Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

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Incident Code

TS546

Incident date

August 16, 2022

Location

قرية زورافا, Zorava village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

A child was killed and up to seven others, including two children and a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the city of Kobani and surrounding villages on August 16, 2022.

The Internal Security Forces in North and East Syria (Asayish) reported that artillery shelling of the city of Kobani resulted in the death of a 14 year old child and the injury of five civilians, including a woman and a child. The statement also pointed out that the shelling affected vital and service facilities.

According to Hawar News Agency, the child that was killed is Abid Muhammed Haji and the civilians injured in Kobane are aged between two and 40 years old. Hawar also specified the names of those injured: Abid Khalaf (40), Marwa Hamdo (40) from Seftik village, 2-year old child named Khalil Jihad Sheikho, and Ala Ibo (19). North Press Agency reported that at least two of the injured civilians were taken to Al-Amal Hospital.

A tweet from @Mustafa_Alali2 identified three people as being injured in addition to the child that was killed while Medya News reported that two civilians were hospitalized with severe injuries. The highest casualty count was that seven civilians were injured, including a woman and two children, provided by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which potentially includes injuries from other incidents that occurred in Syria on the same day.

Media News quoted North Press who stated that five high explosive shells hit the neighborhood of Martyr Batman in Kobane in addition to other villages in the western countryside of the city.

Reuters reported that the shelling started overnight and intensified throughout the day, according to residents and the local administration. Dilvin, a shopkeeper and married mother of one, said chaos broke out in Kobane during the shelling: “People started running everywhere, cars everywhere, people asking about their friends and their family. Then the sounds started to build, the sounds were everywhere. There was so much screaming. So much fear. Now everyone is locked up at home.”

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abid Khalaf عبد خلف
40 years old injured
Marwa Hamdo مروى حمدو
40 years old from Seftik village injured
Khalil Jihad Sheikho
2 years old injured
Ala Ibo
19 years old injured
Abid Muhammed Haji عبد محمد حجي
12 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Kobane on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • One of the civilians injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Kobane on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Kobane on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Mustafa_Alali2)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Kobane on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Mustafa_Alali2)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Kobane on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by @farhad_shami)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child killed in alleged Turkish shelling of Kobane on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by @farhad_shami)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of civilian victims of alleged Turkish shelling of Kobane on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child killed in alleged Turkish shelling of Kobane on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by Kamishli - Qamişlo via Facebook)

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS573

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

الزيدية, Al Zaydiyah, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.804710, 40.379030 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Al Zaydiyah on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that two people were injured by an explosive-laden drone strike on the village of Al Zaydiyah in Darbasiyah district. ANF added that at the time there was no information on the condition of those injured.

A Facebook post by Evin Shexmous published a similar casualty toll of two civilian injured by a Turkish drone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zaydiyah (الزيدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.804710, 40.379030. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS604

Incident date

June 16, 2023

Location

مشفى تل رفعت, Tal Rifaat Hospital, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.470464, 37.079211 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 16 June 2023, Tal Rifaat Hospital in the northern countryside of Aleppo was allegedly struck by a Turkish artillery strike. The Health Authority in the area reported that four civilians were injured in the strike, including one of the medical staff who works in the hospital, while other sources referred to “members” of the medical staff being injured. According to the statement, 25-year-old Mukhlis Ahmed Nassan, 40-year-old Abdullah Abdul Rahman Murad, 45-year-old Muhammad Hamid and 27-year-old Mustafa Hassan have all suffered from injuries, with two in a critical condition.

The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, the Health Body, the Health Authority and the local news outlet, ANF, documented the event, with calls for the ‘international community to put pressure on the Turkish occupation state to stop its brutal attacks’.

A Facebook post from Serhed Amara pointed out that it seems that a Russian base is located next to the hospital in Tal Rifaat.

