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

TI042

Incident date

July 26, 2020

Location

the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish, Duhok, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Two men were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on two vehicles near Hasinpirka village, Duhok province, on July 26th, 2020. Sources are conflicted about whether the men were civilians or PKK militants.

Kurdistan24 reported that “a Turkish airstrike in rural parts of the Kurdistan region’s Duhok province killed at least two civilians, a security source told Kurdistan 24 on Sunday. The raid struck and destroyed two vehicles, killing all occupants”, adding that initial reports claimed that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) had been targeted.

ANF Turkey wrote that the strikes hit civilians cars and identified the victims as Dilovan Şahin Omer Kesani and Ebdullah Ehmed. @eha_news, however, reported that two PKK vehicles were struck, adding that “sources report that high-ranking militants have been killed in the operation coordinated between the Turkish intelligence and army.”

Roj News initially reported only one death, but later wrote that two civilians were killed. The same source did write that “Abdullah Ahmed is said to be PKK’s intelligence peshmerga.”

The mayor of the Bamarne sub-district, Hamid Zubair, told Rudaw: “The two vehicles belonged to PKK fighters and they were targeted at [around] 4:30pm on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish villages in Bamarne sub-district, killing two people in the vehicles.” According to Mr Zubair, “the airstrikes did not cause any human losses among civilians.”

According to NRT, one of the victims was a PKK militant, whereas the other was a civilian.

Civil defence teams reportedly put out the fire that was caused by the airstrikes.

The incident occured at approximately 4:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male from Gulle village killed
Adult male from the village of Bendkê killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • The mother of one of the victims of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Duhok province on July 26th, 2020 at the site (via Kurdistan 24)
  • Two vehicles were targeted in alleged Turkish airstrikes in Duhok province on July 26th, 2020 (via Kurdistan24).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • The vehicles that were targeted in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Two vehicles were targeted by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish in Duhok province, July 26th (via ANF).
  • The site after the alleged Turkish airstrike on Duhok province on July 26th (via ANF).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Dohuk province on July 26th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Dilovan Şahin Omer Keşanî and Ebdullah Ehmed were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on July 26th, 2020 (via Roj News).
  • One of the vehicles that was targeted in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via @eha_news).
  • One of the victims of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via @GoranShakhawan).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via @GoranShakhawan).
  • Dilovan Şahin Omer Keşanî and Ebdullah Ehmed were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on July 26th, 2020 (via @Hawar_).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via @MapsZagros).
  • Dilovan Şahin Omer Keşanî and Ebdullah Ehmed were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on July 26th, 2020. It unclear which victim is pictured in this photo (via @afatbaz).
  • Dilovan Şahin Omer Keşanî and Ebdullah Ehmed were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on July 26th, 2020. It unclear which victim is pictured in this photo (via @afatbaz).
  • Vehicles on fire after alleged Turkish airstrikes in Dohuk province on July 26th, 2020 (via @Oliver_Miller70 ).
  • Translation: “Images of the #PKK vehicle targeted by a Turkish F-16 fighter jet in the #Dohuk area of northern #Iraq” (via @aucuneideegtyb).
  • One of the bodies covered by a blanket after alleged Turkish airstrikes on Dohuk province, July 26th (via lswnews).
  • Translation: “The incursion and the attacks of the Turkish army continue to kill people in South Kurdistan. This afternoon, the Turkish air force targeted 2 civilian vehicles in Bamernê, in the province of #Dohuk, killing several people. We do not yet know the number of dead and injured” (via @Le_CDKF).

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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS461

Incident date

December 17, 2020

Location

الجهبل, Al Jahbal, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.408418, 38.902309 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that two civilian males were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Al Jahbal in eastern Ain Issa, Raqqa governorate, on December 17th, 2020.

According to Rudaw, “pro-Turkey militants carried out fresh attacks on Friday against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Ain Issa, with several civilian casualties reported by local outlets.”

@RojavaNetwork tweeted: “Civilian casualties reported as result of Turkish-backed terror groups targeting civilian home in the village of Al-Jahbel, eastern Ain issa.”

North Press Agency Syria reported: “A medical source from Ain Issa said that 31-year-old Yusef Abdo Maamou and his brother, 55-year-old Mustafa Abdo Maamou, were killed when the roof of their home collapsed on them. The source added that the bodies of the two brothers are still under the rubble of their house, and retrieval is impossible due to the village now sitting on the front lines. ” According to the source, the incident took place after midnight.

BissamFM reported that the strikes came from the village of Al Daif, which is about 20 kilometres north of Ain Issa town.

Rudaw wrote that residents of the villages surrounding Ain Issa “have previously told Rudaw of their fears of a Turkish attack, sleeping in deserted areas at night in case of renewed fighting.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

31 years old male killed
55 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    YPG/SDF

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Jahbal (الجهبل), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.408418, 38.902309. 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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    YPG/SDF

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI067 YI002

Incident date

August 30, 2021

Location

مخيم قاديا, Qadia Camp, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.059570, 42.620141 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed and three to four others, including two children and an elderly man, were injured – all from the same family – when an alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or Turkish IED exploded in Qadiya refugee camp.

