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

TS204

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to a local report, a civilian at the age of 13 years old was injured following an alleged Turkish shelling of Jindires, Afrin.

Rumaf identified the victim by name. Alghad TV reveals a report that shows the destruction of civilians houses in Jindires, Afrin followed alleged airstrikes and shelling.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

13 years old various shrapnel wounds injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A channel report reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Turkish shelling. the report also said that airstrike used in the village of Afrin Jindires, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Alghad TV)
  • An image shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported shelling allegedly by Turkish aircraft on Afrin, 16th February 2018. (source: Shyar Jamo)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jindires, Afrin (جنديرس), 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
    Unknown
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS202

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

ارندة, عفرين, Aranda, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that six civilians were injured following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas”.

According to Nuce 24, the Turkish military occupation army targeted the village of Aranda, in the area of Shih, with an artillery shell poisoned by chemical gas (it is not yet known what the gas was). A doctor noted that the injured were suffering from nausea, burning in the eyes, itching in the body and vomiting.

Multiple sources named six injured victims.

According to Nuce, the clothes of victims had been sent for analysis to determine what chemical agents were involved.

Afrin Now reported a statement from the management of Afrin Hospital. The second page is from the chemistry lab and reads: The central chemistry lab in Afreen carried out tests of earth samples presented by you on 16/2/2018 from the village of Arnada in Sheikh al Hadid area [the location of the raid]. The results were that the earth samples contain high levels of chlorine. Other samples from around the village were tested and did not contain any chlorine 18/2/2018.

Rojava and IC Afrinresistance citing the Efrîn Health Council and the Official Press Conference on the attack also confirmed the presence of chlorine.

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that the six injured experienced several symptoms suspected of as symptoms of chemical gas, such as respiratory issues – cough – eczema – skin irritation, narrowing pupil. The medics also suffered from skin itching and teary eyes.

It was later reported that analysis had shown traces of chlorine. According to Xeber 24: In a statement issued by the Health Council in Afrin province on 18 February 2018, the Afrin Hospital proved that the Turkish army used chlorine gas in the village of Aranda in the province of Shih. The Board indicated that they had based their report on samples that had been detected in the hospital’s laboratories.

Reuters later carried a denial by an unnamed Turkish military source: These are baseless accusations. Turkey never used chemical weapons. We take utmost care about civilians in Operation Olive Branch. According to Reuters, the source also described the accusations of wounding six civilians through a suspected gas attack as black propaganda.

In a report by Reuters, Turkey denied using chemical weapons. Reuters reported: Turkey never used chemical weapons in its operations in Syria, and takes the utmost care of civilians, a Turkish diplomatic source said, after Syrian Kurdish forces and a monitoring group accused it of carrying out a gas attack in Syria’s Afrin region.

These are baseless accusations. Turkey never used chemical weapons. We take utmost care about civilians in Operation Olive Branch, the source said.

The source also described the accusations of wounding six civilians through a suspected gas attack as black propaganda.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

29 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
33 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
35 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
32 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
35 years old male Via Afrin Now injured
43 years old male Via Afrin Now injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

  • A video reveals a victim being treated at the medical centre following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Nuce24 )
  • A video reveals a victim being treated at the medical centre following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Nuce24 )
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Rumaf)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Rumaf)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas”, Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Rumaf)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Nuce24)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Nuce24)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Afrin Now)
  • A picture shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Afrin Now)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas”Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. (Source: Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • A video reveals a major press conference by Efrîns health council concerning the Chemical Attack on the Efrîn ( Source: @AzadiRojava)
  • A video reveals the interview on the TV channel as Joan Mohammed, Director of Afrin Hospital explained the attack by toxic chemicals (Source: Syria alikhbaroya news)
  • An image shows a number of victims who suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. ( Source: Kurdistan24)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. ( Source: Kurdistan24)
  • An image shows a victim suffocated following an alleged Turkish attack with missiles/artillery shells containing “toxic gas” Aranda, Afrin 16th February 2018. ( Source: Kurdistan24)
  • Interview.
  • Video report from hospital showing the effects of chemical weapons. (via Mekut)
  • Statement from the management of Afrin Hospital to the world's public opinion and international organisations regarding the cases that were taken to a hospital from the village of Aranda and confirmed that the Turkish occupation used chemical gases.
  • From chemistry lab. The central chemistry lab in Afreen carried out tests of earth samples presented by you on 16/2/2018 from the village of Arnada in Sheikh al Hadid area [the location of the raid] The results were that the earth samples contain high levels of chlorine Other samples from around the village were tested and did not contain any chlorine 18/2/2018

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Aranda, Afrin (ارندة, 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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

TS199

Incident date

February 15, 2018

Location

خوتانة, Khoutana village, Bilbileh district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.598164, 36.639362 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent named one child was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Khoutana.

