Ain Issa district. A Hawar News correspondent named the injured civilian as 23 year old Khalil Ibrahim Al-Hamad who was taken to the National Hospital in Raqqa for treatment; it is unclear what injuries he sustained in the attack.

Several homes were damaged in the attack. Images shared by Hogir Necar were taken during the night with reduced visibility but show the resulting damage in three different locations, including a hole in an external residential building the size of a doorway, and rubble scattered on the street from another location damaged by the bombing. Hawar News discussed this bombing attack alongside a further context of recent use of “machine guns and heavy weapons” in the area by the Turkish Army.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Ibrahim Al-Hamad
23 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
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling in Ain Issa district on September 5, 2023. (Image posted by Hogir necar via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling in Ain Issa district on September 5, 2023. (Image posted by Hogir necar via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling in Ain Issa district on September 5, 2023. (Image posted by Hogir necar via Facebook)

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
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS137

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Location

راحو, Rajo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that six civilian males were injured – some seriously – in the Rajo area of Afrin Canton.

In a report seen by Airwars six civilians were named as injured – see list below.

Ta3oob_11 reported that “Turkish aircraft heavily bombarded civilian homes in the areas of Raju and Jenders, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rojin Qahraman
16 years old male injured
Osman Hyder Muhammad
62 years old male injured
Amad Tolhildan
20 years old male injured
Giwan Rashed
29 years old male injured
Ali Shekri Abdo
35 years old male injured
Sepan Abdo
38 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rajo (راحو), 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
    6
  • 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

TS168

Incident date

February 9, 2018

Location

رمضانة, Ramadana, Jindires, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.498611, 36.655000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, SotKurdistan, reported that, “on Thursday, the two men, Farhad Ibash (50) and Adel Abdul Hanan (50), were injured by the Turkish bombardment of Rumdana village, Syria.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Farhad Ibash
50 years old male injured
Adel Abdul Hanan
50 years old male 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 Ramadana, Jindires (رمضانة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.498611, 36.655000. 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]

Incident Code

TS200

Incident date

February 15, 2018

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent named one civilian was wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Shya, Syria.

The male victim was named at 21, who reportedly was wounded by shrapnel in the foot.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Dawood
21 years old male shrapnel in the foot injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 village of Shya, Afrin (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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS264

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

ماراتا , villages of Marate and Tirinde, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.499722, 36.801389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, an unidentified number of civilians were wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling on villages of Marate and Tirinde, Afrin.

IC Afrin Resistance indicates that Turkish warplanes bombed Afrin city, Afrin district and the villages of Maratê and Tirinde. There were a high number of injuries reported.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • 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 villages of Marate and Tirinde, Afrin (ماراتا ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.499722, 36.801389. 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
    0–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS300

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Location

Ashme, Kobane, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.894878, 38.312931 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Ashme Village in Kobane, Aleppo governorate, October 9th 2019 according to local media.

No additional public information is presently known about this claim.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ehmed Xidir Dender
Age unknown male injured

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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Ashme, Kobane, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.894878, 38.312931. 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS335

Incident date

October 13, 2019

Location

رأس العين ,الجامع الكبير , Next to Al Jamia Al Kabir in Ras Al Ayn, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.849174, 40.072031 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian harm incident, between 6 and 19 civilians – including at least four journalists from multiple countries – died and as many as 74 others were wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on a convoy, made up from around 400 civilian vehicles, heading from Al Jazira to Ras Al Ain, local media said.

The highest death count was given as 19 by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Multiple other sources said that 11 civilians died with 74 more wounded. Journalists from countries including Brazil, France, and the Ukraine were among the victims. The Kurdish Red Crescent however put the death toll at 7, and said 56 people were injured.

Casualties were taken to the hospital in Til Temir, with a source at the hospital stating that “40 were wounded and died altogether”.

A journalist and eyewitness of the event described it to Amnesty International as “an absolute massacre”. According to the journalist, “the convoy was made up of around 400 civilian vehicles and that there were no fighters present, only a handful of armed guards protecting the convoy”.