According to North Press Agency, the shelling occurred in the center of the town and also resulted in material damages to the residents’ properties.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mukhlis Ahmed Naasan مخلص أحمد نعسان
25 years old injured
Abdullah Abdul Rahman Murad عبدلله عبدالرحمن مراد
40 years old injured
Muhammad Hamid محمد حميد
45 years old injured
Mustafa Hassan مصطفى حسن
27 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish strikes on Tal Rifaat on June 16, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • One of the victims of alleged Turkish strikes on Tal Rifaat on June 16, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish strikes on Tal Rifaat on June 16, 2023. (Image posted by بارين عفرين Barin Efrin via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Tal Rifaat Hospital (مشفى تل رفعت) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.470464, 37.079211. 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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS632

Incident date

September 27, 2023

Location

قرية حدريات, Hudayrat village, Al-Hishah district, Ain Issa, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that an artillery shelling was allegedly carried out by the Turkish forces and their proxy factions on Hudayrat village in Al-Hishah district of the eastern countryside of Ain Issa. The attack reportedly killed at least one civilian, later identified as Omar Muhammad Al-Juwaid (35). Meanwhile, two other civilians, identified as Mahfouz Al-Hammadi (30) and Merisi Al-Hammadi (32), were reportedly injured and hospitalised.

On the day of the alleged incident, multiple local media outlets and social media groups also reported the airstrike, corroborating the location, number and identities of the victims and attributing the airstrike to the Turkish forces. Some of the outlets also circulated the [WARNING: GRAPHIC] pictures of two of the victims at the hospital, one of whom appeared to be killed and the other appeared to suffer injuries.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Muhammed al-Juwaid عمر محمد الجويد
35 years old male killed
Mahfouz Al-Hammadi محفوظ الحمادي
30 years old injured
Merisi Al-Hammadi مريسي الحمادي
32 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS114

Incident date

January 23, 2018

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that four civilians including two children were injured in the vicinity of Shya in Afrin canton.

YPG news reported Turkish bombing, but made no mention of civilian casualties.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hesen Hemkalino
16 years old male named through a report shared with Airwars injured
Rojhat Ahmad
3 years old named through a report shared with Airwars injured
Asya Shekh Murad
70 years old female named through a report shared with Airwars injured
Fareda Kolen
56 years old female named through a report shared with Airwars injured

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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Shya (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
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ 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:

Kawa Ahmed Habib.
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

TI022a

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Location

Xakurkê, Erbil, Iraq

Geolocation

37.036667, 44.651389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reportedly injured in Turkish airstrike on Xakurkê in the Qandil mountains.

ANF reported: “The villagers, who rushed out to extinguish the fire at 6 am this morning were targeted by Turkish warplanes.

Four villagers were wounded in the attack, one of them seriously. Two of the villagers were named locally as Jabir and Xoshevi.

Local sources informed ANF that the wounded are from the village of Merga Reşê in Şeyh Zade valley and are being treated at Soran hospital.”

According to ANHA, “The villagers rushed to rescue their plants, but the warplane targeted them on Wednesday morning [June 5th], and that resulted in wounding four villagers, and the condition of one of them is critical.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jabir
Adult male injured
Xoshevi
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on .Xakurkê, Qandil mountains, June 5th 2019 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Xakurkê, for which the generic coordinates are: 37.036667, 44.651389. 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
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS317

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

بركي, Pirikê, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.237153, 42.185783 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

@c1wan tweeted:  “A shepherd named Xelîl Seîd Hemkê Kurd lost his life after the Turkish army attacked the village of Pirikê with a howitzer. An Assyrian citizen named Danî Hena was also injured.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said: “A civilian who was grazing livestock was killed in shelling launched by the Turkish Forces on the outskirts of Qasr Dib village in the al-Malkiyyeh countryside.”

However, @serdar_melah and @kamaloskan and several other sources said that Xelîl Seîd Hemkê was killed by “a Turkish sniper”.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Xelîl Seîd Hemkê Kurd
Adult male A shepherd killed
Danî Hena
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: "A shepherd named Xelîl Seîd Hemkê Kurd lost his life after the Turkish army attacked the village of Pirikê with a howitzer. An Assyrian citizen named Danî Hena was also injured."

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Pirke (Pirikê/بركي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.237153, 42.185783. 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, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 (10) [ collapse]