The victim was named as 10-year-old Mohemmed Noury Ibrahim, who reportedly sustained bruising to his head.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Nuri Ibrahim
10 years old Private report via KRC 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khoutana village, Bilbileh district, Afrin (خوتانة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.598164, 36.639362. 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS200

Incident date

February 15, 2018

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent named one civilian was wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Shya, Syria.

The male victim was named at 21, who reportedly was wounded by shrapnel in the foot.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Dawood
21 years old male shrapnel in the foot 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 Shya, Afrin (شيا 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
    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

TS201

Incident date

February 15, 2018

Location

جنديرس,عفرين , Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, two civilians were wounded with various shrapnel injuries in an alleged Turkish shelling of Jindires, Syria.

The victims were identified by names and age.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Rajab
31 years old male various shrapnel injuries injured
Ahmad Dibo
31 years old male various shrapnel injuries injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS198

Incident date

February 15, 2018

Location

معملا, Mamli, Rajo district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.598164, 36.639362 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple reports, one named civilian killed, and an unidentified number of injured among civilians followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Mamli, Syria.

ANF news named a 55-years-old, as a victim. Please note that the name on the card in the photo is Mahmood Barazi, but the source claims his name was Mohammed Hassan.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Turkish artillery and missile shelling resulted in the death of a citizen, and there is information about others injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

55 years old male killed
Fawzi Abeen
37 years old male shrapnel in right thigh injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Hassan, killed in alleged Turkish shelling on Mamli, Rajo district, Afrin, 15th February 2018. (via ANF )

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mamli, Rajo district, Afrin (معملا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.598164, 36.639362. 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 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS197

Incident date

February 14, 2018

Location

قرية بيكه، عفرين, Beeka village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.767778, 36.816944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Rumaf sent a private report to Airwars alleging that that two civilians were wounded in Turkish shelling of Beeka village. 

Amina Rasheed Sidou, aged 42, from the village of Bibaku in the town of Bulbulah, expressed her deep anger over the targeting of the village by the Turkish occupation army. She confirmed that she did not give up her village and would not give up. But it will not allow Erdogan and his allies to seize one piece of the territory of the province.

Please note that the private report alleged that the civilians were injured on the 15th, however the other sources reported they were injured on the 14th. There are no other details regarding this at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amina Rashid Seedo al Omar
42 years old female hit in the back with shrapnel injured
Naima Rashid Seedo al Omar
58 years old female hit in the face with shrapnel injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of Naima Rashid Seedo al Omar, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Beeka village, 14th/15th February 2018. (via: jin news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Beeka village, Afrin (قرية بيكه، عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.767778, 36.816944. 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
  • 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

TS194

Incident date

February 13, 2018

Location

بعدينو٫شيخ بلو٫ راجو , Ba'adino, Sheikh Billo, Rajo district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.620000, 36.690833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Sheikh Billo in Afrin’s Rajo district.

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported two injured in an intensive shelling by allegedly the Turk on Sheikh Billo in Afrin’s Rajo district.

A private report from KRC reported the names and type of injury of the two adult males.

Please note, some of the images from TS193 are also reported for this incident. We are unable to determine which incident they belong to.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haitham Mustafa Ali
31 years old male shrapnel wound injured
Mohammed Aref Hannan
55 years old male head injury injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sa'arnajka, Sharan district, Afrin, 13th February 2018. (via The Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sa'arnajka, Sharan district, Afrin, 13th February 2018. (via The Kurdish Red Crescent)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sa'arnajka, Sharan district, Afrin, 13th February 2018. (via The Kurdish Red Crescent)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ba’adino, Sheikh Billo, Rajo district, Afrin (بعدينو٫شيخ بلو٫ راجو ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.620000, 36.690833. 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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]