Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

TS629

Incident date

September 17, 2023

Location

عامودا, Qamishlo-Amuda road, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between two and eight civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Ali Faro Road between Qamishlo and Amuda on September 17, 2023. Up to four militants were killed and three others were injured in the original strike, while the civilians were injured in a double tap strike as they tried to help the injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four militants, including a commander, were killed and three members of the Internal Security Forces and two young male civilians on a motorbike were injured by shrapnel from a Turkish drone strike on the commander’s vehicle.

According to FOX Press, two members of the Internal Security Forces were killed and eight civilians were injured by the Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle on the road linking Qamishlo and Amuda. FOX Press added that the civilians were injured while they were trying to treat the injured from a previous strike and take them to the hospital.

Eastern Post Network posted on Facebook that a leader in the SDF named Ayman Joi was among the others killed, with this source reporting two others killed in the incident.

The North Press Agency identified the incident as occurring on the Ali Faro Road. All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle on the Qamishlo-Amuda road on September 17, 2023. (Image posted by Dilovan Çeto via Facebook)
  • Ayman Joli, alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle on the Qamishlo-Amuda road on September 17, 2023. (Image posted by Eastern Post Network via Facebook)
  • The leader in the ranks of #SDF, called Ayman Joli, was killed with two of his companions as a result of an air strike by a Turkish drone that targeted their car on the Qamishli-Amuda road this morning

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
    2–8
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS107

Incident date

January 22, 2018

Location

راس العين, Kotana, Afrin, Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.843889, 40.072222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported that “three wounded civilians arrived at Rouge Hospital in the city of Ras al-Ain (about 70 km northwest of the city of Hassaka), including a woman and a 14-year-old boy who were injured by the Turkish army targeting the grain silos area in the city of Ras al-Ain with two mortars.”

However, according to Baladi, the dead and wounded were Kurdish fighters. It said that “the Turkish army shelled the Kurdish units of the Democratic Union Party (PDD) in al-Qamishli, Hasaka province”, resulting in “dead and wounded in the ranks of Kurdish units”.

Al Hassaka Youth Union also reported dead Kurdish fighters, putting the number at seven, as did the source Al Khabour.

According to the Facebook page Olive Branch, there were “dead and wounded”, but the source didn’t specify whether these were civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kotana, Afrin (راس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.843889, 40.072222. 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
    3
  • 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

TS139

Incident date

January 29, 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 two named civilians were injured in the Rajo area.

Younews reported that Turkish helicopters had targeted Rajo, while according to maf news there were “intensive Turkish air raids”. However, neither source mentioned civilian casualties.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rwayda Aybsh
23 years old female injured
Kameran Khalo
28 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of alleged Turkish helicopters targeting Raju area northwest of Afrin, 29th January 2018. (via Younews)

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS170

Incident date

February 9, 2018

Location

كوتانة، عفرين, Kotana, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.463611, 38.481944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Claudia Al Minah reported that Turkey “attacked Kotana village in the Bilbilê area, Syria, last night, injuring seriously 3 inhabitants, damaging houses and the school.”

Photographic evidence shows the extensive material damage to the vicinity.

Electricity was also cut off in the village.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kotana, Afrin, 9th February 2018. (via Afrin Now)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kotana, Afrin (كوتانة، عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.463611, 38.481944. 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
    3
  • 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

TS202

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

ارندة, عفرين, Aranda, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that six civilians were injured following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas”.

According to Nuce 24, the Turkish military occupation army targeted the village of Aranda, in the area of Shih, with an artillery shell poisoned by chemical gas (it is not yet known what the gas was). A doctor noted that the injured were suffering from nausea, burning in the eyes, itching in the body and vomiting.

Multiple sources named six injured victims.

According to Nuce, the clothes of victims had been sent for analysis to determine what chemical agents were involved.

Afrin Now reported a statement from the management of Afrin Hospital. The second page is from the chemistry lab and reads: The central chemistry lab in Afreen carried out tests of earth samples presented by you on 16/2/2018 from the village of Arnada in Sheikh al Hadid area [the location of the raid]. The results were that the earth samples contain high levels of chlorine. Other samples from around the village were tested and did not contain any chlorine 18/2/2018.

Rojava and IC Afrinresistance citing the Efrîn Health Council and the Official Press Conference on the attack also confirmed the presence of chlorine.

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that the six injured experienced several symptoms suspected of as symptoms of chemical gas, such as respiratory issues – cough – eczema – skin irritation, narrowing pupil. The medics also suffered from skin itching and teary eyes.

