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

TS524 ISSY025

Incident date

July 4, 2022

Location

هوشان, Hoshan, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.484055, 38.686187 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians were reported killed and three others were injured, including two children, on July 4th 2022, when Turkish or Israeli shelling targeted the village of Al-Hoshan in the countryside of Ain Issa, Syria. The majority of the sources blamed Turkey for the attack but Sout Al Hayat reported that it was as a result of Israeli bombing.

According to local sources the civilian killed was Sheikh Mohammed, aged 25. The two injured children were reported to be Khaled Jabal Ahmed, aged 16, and Bouzan Ossi, aged 17. Hawar News also reported that Mohammed Buzan Sabri, aged 25, was injured as well. There is some conflicting information in different sources as Ahmad Al Aidan, a local source on Facebook reported that Buzan Ossi was killed, not injured like in previous reports. The SDF Press Center reported that the Turkish attack killed two civilians, Sheikh Mohammed and Bouzan Ossi, who died in hospital after being subjected to a severe head injury.  The third person reported injured was Cebel Ehmed, aged 16.

North Press Agency reported that the media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that the village of Hoshan in the western countryside of Ain Issa district, was hit with artillery shelling by the Turkish forces and the SNA. North Press Agency put the death toll at two civilians and mentioned that two others were injured.

Ain Issa Plus reported that a tunnel digger was killed and two others were injured.

The SDF Press Center reported that this attack happened at 4pm and blamed Turkey.

The incident occured at 16:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Sheikh Mohammed
25 years old male killed
Bouzan Ossi
17 years old male killed
Khaled Jabal Ahmed
16 years old male injured
Cebel Ehmed
16 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Israeli Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SDF Press Center reported that two civilians have been killed and two injured after Turkish shelling on July 4th 2022.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hoshan (هوشان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.484055, 38.686187. 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

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Israeli Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS553

Incident date

August 24, 2022

Location

تل رفعت, city centre of Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were killed and between five to nine others were injured when a Turkish drone was reported to target a market in the city centre of Tal Rifaat in the countryside of Aleppo, on August 24th 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the market was targeted in Tal Rifaat city, close to where the Syrian regime’s military security headquarters are located.

Most reports indicated that the initial death toll was two, which then rose to three.  Two days later, on August 26th 2022, it was reported by two sources, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and ANHA English that the fourth civilian died from wounds sustained in this drone striike.

News outlet, ANHA English, reported that one civilian who was allegedly killed in this attack was named Rashin Aliko and Anf also reported that another civilian killed was Fatime Osman Mamo, aged 22.  She was also referenced as “injured” by various news sources, indicating that she could have died as a result of her injuries. A local source also referred to another “martyr” as “Hamza.” In a post they published, “Hamza, where did you go, my soul… not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today is your wedding…this is your wedding that you are martyred.”

ANHA English identified among the injured:

Hussein Murad Garouki, aged 13
Manan Rashid Hussein, aged 57
Akid Fakhri Sheikho, aged 32
Samir Abdel Qader Rasho, aged 31
Zuhair Abdul Rahman Muhammad, aged 36. Muhammad was later confirmed dead by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and ANHA English.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rashin Aliko
Age unknown male killed
Fatime Osman Mamo
22 years old male killed
Hussein Murad Garouki
13 years old male injured
Manan Rashid Hussein
57 years old male injured
Akid Fakhri Sheikho
32 years old male injured
Samir Abdel Qader Rasho
31 years old male
Zuhair Abdul Rahman Muhammad
36 years old
Hamza
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–9
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Image of aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrike on Tal Rifaat on August 24th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • The aftermath of the alleged Turkish drone strike on Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022 (Image via Anf)
  • "Hamza, where did you go, my soul... not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today this is your wedding... this is your wedding that you are martyred." A message for "Hamza" allegedly killed in a reported Turkish strike on August 24th 202 (Image via دليل آخين / Facebook)
  • "Hamza, where did you go, my soul... not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today this is your wedding... this is your wedding that you are martyred." A message for "Hamza" allegedly killed in a reported Turkish strike on August 24th 202 (Image via دليل آخين / Facebook)
  • Bissan Fm reported from the site where an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat, killing two to three civilians.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city center of Tel Rifaat (تل رفعت), for which the generic coordinates are; 36.472576, 37.096272. 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 infrastructure
    Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–9
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI091

Incident date

April 15, 2023

Location

بنجوين, Kani Miran, Saliawah and Waryawh, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and two others were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the villages of Kani Miran, Saliawah and Waryawh in Sulaymaniyah on April 15, 2023.

The head of the local government in the province of Sulaymaniyah, Haval Abu Bakr, was quoted by a Facebook post from Adil Hamood as announcing that two people were killed and two others were wounded when a drone bombed villages in Penjwin district in the evening.

