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

TS212

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

بلدة الباسوطة, Bashute villages, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.434167, 36.873889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to many sources, one child was killed and 11 other civilians mainly children were wounded in the alleged Turkish shelling of Bashute villages, Syria.

Their names identified the civilian casualties, this including a the 13-year-old girl and additionally, 11 civilians as wounded.

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that another 24-years-old civilian sustained bruising to his body. He was trying to escape the Turkish attacks on the village when he had a car accident.

In a video for Rojava, an eyewitness gave testimony in Kurdish with English subtitles: ”

There were eight children here, and Xelil the owner of the house. They all got injured and my neighbour’s daughter was martyred. What can one say?”

Another neighbour: “We heard rockets then we came here. The children had been sitting here; they were actually playing. Some of them were reading behind the house. Their books are still there on the ground. They were reading here they were reading.”

Another man: “We were running here, and as you can see here it’s completely broken but not only here: they fired 3 or 4, my sister’s house and our house and some over there, close to the castle. They say the YPG is here, but there is no YPG, it’s all civilians. Some people came here escaping from the border areas to find a safe place.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

13 years old female Via Nuce24 killed
42 years old male Via Nuce24 injured
14 years old Via Nuce24 injured
11 years old Via Nuce24 injured
7 years old Via Nuce24 injured
11 years old Via Nuce24 injured
12 years old Via Nuce24 injured
9 years old Via Nuce24 injured
9 years old Via Nuce24 injured
27 years old Via Nuce24 injured
Age unknown Via Nuce24 injured
Age unknown Via Nuce24 injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (27) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured child at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Rumaf)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured civilian at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Rumaf)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured man at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: IC Afrinresistance)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured man at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: IC Afrinresistance)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured child at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: IC Afrinresistance)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the 13-year old victim ( Heva Klaho), killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Athrpress)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured man at the hospital after being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Nuce 24)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture shows the 13-year old victim ( Heva Klaho), killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Nuce 24)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows the aftermath of the shelling allegedly by Turkish which led to the killing one child and wounded 11 other civilians mainly children on Bashute villages, Syria (source: Afrin now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child civilian at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Revofront)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child civilian at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Revofront)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child civilian at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Revofront)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child civilian at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Revofront)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child civilian at the hospital being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (Source: Revofront)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the victim Jenav Ziad Kilaho. 11 years old, at the hospital after being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (source:Kurdish red crescent pdf emailed to Abdul)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the victim (Shivan Khalil Kilaho) a 6-year-old got many fragments in all his body following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (source: Kurdish red crescent pdf emailed to Abdul)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows Henan Mohemmed Kilaho the 11-year-old got injuries in his back and foot following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (source: Kurdish red crescent pdf emailed to Abdul)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the victim (Ava Khalil Kilaho) the 11-year-old got an injury in her forearm following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (source: Kurdish red crescent pdf emailed to Abdul)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the victim Dilber Khalil Kilaho 14 years old got bruising in all her body following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (source: Kurdish red crescent pdf emailed to Abdul)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the victim (Dijwar Nezmay Kilaho) 8 years old got an injury in his right knee following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (source: Kurdish red crescent pdf emailed to Abdul)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the victim (Khalil Nebih Kilaho) 42 years old got injuries in his lower parts and his left forearm following an alleged Turkish shelling on Bashute villages, Syria (source: Kurdish red crescent pdf emailed to Abdul)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Unrecognisable body of a child who was killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Bashute villages, Afrin, 19th March 2018. (via Revofront)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Unrecognisable body of a child who was killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Bashute villages, Afrin, 19th March 2018. (via Revofront)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Unrecognisable body of a child who was killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Bashute villages, Afrin, 19th March 2018. (via Revofront)
  • Basel Jumah Omar 24 years old got bruising in his body. He was trying to escape the Turkish attacks on the village when he had a car accident. (source: Kurdish red crescent pdf emailed to Abdul)
  • Injured civilian being treated in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on Bashute villages, Afrin. (via Ahmad Hasan)
  • Injured civilian being treated in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on Bashute villages, Afrin. (via Ahmad Hasan)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bashute villages, Afrin (بلدة الباسوطة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.434167, 36.873889. 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS210

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

جنديرس, عفرين, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.391667, 36.693056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a private report to Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent reported the death of two civilian adult males in an alleged Turkish shelling of Jindires, Syria.

The victims were identified by names.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Mustafa Majeed
30 years old male killed
Mohammed Umar Kara Mustafa
20 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 town of Jindires, Afrin (جنديرس, عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.391667, 36.693056. 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
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS208

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

سرنجاك و كوبلاكا, Sarinjak and Kuplaka, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.723889, 36.911944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to several local sources, one woman and one man died in an alleged Turkish shelling of Sarinjak and Kuplaka, Syria.

According to Rumaf, since the morning hours, the villages of Sarinjak and Kublka have been subjected to heavy shelling. The primary result is the fall of a woman and a man and the wounding of others. The shelling continues.

Afrin Today reported no deaths though said that a female 51-year-old, was wounded by an artillery shell that hit her house in the village of Koblaka in the Shiran area.

