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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Turkish Military
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Incident Code

TS120

Incident date

January 24, 2018

Location

مالكية, Malikya village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.542778, 36.991944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Smart News reported that according to a military source, four civilians were injured after “Turkish shelling on the village of Malikya in Aleppo which is under the control of the Kurdish units.”

Artafm News later added that “On Thursday, four artillery shells from the Turkish side landed on the outskirts of the village of Kharab Rashk in the eastern ِAl Malikiye suburb of Derek. Local sources from the village told Arta FM that Turkish tanks targeted sand trucks as they tried to get down to sand quarries in the village near the Tigris River. The sources added that the Turkish shelling did not result in casualties.”

No additional information is presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Malikya village, Afrin (مالكية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.542778, 36.991944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS152

Incident date

February 3, 2018

Location

شيقيلا, Sheqela (Çeqela Jêrîn), Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5571057, 36.6133371 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Cahida Dersim reported that the “Turkish army is bombing the village Çeqela of Shiye district: at least two civilians have been wounded”.

The Kurdish Red Crescent later named an injured child as “Ahmed Mohemmed Kheljeko 7 years old got injury in his head in 322018 in Chakhalaw village. In the same incident, his mother Zerifa Beyder Gezo got injured. Heva Mohemmed Ahmed 16 years old got injury in her wrist in 32208 in Chakhalaw village, her parents got injured in the same incident (Fatmah Jamil Mustafah and Mohemmed Ahmed).”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Mohemmed Kheljeko
7 years old male Son, head injury injured
Zerifa Beyder Gezo
Adult female Mother, foot injury injured

Family members (3)

Heva Mohemmed Ahmed
16 years old female Daughter, wrist injury injured
Fatmah Jamil Mustafah
Adult female Mother, face, foot and hand injured
Mohemmed Ahmed
Adult male Father injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sheqela (Çeqela Jêrîn), Aleppo (شيقيلا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.5571057, 36.6133371. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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

TS183

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Location

حسية موباتا, Hassiya, Mobata district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.537500, 36.713889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a two-year-old boy was injured when an alleged Turkish artillery shell fell on his house in the village of Husay (Mirkan), in the area of Mubata, Syria.

According to Nuce24, “a number of artillery shells landed on the village of Husay (Mirkan) in the area of Mubata, which resulted in the injury of a two-year-old infant, Mustafa Adnan.”

The source added that the child was transferred to the hospital and to the operating room. Afrin Now published a graphic image of the wounded child.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Adnan
2 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Adnan, wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Hassiya, Mobata district, Afrin, 11th February 2018. (via Alitihad press)
  • Civilian wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Hassiya, Mobata district, Afrin, 11th February 2018. (via Rumaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Adnan, wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Hassiya, Mobata district, Afrin, 11th February 2018. (via IC Afrinresistance)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Adnan, wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Hassiya, Mobata district, Afrin, 11th February 2018. (via IC Afrinresistance)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hassiya, Mobata district, Afrin (حسية موباتا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.537500, 36.713889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS316

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Location

عين ديوار, Ayn Diwar, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.287199, 42.192781 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Ayn Diwar village, east of Derik, local sources said.

@dersi4m tweeted: “The Turkish army is shelling the village Ayn Diwar, 12 km eastern of Derik. Two civilians have been wounded.”

ANF reported: “The village of Ayn Diwar, 12 km east of Derik city in northern Syria, is under constant attack by the Turkish army and allied mercenaries for two days, since the launch of Turkey’s military operation to invade North and East Syria on Wednesday [Oct 9th].

“The village has been targeted several times by Turkish aerial bombardments, howitzer and mortar attacks.

“Fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are evacuating the civilians from the village to make sure that they don’t suffer any harm. The young people in the village are refusing to leave and joining the resistance alongside the SDF.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish shelling of Ayn Diwar village, east of Derik, Hasakah Governorate, Syria, Oct 11th (via ANF English)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish shelling of Ayn Diwar village, east of Derik, Hasakah Governorate, Syria, Oct 11th (via ANF English)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish shelling of Ayn Diwar village, east of Derik, Hasakah Governorate, Syria, Oct 11th (via ANF English)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish shelling of Ayn Diwar village, east of Derik, Hasakah Governorate, Syria, Oct 11th (via ANF English)
  • Footage of the aftermath of an alleged Turkish shelling of Ayn Diwar village, east of Derik, Hasakah Governorate, Syria, Oct 11th.
  • Aftermath of Turkish shelling on Ain Diwar

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention several locations being struck in the village of Ayn Diwar (عين ديوار). Investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down one of these locations to a small compound on the northern edge of the village, for which the exact coordinates are: 37.287199, 42.192781.

