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

TS297

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Location

al-Basheriyah, Qamishli, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.054722, 41.236111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians including a woman were reported killed and many more wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of a Christian neighbourhood in al-Basheriyah, Qamishli, sources said. Reports claimed that the shells landed on civilian homes and fires broke out. Multiple reports published graphic images of casualties.

@NPA_SY said that a Kurdish civilian died and two Christian civilians were wounded. A 25-year-old Syrian woman, Juliet Nikola, was named as killed.

However, @Elizrael put the death toll at three with nine more injured. Other sources reported “many” or “tens” of civilian casualties – and published associated images.

@cmoc_sdf tweeted that “[ 37-year-old] Fadi Habsono’s house in the Besheriye neighbourhood in Qamishli was destroyed, and he was injured and taken to hospital. One of his neighbours was killed.”

@mustefabali noted: “Christians of northern Syria are facing risk of mass displacement. Most of them will prefer displacement than living under jihadist groups of Turkey. Some of them were wounded in shelling by Turkish army in Qamishli.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Juliet Nikola
25 years old female killed
Fadi Habsono
37 years old male Initially report as injured killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–20
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrike on the al-Basheriyah, Oct 9th.
  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrike on the al-Basheriyah, Oct 9th.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of wounded civilians following the allaged Turkish strikes on the al-Basheriyah, Oct 9th.
  • Another picture from the incident

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An alleged victim undergoing surgery

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–20
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS332

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it had “documented from Tal Tamr Hospital the civilian injuries including children as a result of the Turkish ground and aerial bombardment on Ras Al-Ayn area”.

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent list of civilians injured and killed between 9 and 13 October 2019, one of the the injured civilians is Jamal Sheikh Ali Tarboush, male, 26 years old.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jamal Sheikh Ali Tarboush
26 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ras Al Ain (رأس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.848579, 40.073576. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS352

Incident date

October 17, 2019

Location

بير حبيش, Bir Hebesh, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.655970, 38.69500 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians – two men and a woman – were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Bir Hebesh village, according to local media.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mihemed Îbarhîm
18 years old male injured
Nermîn Mihemed Hesen
23 years old female injured
Alan
19 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: "Turkish warplanes bombed Bir Hebesh village: 2 civilians injured in attack".

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bir Hebesh (بير حبيش), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.655970, 38.69500. 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 and/or 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS343a

Incident date

October 15, 2019

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.387430, 38.863020 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Ain Issa in Raqqa governorate in Syria on October 15th, 2019 according to the Kurdish Red Crescent.

No further details available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ain Issa (عين عيسى), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.387430, 38.863020. 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
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS378b

Incident date

November 1, 2019

Location

السباتية, Al Sibatya, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.738194, 40.174097 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, three civilians were killed and one other injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Tal Tamr in Hasaka governorate in Syria on November 1st, 2019.

The civilians killed were all males and identified as Abdulazeez Salih al Hesh, Mahmoud Ahmad Muhammad and Muhammad Ali Khuwam. Ali Ezizi, was also injured in the attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a civilian was killed and others were injured”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulazeez Salih al Hesh
Age unknown male KRC killed
Ali Ezizi
42 years old male KRC injured
Mahmoud Ahmad Muhammad
62 years old male KRC killed
Muhammad Ali Khuwam
56 years old male KRC injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sibatya (السباتية), allegedly located along the road connecting Tal Tamr (تل تمر) to Ras Al Ayn (رأس العين) in the north. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the road are: 36.738194, 40.174097.

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Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS411

Incident date

February 23, 2020

Location

الفاطسة, Al Fatsa, Raqqa , Syria

Geolocation

36.400556, 38.968056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

ANF reported that on February 23rd, 2020, “Turkish forces attacked the village of Al Fatsa in Ain Issa region at around 17:30 local time on Saturday. The attack left three children and a woman injured, and were then taken to Raqqa Hospital for treatment.”

Also @Kurdistan4K reported that Turkish shelling renewed on Ain Issa countryside, causing injuries among civilians.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Woman injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Fatsa village in Ain Issa on February 23rd, 2020 (via ANF)
  • Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria. (via @Kurdistan4K)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Fatsa (الفاطسة) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.400556, 38.968056. 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
    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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI039

Incident date

June 19, 2020

Location

Kokar, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.113611, 43.825556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were allegedly killed and two injured by a Turkish airstike on Nerwa Rekan.

