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

TI048

Incident date

August 19, 2020

Location

كانى ماز, Kani Masi, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.229298, 43.438993 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by a Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi.

Rudaw reported: “Khalid Abdulrahman, 60, was killed while trying to rescue his grazing livestock after several Turkish airstrike hit the village of Kani Mazin, according to Kani Masi Mayor Sarbast Akrey.

‘At 1:45pm a drone came and fired two rockets and then a jet came and fired three others. When the jet fired the sixth rocket it hit the vicinity of the village,’ Akrey told Rudaw English.

‘The teacher tried to rescue the livestock which were near a fire caused by the bombardment but he was killed,’ he added.

The outskirts of the village were set alight by the airstrikes, and villagers have failed to extinguish the blaze, according to the mayor.”

According to Shafaaq the victim was 50 years old.

NRT said: “Sub-district director Sarbast Akrayi told NRT Digital Media that the Turkish military attacked the area around 1:30 pm, conducting five bombing runs, which caused significant damage to the villagers’ orchards and groves.”

Several sources said that the victim was the headmaster of a local school.

The incident occured between 1:30 pm and 1:54 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Khalid Abdulrahman
60 years old male Teacher killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via Gokturk report)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via Wa'ed)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via ANF)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via ANF)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via ANF)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kani Masi (كاني ماسي) for which the generic coordinates are: 37.229298, 43.438993. 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
  • (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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI049

Incident date

August 25, 2020

Location

Bahrava, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.419798, 41.545744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in Sinjar, Iraq when Turkish drones allegedly struck two vehicles in the evening of August 25th, 2020. The exact location was identified by local sources as Bhrava, Khansur located in the northern Nineveh province.

Iraqi Security Media reported that Turkish drones targeted a double-wheeled pickup truck in the village of Bhrava in Khansur complex in north of Sinjar, and that two civilians were killed while the driver managed to flee.

Head of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) press office in Nineveh Ghayas Surchi said that the victims weren’t affiliated with Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS).

However, Khudeda Chuke, mayor of Sinune town, was reported by Rudaw as saying that ‘a vehicle belonging to the Shingal Protection Units (YBS), a Yezidi armed group affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was hit in the vicinity of Bahraviyan village, seven kilometres west of the town of Khanasor. Thankfully, there were no casualties in the bombing,” Chuke said, adding the airstrike struck the vehicle at a YBS base.

It was also reported that another site was struck by Turkish drones in the village of Bara, but there is no information yet about civilian casualties there.

The incident occured at approximately 7:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bahrava, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.419798, 41.545744. 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
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS447

Incident date

August 26, 2020

Location

شيخ حسن, Sheikh Hassan, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.316923, 39.060001 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian male was reportedly killed by Turkish forces as he was crossing the M4 highway near the village of Sheikh Hassan, Raqqa governorate, on August 26th, 2020, according to local sources.

Rojava Network wrote that “a civilian named Qasim Al Khalil (48) was martyred as a result of Turkish shelling on the Sheikh Hassan village, northern countryside of Ain Issa.”

According to Rohani, civilians in the district also held Russia responsible for the death of the man, who reportedly died when crossing the M4 Highway, writing that “innocents are being targeted on the M4 road, despite Russia’s bearing the guarantee of crossing.” The source added that the man’s family “could not reach his body until late hours at night, due to the targeting of snipers”.

It remains unclear whether the victim died by shelling, as reported by Rojava Network, or sniper fire, as suggested by Rohani.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Qasim Al Khalil قاسم الخليل
48 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The 48-year-old man Qasim Al Khalil was killed in alleged Turkish fire while crossing the M4 highway in Ain Issa governorate (via Ronahi).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a road, possibly the M4 segment in the vicinity of Sheik Hassan (شيخ حسن) village, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.316923, 39.060001. 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI050

Incident date

August 30, 2020

Location

زاب, Zab area, Duhok, Iraq

Geolocation

37.255337, 43.569031 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Zab area, on August 30th, 2020. While some sources reported that the victim, Hiam Noah Haji, was a political leader of the Kurdish Labour Party, other sources wrote she was the leader of a PKK militia.

Khabour reported that “Kurdistan Labour Party leader Hiam Noah Haji from the village of Pestasos in Maliki countryside was killed due to a Turkish airstrike in Zab area in northern Iraq.”