It was later reported that analysis had shown traces of chlorine. According to Xeber 24: In a statement issued by the Health Council in Afrin province on 18 February 2018, the Afrin Hospital proved that the Turkish army used chlorine gas in the village of Aranda in the province of Shih. The Board indicated that they had based their report on samples that had been detected in the hospital’s laboratories.

Reuters later carried a denial by an unnamed Turkish military source: These are baseless accusations. Turkey never used chemical weapons. We take utmost care about civilians in Operation Olive Branch. According to Reuters, the source also described the accusations of wounding six civilians through a suspected gas attack as black propaganda.

In a report by Reuters, Turkey denied using chemical weapons. Reuters reported: Turkey never used chemical weapons in its operations in Syria, and takes the utmost care of civilians, a Turkish diplomatic source said, after Syrian Kurdish forces and a monitoring group accused it of carrying out a gas attack in Syria’s Afrin region.

These are baseless accusations. Turkey never used chemical weapons. We take utmost care about civilians in Operation Olive Branch, the source said.

The source also described the accusations of wounding six civilians through a suspected gas attack as black propaganda.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

29 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
33 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
35 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
32 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
35 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
43 years old male Via Afrin Now 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • A video reveals a victim being treated at the medical centre following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Nuce24 )
  • A video reveals a victim being treated at the medical centre following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Nuce24 )
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Rumaf)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Rumaf)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas”, Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Rumaf)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Nuce24)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Nuce24)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Afrin Now)
  • A picture shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Afrin Now)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas”Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • A video reveals a major press conference by Efrîns health council concerning the Chemical Attack on the Efrîn ( Source: @AzadiRojava)
  • A video reveals the interview on the TV channel as Joan Mohammed, Director of Afrin Hospital explained the attack by toxic chemicals (Source: Syria alikhbaroya news)
  • An image shows a number of victims who suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. ( Source: Kurdistan24)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. ( Source: Kurdistan24)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. ( Source: Kurdistan24)
  • Interview.
  • Video report from hospital showing the effects of chemical weapons. (via Mekut)
  • Statement from the management of Afrin Hospital to the world's public opinion and international organisations regarding the cases that were taken to a hospital from the village of Aranda and confirmed that the Turkish occupation used chemical gases.
  • From chemistry lab. The central chemistry lab in Afreen carried out tests of earth samples presented by you on 16/2/2018 from the village of Arnada in Sheikh al Hadid area [the location of the raid] The results were that the earth samples contain high levels of chlorine Other samples from around the village were tested and did not contain any chlorine 18/2/2018

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Aranda, Afrin (ارندة, 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
    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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS266

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

جرزيلة, village of Girzele, Shirwa district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.479979, 36.884711 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a similar reporting of TS265, a number of sources reported that a 45-year-old male wounded followed an alleged Turkish air or artillery strike on the village of Girzele.

Afrin Now and ANHA said the victim suffered a leg wound.

According to Sana, Turkish forces and their mercenaries shelled the area of Sharan and the villages of Basutah, Karzayleh and Zerba around it with planes, artillery and various missiles, causing the injury of four civilians and the destruction of a number of houses and property.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

45 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)
  • Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded victims being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on village of Zerba, Shirwra district, Afrin,, 12th March 2018 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of village of Girzele, Shirwa district, Afrin (جرزيلة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.479979, 36.884711. 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
    1–4
  • 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

TS302

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

راس العين, Serekaniye, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.849574, 40.071603 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and seven civilians were reported killed and five others injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike or artillery attack on Ras Al Ain, Hasakeh, Syria on October 10th 2019, according to local sources.

Kurdish Red Crescent and Violation Documentation Center in North Syria named the seven victims as Ammar Abdo Al-Taym, Ahmed Mohammed Altaym, Bashar Ahmed Sinjar, Ezzeldin Abdul Aziz Mohammed, Ibrahim Ali, Abdulaziz Jassim \ Ras al-Ain

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

18 years old male killed
24 years old male killed
19 years old male killed
21 years old male killed
18 years old male killed
Ali Mustafa Mustafa
Age unknown killed
Khalaf Aboud Khalid
Age unknown killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Serekaniye (راس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.849574, 40.071603. 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
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS306A

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Location

راس العين, Ras al Ain, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces artillery strike on Ras Al Ain in Hasaka on October 10th 2019, according to local media sources.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), Khalaf al Habloush and Khatib Sofi Hammi were killed in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Khalaf Aboud Alkhaled
55 years old Could be same person as Khalaf Abd al Khallouf al Habloushi 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khatib Sofi Hammi reported killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike on Ras Al Ain, October 10th 2019. (via SN4HR)

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
    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

Sources (4) [ collapse]