Extensive biographical detail was given by ANHA on 53-year-old Eqîde Eli Osman. The source said: “Eqîde Eli Osman (53), who was known for his patriotism in Girkê Legê, recognized the Kurdish Freedom Movement in 1980. Eqîde Eli Osman, who was actively involved in the struggle, was subjected to the detention and arrests of the Syrian regime. Eqîde Elî Osman, a member of Yekitiya Star Management, and then Eqîde Elî Osman, who became a Star member of the Congress, was martyred in the air raid on the civilian convoy in Serêkaniyê on October 13 by the occupying Turkish army.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalid Khelil
60 years old male from Til Hemis injured
Abdulkerim Yusuf Abdullah
40 years old male from Tirbespiye injured
Kawa Sileyman Haco
42 years old male from Tirbespiye injured
Abdurrahman Ahmed Hadi
41 years old male from Til Hemis injured
Evin Yusuf El Heci
45 years old female from Til Kocher injured
Behiya Cima Şexo
79 years old from Tirbespiye injured
Jwan Zelfo
25 years old male injured
Ersin Çaksu
Age unknown male ANF Journalist. @HiwaDilan_71 tweeted victim killed. injured
Mehmet Ekinci
Age unknown male Journalist with ANHA. @HiwaDilan_71 tweeted victim killed. injured
Bircan Yıldız
Age unknown female Journalist with ANHA. @HiwaDilan_71 said victim killed injured
Rojbîn Akçin
Age unknown male Journalist. @HiwaDilan_71 said victim killed injured
Mihemed Ekincî
Age unknown male ANHA Agency Journalist injured
Mohammed Hassan Reşo
Age unknown male Journalist killed
Eqîde Eli Osman (Eqîde Anne)
53 years old male killed
Şiyar Brahim
Age unknown Stêrk TV employee injured
Emel Yunus
Age unknown female Stêrk TV announcer. @HiwaDilan_71 said victim killed. injured
Cevad Qamishlo
17 years old male injured
Abdulrahman Ahmad Hadi
45 years old male Head wound injured
Hesan Adnan
24 years old male injured
Mneefa Saaed Jumaa
43 years old female injured
Mihammed Xidir
28 years old male injured
Waddah
17 years old injured
Abdulqadir Raqip
19 years old male injured
Talal Yusuf Abdullah
19 years old male injured
Dilsoz Dildar
Adult male NPA journalist. @HiwaDilan_71 said victim killed. injured
Ebdulreşîd Mihemed
Adult male Journalist injured
Seed Ehmed
Adult male Journalist with ANHA killed
Abdul Jabbar Jasim
37 years old male injured
Adam Ahmad
16 years old male injured
Ahmad Salih
25 years old male injured
Alaa Salim Hassan
20 years old male injured
Alan Youssef Abdullah,
19 years old male injured
Ammar Ahmad Osman
19 years old male
Arseen Jakso
Age unknown Farat Agency Journalist injured
Berman
Age unknown female
Beshir Ayed
40 years old male injured
DlSoz Kute
22 years old female injured
Emina Salim Esmail
46 years old female injured
Fayz Muhammad Khalil
30 years old male injured
George Abdulahad
20 years old male injured
Ghazala Hameed
26 years old female injured
Hayez Adel al Aubyed
30 years old male injured
Huner Ahmad
Age unknown male rudaw tv journalist injured
Jamil Ahmad Al ahmad
65 years old male injured
Jazya Hussein Hwarny
63 years old female injured
Loai
18 years old male injured
Mahmoud Kheder Nawaf
18 years old male injured
Mervet Muhammad Emin
30 years old female injured
Mhrajan Nwaf Sulaiman
50 years old male injured
Muna Naser Sananeek
45 years old female injured
Muzeffer Mahmoud Yousif,
45 years old male injured
Nawaf Etallah Sabah
28 years old male injured
Nisreen Mesho
39 years old female injured
Nsreen Mesto Maashooq
38 years old female injured
Numan Ahmed
42 years old male injured
Rasheed Muhammad Muhammad
24 years old male injured
Swar Khesho
22 years old male injured
Tagreed Al huseen
26 years old female injured
Taha Mahmoud Yousif,
38 years old male injured
Talal Al Hawar
50 years old male injured
Youssef Jasm Habib,
18 years old male injured
Rojhilat Yeldiz
22 years old female injured
Fayz Mahmoud Baqi,
Age unknown male killed
Saad Ahmad
Age unknown male HAWAR Agency Journalist killed
Ezzeldeen Mahmoud Yousif
62 years old male killed
Muhammad Hussein Resho
Age unknown male KRC List - Journalist killed
Saad Ahmad
Age unknown male KRC List - Journalist killed
Hawas Ali al Hussen
28 years old male broken leg injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 19
  • (1–2 women6–17 men5–6 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    56–75
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Translation: "ANHA agency reporter Seed Ehmed lost his life in the Serêkaniyê attack today. Four of uur journalist friends were also injured."

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: "Journalist of the Kurdish news agency ANHA #MihemedEkenci has been wounded in Turkish army’s shelling on Serekaniye while covering Turkey’s bombardements in the city #TwitterKurds"

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of victims of the alleged Turkish airstrike on a convoy traveling from Al Jazira to Ras Al Ain, Hasaka governorate, on October 13th 2019 receiving medical care (via @hawarnews).
  • 9th to 30th of october doc

    KRC List

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that shelling and airstrikes targeted the convoy in Ras Al Ayn (رأس العين). After investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed this location down to a point in a street next to Al Jamia Al Kabir, the coordinates for which are: 36.849174, 40.072031.

  • Reports of the incident mention that shelling and airstrikes targeted the convoy in Ras Al Ayn (رأس العين). After investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed this location down to a point in a street next to Al Jamia Al Kabir.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from incident.

    Imagery:
    ANF

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from incident.

    Imagery:
    ANF

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • 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
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 19
  • (1–2 women6–17 men5–6 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    56–75
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS355

Incident date

October 17, 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

Two or three civilians were reportedly executed by Turkish-supported forces in Ras Al Ain.

@RodiSad tweeted “Photos of killed civilians in RasAl-Ain, who were field-executed on the Hasakah road. The field execution was obvious and was carried out on October 17th by Turkish-backed Sultan Murat militias. One of the killed is a friend of mine. He is civilian used to own a cafeteria that I used to go”.

@sincan2023 tweeted “Member of #Turkey-led Sultan Murad islamist group, called Haytham, killed a civilian from Ras Al-Ain, called his wife and asked her to return to the city or #Turkey, he also sent her his photo with victim phone in front of him.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Ahmad Sino
Adult male killed
Rasho
Adult male killed
Shiyar Mahmoud Osman
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ 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
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]