Other sources also reported the death of a woman and a man.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the same victim (Fikret Elî Hesen), 51 years old wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Sarinjak and Kuplaka (Source: IC Afrin Resistance)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of Fikret Ali Hassan who was wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Sarinjak and Kuplaka (Source: Afrin Today)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture that shows the same victim (Fikret Elî Hesen) being treated at the midical care after she wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Sarinjak and Kuplaka (Source: IC Afrin Resistance)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sarinjak and Kuplaka (سرنجاك و كوبلاكا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.723889, 36.911944. 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
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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

TS209

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

قرية قوتا, ريف عفرين , Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.7737831, 36.8417072 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple local sources: two civilians were wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages.

Claudia, a Kurdish activist reported on Twitter, one civilian was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Quta villages. Furthermore, Afrin Now and Hawar news named an additional civilian who got fragments and breaking in his thigh, which is later named by the Kurdish Red Crescent also named the victim and reported that he was 17-years-old.

The source PYD Rojava also reported the injury of a civilian. According to Hawar news, dozens of shells fell on the villages.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

17 years old shrapnel fragments in his thigh 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Footage shows the destruction of the buildings after being shelled by allegedly Turkish on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source pyd rojava)
  • A picture shows some destruction in the buildings following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: @ClaudiaAlMinah)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured civilian, being treated following alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows destruction in the building following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows destruction in the building following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows a destroyed motorbike, being targeted following alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (قرية قوتا, ريف عفرين ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.7737831, 36.8417072. 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS211

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

راجو, عفرين, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67296, 36.666364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a private report to Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent reported the injury of one civilian in an alleged Turkish shelling of Rajo.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salah Hussein
45 years old male head injury injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 village of Rajo, Afrin (راجو, عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.67296, 36.666364. 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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS207

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

مريمين, Mariamin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.531667, 36.950833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three or four civilians were injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin, Syria, local media reported.

According to Rumaf Turkish forces targeted five areas in Mariamin, including Um Al-Qura mosque, injuring four civilians, who are in a serious condition.

Nuce24 reported that the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries targeted the mosque of the village of Mermin belonging to Shara. The shelling resulted in the injury of 3 civilians, in addition to causing physical damage to the property of the residents.

Other sources also reported that the mosque was struck, resulting in three people being wounded. Reports said that civilian property was also damaged.

In a private report to Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent named 33-year-old Sami Naf’e Hassan as having suffered facial injuries and bruises.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sami Naf’e Hassan, Mreemeen,
33 years old male bruises to face injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Translation: These pictures from the village of Mariamin belonging to the area of Sharan in the region of Afrin were bombed by mercenaries on the side of Azaz (Source: @lukmanqadre)
  • A picture shows destruction in the olive oil squeezer building following an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin (Source: SANA)
  • A picture shows destruction in the olive oil squeezer building following an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin (Source: SANA)
  • A picture shows damages of the olive oil squeezer machines following an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin (Source: SANA)
  • A picture shows damages of Um Al-Qura mosque and a car following an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin (Source: Rumaf)
  • A picture shows damages of Um Al-Qura mosque following an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin (Source: Rumaf)
  • A picture shows damages of Um Al-Qura mosque and car following an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin (Source: Rumaf)
  • A picture shows damages of both outside the Um Al-Qura mosque and some cars following an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin (Source: @lukmanqadre)
  • ‏A picture shows damages of a civilian house following an alleged Turkish shelling on Mariamin (Source: Kawthar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mariamin, Aleppo (مريمين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.531667, 36.950833. 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
    3–4
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS205

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

شيه,عفرين , Sheya, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.496944, 36.598333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to two local reports, two civilians were killed and one injured following an alleged Turkish shelling on Sheya, Afrin.

Additionally, The Kurdish Red Crescent named the two civilians women.

Rumaf reported that 48, was wounded in the knee in an alleged Turkish shelling on Sheya, Afrin.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Hassa
26 years old female Private report via KRC killed
Malak Aloush
25 years old female Private report via KRC killed
48 years old male via Rumaf injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 town of Sheya, Afrin (شيه,عفرين ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.496944, 36.598333. 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
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

TS206

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

بلانقور,عفرين , Blakqoor, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.391667, 36.693056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported the death of two civilians in an alleged Turkish bombing of Blakqoor. The Kurdish Red Crescent then named a third victim.

According to Dilsoz dildar, he was killed by shrapnel in the abdomen.

ROK added that two civilians, including a child, were wounded by artillery and rocket attacks in a violent and indiscriminate manner on civilian houses.

According to Alitihad, the bombing also resulted in the destruction of a complete olive press in the centre of the area.

And one child, 13-year-old Ali Hasan Al-Masri, as wounded by shrapnel.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Rahman Akash
40 years old male Private report via KRC killed
Abdul-Rahman Dibo
55 years old male Private report via KRC killed
Ali Hasan Al-Masri
13 years old Private report via KRC injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the victim Abdul Rahman Akash, killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Blakqoor, Afrin 16th February 2018. (source: Afrin Now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows the victim who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin, 16th February 2018. (Source: aletihad press:
  • A video displays moke rising from the scene following an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin, 16th February 2018. (Source: Aletihad press)
  • An image shows the aftermath of shelling on Blakqoor, Afrin, 16th February 2018. (Source: Aletihad press)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Blakqoor, Afrin (بلانقور,عفرين ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.391667, 36.693056. 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
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]