Mehr Baluch tweeted: “3 civilian got killed in Nerwa & Rekan area by Turkish jets bombardment, all three residents of Shiladize, they been targeted in Kokar near Avamark Resort.”

Hana Çômanî said: “Turkish war planes bombs Shiladze town in Dohuk province Iraqi Kurdistan, killed 3 civilians injured 2 2 hours ago.”

The incident occured at approximately 2:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Picture from the funeral in Shiladze after the alleged killing of three civilians by a Turkish airstrike on Kokar on June 19th, 2020 (via Barzan Sadiq)
  • Picture from the funeral in Shiladze after the alleged killing of three civilians by a Turkish airstrike on Kokar on June 19th, 2020 (via Barzan Sadiq)
  • Picture from the funeral in Shiladze after the alleged killing of three civilians by a Turkish airstrike on Kokar on June 19th, 2020 (via Barzan Sadiq)
  • Picture from the funeral in Shiladze after the alleged killing of three civilians by a Turkish airstrike on Kokar on June 19th, 2020 (via Barzan Sadiq)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kokar, for which the generic coordinates are: 37.113611, 43.825556. 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
    3
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI051

Incident date

November 8, 2020

Location

خلف أو قاسم ملكو, Khalaf or Qassim Malako, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.48777, 41.55608 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on an alleged PKK vehicle near the town of Khalaf or Qassim Malako, Sinjar district, Nineveh governorate, on November 8th, 2020. Up to five militants were reportedly also killed and at least three others were wounded.

Hawar News reported that “The “Nasr Mobin” forces in Shengal said that the airstrike that targeted Shengal last night resulted in the loss of a civilian who was working in maintaining water wells, in addition to wounding a fighter”, blaming Turkey for the strike.

In another report, Hawar wrote that “the Turkish occupation drones launched a raid this evening at 18:30 in the village of Khalaf in the town of Bari in the district of Shengal, targeting a vehicle belonging to the Nasr Mobin forces and confirmed that it resulted in injuries among those in the car.” Roj News reported that the strike took place at 16:30 PM, while RT quoted sources who said the strike occurred at 20:30 PM.

“A vehicle of the PKK fighters was targeted by a Turkish warplane in Bara area of Sinjar this evening, Peshmerga Commander Qasim Shasho told BasNews that “a number of PKK fighters were either killed or wounded in the airstrike”. At least three of the wounded were taken to a hospital. Shasho reportedly told Shafaq News that he believed a PKK leader was among those killed.

Shafaq reported that “members of the Labor Party had evacuated the bodies that had been charred as a result of the bombing.” RT reported two killed PKK members.

According to Mangish, “a Turkish plane targeted a car carrying a group of the Sinjar Protection Units in the north, which led to the death of five people in it”, adding that one person was transferred to a nearby hospital before dying of his injuries.

Besides Hawar News, other sources did not report civilian harm. Hence, the civilian harm status for this incident is graded as “weak”.

The incident occured between 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • People looking at the vehicle that was targeted by alleged Turkish drones near Sinjar on November 8th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Location of alleged Turkish drone strike in Sinjar on November 8th, 2020 (via @serkankilic9931).
  • Footage of alleged Turkish drone strikes on Sinjar on November 8th, 2020 (via @BarzanSadiq).
  • Location of alleged Turkish drone strike in Sinjar on November 8th, 2020 (via @Warrior4War).
  • The targeted vehicle after alleged Turkish drone strike in Sinjar on November 8th, 2020 (via @EzidenWeltweit).
  • People looking at the vehicle that was targeted by alleged Turkish drones near Sinjar on November 8th, 2020 (via @Ezidi2).
  • Translation: “Turkish warplanes bomb the village of Bare #Şengalê bombed” (via @sterknucenews).

Geolocation notes

Report of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in either Khalaf (خلف) or Qassim Malako village (قاسم ملكو), in vicinity of the towns of Bari (بارة), Khana Sor (خانة سور), and Sinuni (سنوني). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. However, a potential area called Khalaf Qasim (خلف قاسم) can be found north of these towns, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.48777, 41.55608.

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
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (20) [ collapse]