According to the Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union (KCK), “in the late evening hours of August 30, 2021, an explosion occurred in the Qadiya refugee camp in the Zaxo region of the Kurdistan Region Iraq, killing two children and injuring numerous people”. The statement added that those living in the camp are Yazidi people who fled when ISIS occupied their towns in the Sinjar region.

Bas News quoted the Yazidi activist and former deputy in the Iraqi parliament, Vian Dakhil, as saying that the bombing “resulted in the death of two innocent children and the injury of 5 others, including three critical injuries”. Bas News added that among the two children killed was a one year old and a nine year old from the same family, in addition to an officer with Asayish, the Kurdish security and intelligence organization.

Abdulstar Mustafa, deputy head of Zakho emergency hospital, told Rudaw’s Yousif Musa that “At 10:15 we were told that an explosion had occurred at Qadia camp and there were injuries. Our teams got there immediately. We received five of the injured. Of those five injured, two of them died before they arrived.”

Rudaw News added that two children, aged four and nine, were injured, as well as a 63-year-old man. Hassan Ibrahim, the grandfather of the deceased, told Rudaw an explosive device was put under their caravan. He was injured in the explosion and taken to hospital for treatment.

The director of the Asayish district of Zakho, Shavan Sindi, told BasNews, “The explosion was caused by an explosive device that was planted in front of the cabin of an officer with the rank of major in the Kurdistan Region’s Asayish forces, Sheikh Hassan Ibrahim Samuqi, who was wounded in the explosion.” He added that the officer had been subject to death threats from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Al Taakhi Press reported that the explosion was caused by an explosive device planted in front of a cabin belonging to Hassan Samouqi. Al Taakhi also reported that two children were killed but put the toll of injuries at three, all from the same family, including Samouqi.

The mayor of Simel District, Khalil Mahmoud, added that the explosion caused damage to four cabins and a car.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to the PKK. However, the KCK blamed Turkey for the attack and refuted claims by the Kurdistan Democratic Party that the PKK was responsible, stating that “All witness accounts and the manner of the explosion indicate that this was an attack by the Turkish state”.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Victims of the bombing of Qadia Camp on August 30th arrive at the hospital for treatment. (Image posted by Rudaw News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Qadia refugee camp (مخيم قاديا), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.059570, 42.620141. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

YPG Assessment:

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI077

Incident date

February 15, 2022

Location

شيلادزي, Shiladze, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.034762, 43.779316 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man was killed in alleged Turkish strikes near the town of Shiladze in Amedi district on February 15th 2022, according to local reports.

Hawar News quoted Roj News Agency, which reported that Hussain Haider (Hussein Rikani) was killed in Turkish bombings of the villages in the Shiladze district of Başûr.

North Press Agency reported that Haider, the civilian killed in the airstrikes, was a resident of the Siri complex in Shiladze district and was married and had ten children, according to press reports. Alyaum TV add that was found in the “Neroh and Rikan area” and that he was 50 years old.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Hussain Haider (Hussein Rikani), killed in airstrikes on the Shiladze district of Başûr on February 15, 2022. (Image posted by @sheladze__)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Shiladze (شيلادزي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.034762, 43.779316. 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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS519

Incident date

June 20, 2022

Location

راجو, Rajo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

A man was killed when an alleged Turkish armored vehicle ran him over while he was walking in the town of Rajo of Afrin on June 20, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a civilian from Rajo district in Afrin was killed when a Turkish armored vehicle ran over him in the center of Rajo district. SOHR added that the civilian that was killed owned a food shop in Rajo district.

Baladi News correspondent in Aleppo countryside said that a man in his fifties named “Rasheed Mahk“, nicknamed “Abu Subhi”, was run over by a Turkish armored vehicle while it was passing through the town’s market. The incident occurred in the morning in front of the military police headquarters.

A local source told Ezdina that ” the Turkish military vehicle deliberately ran over the civilian, and although the driver of the Turkish vehicle stopped, he did not attempt to rescue him”. All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the death to a Turkish military vehicle.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

"Rasheed Mahk", nicknamed "Abu Subhi" "رشيد محك" الملقب "أبو صبحي"
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Use of objects and other means
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of "Rasheed Mahk", nicknamed "Abu Subhi"was killed when a Turkish armored vehicle ran him over in the Rajudistrict of Afrin on June 20, 2022. (Image posted by Baladi News)
  • "Rasheed Mahk", nicknamed "Abu Subhi"was killed when a Turkish armored vehicle ran him over in the Rajudistrict of Afrin on June 20, 2022. (Image posted by Ezdina)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Rajo (راجو), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.676477, 36.664002. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Use of objects and other means
  • 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

TS545

Incident date

August 10, 2022

Location

قرية ملا سباط, Mulla Sibat village, Qamishli countryside, Al-Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.920833, 40.773611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed when a Turkish drone strike targeted a car in the village of Mulla Sibat in the countryside of Qamishli, Syria, on August 10th 2022. Between two and three militants were killed in the same strike.