@VOSyria_ and @suriye_u_a_dr, however, reported that Haji was the leader of a PKK militia.

All sources blamed Turkey for the airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hiam Noah Haji هيام نوح حجي
Adult female leader with the Kurdistan Labour Party killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “An air strike by Turkish warplanes on the Zab region in northern Iraq kills Hiyam Noah Hajji, the leader of the PKK militia, from the village of Pestasos in the countryside of Hasaka” (via @VOSyria_).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Zab (زاب) region, in northern Iraq (العراق). Research shows the existence of a Great Zab River (نهر الزاب العظيم) that flows through Turkey, and the districts of Duhok (دهۆک) and Nineveh (نينوى). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the northernmost post of the river within the boundaries of Iraq are: 37.255337, 43.569031.

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
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS448

Incident date

September 12, 2020

Location

شيراوا - برج القاس, Burj al-Qass -Shirawa, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported injuries in Burj Al Qass in Shirawa, Aleppo on September 12th, 2020 when “Turkish forces shelled with heavy artillery from their military bases stationed in the northern Aleppo countryside positions in the villages of Aqiba, Soghanka and Burj al-Qass in the Shirawa area within areas held by Kurdish forces.”

No further information is available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS449

Incident date

September 20, 2020

Location

عون الدادات, Awn al-Dadat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.633713, 37.936392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians including a woman were reported injured in the village of ِAwn al-Dadat in northern Manbij, Aleppo on September 20th, 2020 as a result of alleged Turkey or Turkey backed militants shelling.

Local sources named the two civilians as Maryam Al-Kadro aged 50 and Ali Al-Daher. It was also reported that also a house was burned as a result of the attack.

However, @NotWoofers said the a woman was injured with a shrapnel and moved to Manbej hospital.

No further information is available at the moment.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Maryam AlKadro مريم الكدرو
50 years old female injured
Ali Al-Daher علي الضاهر
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Maryam Al-Kadro was reported injured in alleged Turkish forces artillery attack on Awn Al-Dadat in Aleppo on September 20th, 2020. (via @ciyager2020).
  • Maryam Al-Kadro was reported injured in alleged Turkish forces artillery attack on Awn Al-Dadat in Aleppo on September 20th, 2020. (via @ciyager2020).
  • Awn Al-Dadat was allegedly attacked by Turkish forces artillery on September 20th, 2020. (via @ciyager2020).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Awn Dadat (عون الدادات), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.633713, 37.936392. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS449

Incident date

October 9, 2020

Location

قرية بوراز، كوباني, Al-Boraz village, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two brothers, both children, were injured as a result of a Turkish or Turkey supported militants mortar shell on Boraz village in Kobani, Aleppo on October 9th, 2020 according to local sources.

The two children were identified by local sources as Muhammad Kamel aged 12, and his brother Mahmoud Kamel aged 14.

Ronahi reported that the two children were seriously injured and moved to hospital.

No further information is available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Kamel
12 years old male injured
Mahmoud Kamel
14 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Two children were injured as a result of a shell by Turkey or pro-Turkey militants in Boraz village in Kobani, on October 9th, 2020. (via ANHA)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS450

Incident date

October 13, 2020

Location

غرب منبج, West of Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the villages of Umm Jalloud, Tal Sayada, Umm Adasat Al Farat, and Al Dundaniyya in Aleppo governorate on October 13th, 2020, according to Hawar News.

Hawar reported that: “The villages located on the front line west of Manbij city, including “Umm Jalloud, Tal Sayada, Umm Lens, and Al-Dundaniyya” are being bombed by the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries with heavy weapons and artillery, while the Manbij Military Council responds to the sources of bombing within the framework of the legitimate right to defence.”

The source added: “Clashes are still continuing until the moment this news is prepared, amid reports that civilians have been injured in the targeted villages.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes in the surrounding areas west of Manbij (منبج) city. These are the villages of Umm Jalloud (أم جلود), Umm Adasat Al Farat (أم عدسة الفارات, mistranslated as Umm Lens), Sayada (صيادة), and Al Dundaniyya (الدنينية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these locations are: 36.587966, 37.767906.

  • Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes in the surrounding areas west of Manbij (منبج) city. These are the villages of Umm Jalloud (أم جلود), Umm Adasat Al Farat (أم عدسة الفارات, mistranslated as Umm Lens), Sayada (صيادة), and Al Dundaniyya (الدنينية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]