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

TI045

Incident date

August 3, 2020

Location

Nohadra, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

36.856117, 42.980832 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that civilians died in alleged Turkish airstrikes on civilian vehicles in Nohadra, Duhok governorate, on August 3rd, 2020.

Syria C Press wrote that “more civilians were killed on Monday in Nohadra (Duhok) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a result of the ongoing Turkish military operation in northern Iraq after their car was targeted by a Turkish air strike.”

Currently, further information is unavailable.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Nohadra, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.856117, 42.980832. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS466

Incident date

March 14, 2021

Location

الزنفل, Al Zanfil, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.613878, 37.823240 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported killed and others injured, also including children, in alleged Turkish or pro-Turkey militants shelling on Zankil village, east of Manbej, Aleppo on March 14th.

The child victim was identified as Yamen Ali Ayntabi. It was reported that the shelling took place in the morning.

North Press Agency said that the Turkish shelling targeted the village’s school. “Turkish shelling targeted the village’s school, killing an eight-year-old child and injuring another, who was transferred to a hospital in the city.”

ANHA said that four mortars landed in the village and that “as a result, the child Furqan Ibrahim Ayntabi and the child Yasser Ibrahim Ayntabi were severely injured, while the child Yamen Ali Ayntabi was killed instantly.”

The incident occured at 09:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Yamen Ali Ayntabi يامن علي عينتابي
8 years old male killed
Furqan Ibrahim Ayntabi فرقان إبراهيم عينتابي
Child female injured
Yasser Ibrahim Ayntabi ياسر إبراهيم عينتابي
Child male injured

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Two children were reported injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Zankil village in Manbej on March 14th. (image via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a school being struck in the village of Al Zanfil (الزنفل). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Zanfil are: 36.613878, 37.823240.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS475

Incident date

October 2, 2021

Location

قرية معلك, Malak village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.386051, 38.860960 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one child was injured in alleged Turkish shelling on the village of Malak on October 2, 2021.

According to Alyaum TV, a civilian who was tending to his sheep was injured in Turkish shelling of the village of Malak.

Xeber 24 reported that the civilian injured was a 16 year old boy named Adel Muslim and he was transferred to Ain Issa district hospital to be treated for his wounds. At the time of the strikes, Adel was grazing his sheep near the Ain Issa camp when a shell landed near him and hit him.

All of the sources that reported on the strike attributed the shells to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adel Muslim
16 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Adel Muslim, 16 years old, who was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Malak on October 2, 2021. (Image posted by ANF News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Malak (معلك), allegedly located 1km west of Ain Issa (عين عيسى). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ain Issa are: 36.386051, 38.860960.

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
  • 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

TS501

Incident date

April 18, 2022

Location

خضراوي, Khadrawi village, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.918755, 40.346459 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One young girl was injured in alleged Turkish artillery shelling of the village of Khadrawi on April 18, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a little girl was injured by Turkish artillery shelling of her family’s house in Khadrawi village. SOHR added that “Turkish intensive shelling on the countryside of Tel Tamr and Abu Rasin has continued since the early morning hours of Monday, causing material damage to civilian houses” and causing a “massive exodus of civilians from the area”.

Hawar News also reported that Turkish forces bombed Khadrawi village. However, they did not mention any civilian casualties. Qamishli Media Center also identified a “minor girl” as having been injured in the artillery shelling from Turkish forces.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkey.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khadrawi (خضراوي), the generic coordinates for which are: 36.918755, 40.346459. 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
  • 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

TS525

Incident date

July 5, 2022

Location

ابين, Abin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.465074, 36.995558 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two young women were injured in alleged Turkish shelling Abin village in Afrin district on July 5, 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Turkish forces bombarded Sherawa district with more than 10 artillery shells, causing the injury of a woman, in addition to physical damage.

North Press Agency provided the names of the two girls injured: 19-year-old Nisrin Hassan and her 20 year old sister Yasmin. @RojavaIC added that Nisrin suffered a severe back injury and her condition is critical. Afrin Post stated that both girls were injured due to being hit by shrapnel and that they were taken to hospitals in the city of Tal Rifaat for treatment.

According to Hawar News, two children were wounded, one of them in critical condition, when Turkish forces bombed Binah village in Sherawa district. It seems likely that sources referring to children are talking about the two young women who were injured due to their young age.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish forces and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the artillery came from Turkish forces stationed at Jabal base. Afrin Post identified artillery shells and mortar shells as being used in the attack.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nisrin Hassan
19 years old female injured
Yasmin Hassan
20 years old female injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Nisreen (19) & Yasmin (20) Nidal Hassan were both injured, and Nisreen suffered a severe back injury; her condition is critical. (Image posted by @RojavaIC)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Binah village on July 5, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Binah village on July 5, 2022. (Image posted by Afrin Post)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Binah village on July 5, 2022. (Image posted by Afrin Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abin (ابين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.465074, 36.995558. 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
  • 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

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

TS580

Incident date

December 17, 2022

Location

رقاص, Raqas, Al-Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.693096, 38.950612 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 17th 2022, at least three civilians, including a child, were reportedly killed and between one to three were injured by a Turkish drone strike on a group of civilians in Raqas village, in Tel Abyad district, Al-Raqqa province. The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces said the incident occurred at 1:30 p.m.

Sources identified the child killed as Wesi Muhammad Wesi, 10-12 years old. SOHR claimed that the strike targeted a car driving by a SDF military position. Only SOHR mentionned “information about the death of an unidentified fourth person”, without further precisions. ANHA added that in total, three were killed and one injured. Sources recorded between one to three injured. The injured were taken to hospitals in Al-Raqqa city for treatment.

The incident occured at approximately 1:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Wesi Muhammad Wesi ويسي محمد ويسي
10-12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The child identified as Wesi Muhammad Wesi reportedly killed by a Turkish strike on December 17th 2022 in Raqas village. Photo: ANHA عربية
  • Image following a reported Turkish drone strike on December 17th 2022 in Raqas village. Photo: NPA

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Raqas (رقاص), allegedly located north-west of Tell Abyad (تل ابيض). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tell Abyad are: 36.693096, 38.950612.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS610

Incident date

July 9, 2023

Location

جورين, Jurin, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.616010, 36.269336 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 9th July 2023, up to three civilians were reportedly injured and a member of the regime forces were killed by an artillery strike allegedly carried out by the factions of the ‘Al-Fateh Al-Mubin’ operations room, a Turkish-based militia, in the town of Jurin, located in Sahl Al-Ghab in the western countryside of Hama.

The Syrian Arab Army reported on the death of one of its soldiers and identified that three individuals were injured, but only documented one civilian among the injured. Simultaneously, a report from Sahl Al-Ghab News aligns with this narrative, but suggests that one civilian was injured and three others were injured, seeming to refer to the others as militants. Whilst, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights documented the death of a regime soldier and the injury of three civilians.

According to the Syrian Arab Army, the regime responded to the incident by using missiles in the city of Jisr al-Shughur.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • #Hama: A soldier was killed and 3 others, including a civilian, were injured, as a result of rocket shells fired by terrorists at the direction of the town of #Jourin in the Al-Ghab Plain in the western countryside of Hama, and they were transferred to the Suqaylabiyah National Hospital. In response to the bombing, the Syrian Arab Army is targeting terrorist groups with missiles in the range

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jurin (جورين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.616010, 36.269336. 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
    1–3
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (6) [ collapse]