Hawar News quoted a source from Roj News Agency who attributed the drone strikes to Turkish forces and identified strikes on the villages of “Kani Miran, Saliawah and Waryawh,” specifically striking a car, and resulting in injuries and casualties.

An anonymous source told Rudaw News that the strikes were carried out by Turkey and they targeted fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). However, the source did not mention if those killed and injured were members of the PKK. Other local sources refer to those killed and injured as “people” and “citizens.”

Sputnik Today, a Russian state-run news source, reported that according to Turkish newspaper “Hurriyet,” the Turkish government had placed the city of Sulaymaniyah among the list of Turkish military targets.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS620

Incident date

August 3, 2023

Location

قرية عبوش, Aboush village, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the afternoon of Thursday August 3rd 2023, Aboush village in the countryside of Tal Tamr Hasaka, in Northeastern Syria was reportedly shelled with artillery by Turkish forces and their loyal factions, causing injuries of varying degrees to 5 civilians.

ANHA Hawar News Agency reported that the Turkish forces struck civilians of Aboush village with 5 shells, injuring the following 5 civilians: Hussein Ali Hamira, Abdel-Baqi Sayed Ali, Maher Hussein Hamira, Bassam Hamid Okla and Abdel-Karim Dahham. They were being treated at Martyr Ligrin Hospital in Tal Tamr district.

A citizen of Aboush village, Abdul Karim Daham, injured in the shelling, spoke to ANHA News Agency, stating that  “(…)the occupation targeted the village with several shells, and I did not know what happened, except that I was injured, and I left the village.”

This was corroborated by citizen Bassam al-Hamid who was also injured in the shelling, when he told ANHA News Agency: “The Turkish occupation targeted us with 5 artillery shells. I saw nothing but that one of the shells fell in front of me, which led to my injury with shrapnel in the chest, abdomen and hand.”

A third injured citizen of Aboush village Maher Hussein Hamira spoke with ANHA News Agency and reported that: “The situation was stable, except that the Turkish occupation targeted the village suddenly, as a result of which 5 people, including myself, were injured,(…) the targeting was direct to civilians and villagers.”

This version of events was reported by multiple sources: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the Turkish forces stationed in the ‘Peace Spring’ area in Northeastern Syria, shelled Aboush village. The North Press Agency and Gercek News both corroborated these facts and reported on the strategic importance of Aboush village, remarking that: “it is a junction on the M4 Highway linking Hasakah to Aleppo governorate in the northwest”. Further news outlets such as Kurdistan24 and a facebook post by Firat News reported these versions of events.

BasNews reported on the shelling of Aboush village, noting that the shelling was part of ongoing clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian armed factions, resulting in the injury of the five civilians. A source on the ground further highlighted to BasNews the displacement of the people from the villages caused by this shelling, who were seeking refuge in safer areas.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Ali Hamira
Age unknown injured
Abdel-Baqi Sayed Ali
Age unknown injured
Maher Hussein Hamira
Age unknown injured
Bassam Hamid Okla
Age unknown injured
Abdel-Karim Dahham
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Gercek New)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Aboush village on August 3, 2023. (Image posted by Gercek New)

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
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS669

Incident date

December 25, 2023

Location

كُوبَانِي, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Delbrin facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani my soul facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Kobani facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Kobani facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Hadath facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Hadath facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kobani Hadath facebook

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kobani (كُوبَانِي), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.891111, 38.353611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS007 CS371

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Location

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were reported killed and three injured in ‘Coalition’ strikes on Al Bab. However, other reports claimed that Turkey and its FSA allies may have been responsible.

Sky News reported that Turkish tanks were advancing on Al Bab, while France 24 described Turkish airstrikes on the city. Reporting casualties, Halab News said “an unidentified man and woman were killed, following coalition raids on al Bab and they are civilians from the town.”

All 4 Syria said that both the Coalition and Turkey conducted strikes on the city: “Extensive Turkish air strikes in Al Bab destroyed four buildings and a car used by IS while coalition carried out six airstrikes and killed ten IS fighters. However, Al Amaq reported the death of a civilian and three others wounded due to Turkish tank bombardment.”

ISIS’s media wing also reported civilian casualties, initially noting “one dead and three civilians injured – one of them in a critical condition – following Turkish artillery bombardment of the city of Al Bab in the Aleppo countryside.” It also reported US airstrikes alongside Turkish artillery attacks.

In August 2017 the US-led alliance denied responsibility for the event, stating: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (مدينة الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Bab, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 12th-13th, the Coalition reported no strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS033

Incident date

December 28, 2016

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Al Bab Al Hadath reported that Qadro Al-Jadeed and his family were killed in a Turkish airstrike “a few days ago” on December 31st.

There is currently no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Qadro Al-Jadeed
Adult male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • 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 city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. 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
    2 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI009

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Location

شمال العراق, North of Iraq, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the province/governorate of North of Iraq (شمال العراق), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.915000, 44.041944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]