A local source on Facebook, Qamishlo Republic, reported that Adeeb Nuri Hamsho from the village of Mulla Sibat headed towards the military vehicle that was bombed to try and rescue those in the car, when another shell hit him near the targeted vehicle, resulting in his death.

There were reports that two PKK/PYD militants were also killed in this attack, described by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as one leader and one member, while some sources said that three militants were killed.

South Front pointed out that the Syrian Arab Army (regime forces) maintain a post near the village of Mulla Sibat where a grain storage facility for the government is also located.

The SDF released a statement which stated that a “Turkish drone” hit the car at around 5pm on August 10th, killing two members and one civilian. The SDF statement reported that the militant names were Dijwar Kobane, a commander, and Bahour Radwan Anez, also known as Chey Kobane, in addition to pointing out that Dijwar had been involved in many battles against ISIS in different regions.

Anadolu Agency, the Turkish state-run news agency, reported that MIT (the National Intelligence Organization) acknowledged killing Muhsin Yağan, code-named “Dijvar Silopi”, the so-called Qamishli state director of the PKK/YPG, adding that he was the planner and implementer of many terrorists acts on the border line against security forces.

The incident occured at 17:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Adeeb Nuri Hamsho
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Two SDF militants reportedly killed by Turkish strike on Qamalshi countryside on August 10th 2022 (Image via ANHA English)
  • Adeeb Nuri Hamsho, reportedly killed by a Turkish strike which targeted and killed two SDF members on August 10th 2022 (Image via Wamishlo Republic / Facebook)
  • Reported Turkish drone strike targeted SDF vehicle in Mulla Sibat, killing one civilian (Image via RIC Arabic)
  • Picture of the SDF vehicle that was targeted by a reported Turkish strike in Qamalshi countryside on August 10th 2022 (Image via Qamishlo)
  • A video documenting scenes of a Turkish march targeting a civilian car in the village of Mulla Sibat, south of Qamishlo, which resulted in casualties and injuries to civilians.
  • Muhsin Yağan, code-named "Dijvar Silopi", a member of the SDF killed by Turkish forces on August 10, 2022. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Muhsin Yağan, code-named "Dijvar Silopi", a member of the SDF killed by Turkish forces on August 10, 2022. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mulla Sibat (ملا سباط), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.920833, 40.773611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS583

Incident date

December 25, 2022

Location

تنب, Tenab, Afrin, Syria

Geolocation

36.496130, 37.003320 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 25th 2022, a child was reportedly killed and between one to two civilians including a a child and a young man were reportedly injured by Turkish artillery shelling on a house in Tenab village (Tanab village), Shara district, Afrin. The attack also led to material damage.

Local sources identified the child killed as Asaad Mahameed (16 years old), and one of  the injured as his relative Ahmed Mahameed (17-18 years old). The second civilian injured was identified as Khaled Sheikh Taha (16 years old). However, several local sources recorded two civilians injured following the attack, while Ghadb Al-Shimal said one child was killed and a young man injured. SOHR claimed that Turkish forces launched a guided missile from Jabel village in Sherawa district.

ANHA added that the two injured were first taken to Tal Rifaat Hospital, and then to Afrin in al-Shahba district. The same source, quoting the director of Afrin hospital, said that one of them was seriously injured and transported to Aleppo for treatment. He said this choice was also due to lack of medical equipments and supplies in Afrin hospitals. The other one, whose injuries were qualified as “minor”, was later “discharged and taken home”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Asaad Mahameed أسعد محاميد
16 years old male killed
Ahmed Mahameed أحمد محاميد
17-18 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Khaled Sheikh Taha خالد الشيخ طه
16 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures of the child reportedly killed and the two other civilians injured, including a child, following reported Turkish shelling in Tenab village. Photo: Hawarnews
  • Picture following reported Turkish artillery shelling on Tanab village on December 25th 2022. Photo: آدار برس - Adar Press
  • Material damage following reported Turkish artillery shelling on Tenab village on December 25th 2022. Photo: آدار برس - Adar Press

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tenab (تنب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.496130, 37.003320. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS612

Incident date

July 16, 2023

Location

قرية حسن اغا, Hasan Agha village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 16th July 2023, a male civilian was reportedly injured by a Turkish drone strike on a car in the village of Hasan Agha, located to the south of the city of Manbij.

44 year-old Ahmed Al-Jassem was injured and taken to the nearest hospital for treatment and has subsequently been released.

An initial Facebook post published by the Manbij Military Council Media Center alleged that the strike on a civilian vehicle took place at around 11:30 am. However, both the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and the North Press reported that Ahmed Al-Jassem was injured by the Turkish strike on a military vehicle of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).  A further Facebook post by Minbij News reported that the incident left one member of SDF dead and two others injured.

The incident occured at approximately 11:30 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Al-Jassem أحمد الجاسم
44 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Site of impact from alleged Turkish drone strikes in Hasan Agha village on July 16, 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
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (9) [ collapse]