  • Reports of the incident mention several locations being struck in the village of Ayn Diwar (عين ديوار). Investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down one of these locations to a small compound on the northern edge of the village.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged panoramic stitch of audio-visual material.

    Imagery:
    Vedeng

  • Tagged panoramic stitch of audio-visual material.

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Tagged satellite image.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS348

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

رفح, Rafha, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.671052, 39.143708 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

“Many” civilians died and “more than 50” were wounded in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Rafha village, local media said.

According to @ HiwaDilan_71, “Groups of gangs affiliated with the occupying Turkish state bombed a village inhabited by Arab citizens in Girê Spî. Many civilians have died, including more than 50 people hospitalized, including women, children and the elderly.”

@nazimodas posted footage of “a father whose son died in the bombing.”

Politika noted howitzer fire.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 10
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A father whose son died in the bombing."
  • Wounded civilians in Rafha village, Tal Abyad, Oct 16th (via Politika)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rafha (رفح), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.671052, 39.143708. 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
    5 – 10
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS369

Incident date

October 26, 2019

Location

الأسدية, Al Assadiya, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.933136, 40.342870 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Assadiya village, Ras Al Ain in Hassakah Governorate on October 26th, 2019 according to local sources.

The two civilians were identified as Mary Khelef Mihemed (55) and Mihemed Mustafa Tahir (age unknown).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mary Khelef Mihemed
55 years old female injured
Mihemed Mustafa Tahir
Age unknown 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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Assadiya (الأسدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.933136, 40.342870. 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS387

Incident date

November 9, 2019

Location

الديويرا‎ و تل حليف, Tal Halef and Al Diwera, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.823259, 40.040680 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Many civilians were reported killed and injured when Turkish forces allegedly opened fire on protesters in Tal Halef and Diwera villages in the vicinity of Ras Al Ayn – Syria on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources.

SANA reported that “10 civilians were suffocated due to the release of tear gas by the Turkish patrols, accompanied by Russian patrols, on the people who went out in protest against their passage in Al Jawadiya area in Hasaka countryside, while they kidnapped three young men from the village of Tal Jemma in the countryside of Ras Al Ain, while a civilian was killed as a result of torture”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civilians protesting against Turkey were reported attacked in Ras Al Ayn villages on November 9th, 2019 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Tal Halef (تل حليف), for which coordinates are: 36.823259, 40.040680, and Al Diwera (الديويرا‎) at: 36.798889, 40.039722. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the villages of Tal Halef (تل حليف) and Al Diwera (الديويرا‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS405

Incident date

January 9, 2020

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.391236, 38.858016 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were reported wounded when Turkish drones allegedly targeted an SDF Asayish (Kurdish Public Security Forces) checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa town, in Raqqa governorate of Syria, on January 9th, 2020. Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook Page said one of the civilians endured minor injuries.

@SDF_Syria and @Karl_hakon said that Turkey is continuing to target residential areas putting civilians lives at risk.

While most sources reported that one or two YPG members were injured in the attack, Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook Page said that two YPG/SDF members were killed in the attack. They posted: “The Murder of two #SDF fighters and a civilian got minor injuries as a result of the bombing with a Turkish drone of a checkpoint of #SDF at the entrance to the town of Ain Issa this afternoon.”

 

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Turkish drone strike on Asayish checkpoint in Ain Issa, Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via ANHA)
  • Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish drone attack on Ain Issa in Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via @HeyvasorUK).
  • Two civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish drone attack on Ain Issa in Syria on January 9th, 2020 (via @HeyvasorUK).

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) town, for which the exact coordinates are: 36.391236, 38.858016

  • Reports of the incident mention a strike on a checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) town

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Landmarks visible to the site of the strike

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Satellite imagery of the site with tagged landmarks

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Location of the water tower seen in the tagged frame

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    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 (18) [ collapse]