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

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:

55 years old female injured
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

TS307A

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Location

تل أبيض, Tal Abyad, Raqqa , Syria

Geolocation

36.690203, 38.947563 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed allegedly by Turkish forces snipers in Tal Abyad, Raqqa in Syria on October 11th, 2019 according to local sources.

No other details are available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 town of Tal Abyad (تل أبيض), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.690203, 38.947563. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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

TS428

Incident date

April 2, 2020

Location

أم الكيف, Um al Keif, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.681181, 40.329241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured in alleged Turkish forces shelling on Um al Keif in Tal Tamr, Hasaka, Syria on April 2nd, 2020 according to ANF News.

The source reported that Turkish forces have been heavily shelling Tal Tamr region, and that “the aggression led to injury of 27-year-old Khalid Mihemed Ibrahim in the village of Um al Keif”

Mother of the injured civilian spoke to a news agency saying that “the Turkish occupation army started to bomb the village at around 12 at noon. My son was hit by shrapnel pieces. We rushed him to hospital without losing time.”

The civilian is in a stable condition.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

27 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khalid Mihemed Ibrahim, aged 27, was injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Um Al Kaf in Tal Tamr, Syria on April 2nd, 2020 (via ANF).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vilage of Um al Keif (أم الكيف) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.681181, 40.329241. 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
    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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI048

Incident date

August 19, 2020

Location

كانى ماز, Kani Masi, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.229298, 43.438993 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by a Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi.

Rudaw reported: “Khalid Abdulrahman, 60, was killed while trying to rescue his grazing livestock after several Turkish airstrike hit the village of Kani Mazin, according to Kani Masi Mayor Sarbast Akrey.

‘At 1:45pm a drone came and fired two rockets and then a jet came and fired three others. When the jet fired the sixth rocket it hit the vicinity of the village,’ Akrey told Rudaw English.

‘The teacher tried to rescue the livestock which were near a fire caused by the bombardment but he was killed,’ he added.

The outskirts of the village were set alight by the airstrikes, and villagers have failed to extinguish the blaze, according to the mayor.”

According to Shafaaq the victim was 50 years old.

NRT said: “Sub-district director Sarbast Akrayi told NRT Digital Media that the Turkish military attacked the area around 1:30 pm, conducting five bombing runs, which caused significant damage to the villagers’ orchards and groves.”

Several sources said that the victim was the headmaster of a local school.

The incident occured between 1:30 pm and 1:54 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Khalid Abdulrahman
60 years old male Teacher killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via Gokturk report)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via Wa'ed)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via ANF)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via ANF)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via ANF)
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi on August 19th, 2020 (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kani Masi (كاني ماسي) for which the generic coordinates are: 37.229298, 43.438993. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI053A

Incident date

January 22, 2021

Location

كري , Gri, Duhok , Iraq

Geolocation

37.19087, 42.9706 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were reported injured and hundreds of sheep killed as a result of alleged Turkish bombing of three areas in Kurdistan on January 22nd, 2021.

The first bombed area was Gri in Duhok’s Chamanke district, at the foot of Gara mountain near the border with Turkey. Mohammed Sheikhzade, a villager there whose two brothers got injured told Rudaw “Turkish warplanes bombarded the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) positions today at 2:30pm. A bomb hit near our house, breaking the window glass. As a result, my brothers Salih, 10, and Islam, 15, were injured due to the broken glass.” This information was confirmed by the mayor of Chamanke.

Turkey’s Defence Minister allegedly said they ‘neutralized’ four PKK fighters in the Gara area. (Which could mean killed, injured or captured).

According to Rudaw, Turkish warplanes hit a barn in Chikan village in the Choman district of Erbil province, killing hundreds of sheep. @BaxtiyarGoran tweeted images of dead sheep resulting from the attack.

The third area bombed was Gundazhur village in Haji Omran district of Erbil, but no casualties were reported from that one, according to the mayor. The Turkish ministry of defence again said they ‘neutralized’ three PKK fighters.

The incident occured at 14:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

10 years old male injured
15 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sheep killed as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Chikan village in the Choman district of Erbil province on January 22nd, 2021. (image via @BaxtiyarGoran)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sheep killed as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Chikan village in the Choman district of Erbil province on January 22nd, 2021. (image via @BaxtiyarGoran)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Gri, also known as Kara (كري), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.19087, 42.9706. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS476

Incident date

October 20, 2021

Location

كوباني‎, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two people were killed and three others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Kobani on a vehicle on October 20, 2021. Sources were conflicted as to whether the people killed were civilians or militants while the three injured were reported to be civilians.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a Turkish drone struck a car of civilians in Kobani, killing one of the “cadres” and his driver, in addition to injuring others, with one of them in serious condition.

Hawar News Agency reported that three civilians were injured in the drone strikes, which occurred at 15:30, and the injured were taken to Kobani hospitals for treatment. They provided the names of those injured: “the child Ali Shukri Lutfi Muhammad, aged 16, Bakr Jarada, the 49-year-old co-chair of the Justice Commission in the Euphrates region, and Ali Rashad Mistou, 19.”

Local sources told BasNews that the vehicle that was targeted by the Turkish drone was a “civilian car carrying a Kurdistan Workers’ Party official near the Amal Hospital in Kobani, which resulted in deaths and injuries”. However, they did not specify whether those killed or injured were civilians, adding that “these sources did not reveal the identify of the official or the number of dead and wounded”.

Aramme News identified the two people killed as being leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and that the SDF imposed a security cordon on the scene following the incident. However, the correspondent for Ahdath Alyoum News reported that two administrative workers were killed alongside Bakr Jarada, who was injured.

Images listed by BasNews and Hawar News Agency show at least two different vehicles that sustained damage in the drone strikes.

All of the sources that reported on the incident pointed to Turkish drones as being responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Shukri Lutfi Muhammad
16 years old male injured
Bakr Jarada
49 years old male co-chair of the Justice Commission in the Euphrates region injured
Ali Rashad Mistou
19 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Damage to cars from drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • One of the victims of alleged Turkish drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • One of the victims of alleged Turkish drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • One of the victims of alleged Turkish drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • Damage to cars from drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • Damage to cars from drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • Damage to cars from drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • One of the cars damaged in drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • One of the cars damaged in drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • Two of the cars damaged in drone strikes on Kobani on October 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)

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
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS502

Incident date

April 22, 2022

Location

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.889165, 38.353649 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on Al-Shaheed Kawa neighborhood south of the city of Kobani on April 22, 2022.

North Press Agency reported that “A shell landed on houses in the Al-Shaheed Kawa neighborhood, south of the city. As a result, Farhad Muhammad Hassan (28 years) was wounded with shrapnel in the leg and back. Farhad Muhammad Hassan said, “A shell fell at ten in the morning on our house, while we were sitting.” He added, I was hit by two shrapnel in my leg and back, and I was taken to hospital. A medical source told North-Press, “The young man’s injury is moderate, and he has been discharged from the hospital, after receiving treatment, and his health condition is currently stable.”

The New Arab reported that Turkish drones carried out strikes on the city centre of Kobani and a nearby village, injuring two people overall, including another civilian injury documented in TS502a.

Kurdistan24 quoted Rojava Media Centre, which stated that Turkey’s “bombardment of Kobani city center with howitzers, civilians were injured and shops were burned” without specifying how many civilians were injured. Kurdistan24 also quoted Hawar News Agency, which identified four “artillery shells have hit the city so far,” adding that the shells “fell on 48th Street and Kaniya Kurda neighborhood in Kobani city.”

North Press Agency listed the locations that the four shells struck as Al-Shaheed Kawa neighborhood south of the city, shops on Al-Arbaeen Street in the center of the city, Kania Kordan neighborhood and Kobani forest.

The US Embassy in Syria condemned the attack, tweeting that “We are deeply concerned by reports of shelling on Kobani and deplore any loss of civilian life. The United States calls on all parties to deescalate.”

Mazloum Abdî, the SDF General Commander, tweeted a statement: “Turkey is escalating violations of int’l covenants with guarantor countries against our regions. The targeting of Kobani, shelling of innocent civilians, & killings of administrative figures by drones are provocations that threaten security & peace & hinder anti-ISIS operations.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Farhad Muhammad Hassan فرهاد محمد حسن
28 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • ANHA correspondent from the area reported that Turkish occupation army resumed its artillery bombardment on the center of the city of Kobani, and reprted that an artillery shell fell on a 3-storey building on the Street 48 without exploding (Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish bombing of Kobani on April 22, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish bombing of Kobani on April 22, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Farhad Muhammad Hassan (28 years), who was injured by shrapnel in the leg in alleged Turkish strikes in Kobani. (Image posted by Ezdina)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on houses in the Al Shahid Kawa (الشهيد كاوا) neighbourhood, allegedly located in the south of the city of Kobani (كوباني). The generic coordinates for Kobani are: 36.889165, 38.353649. 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
    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 (10) [ collapse]