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

TS602

Incident date

June 14, 2023

Location

الدندنية, Al Dandaniyah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.576592, 37.762351 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 14 June 2023, two children were injured by an alleged Turkish artillery strike, followed by a drone strike, on a farm in Al-Dandaniyah village in Manbij, the western countryside east of Aleppo.

One of the children who survived the strike, Muhammad Saeed, noted that the attack ‘directly bombed their whereabouts’ according to Hawar News. Muhammad also told Hawar News that the other child that was injured is named Othman Al Abdullah.

According to a statement from the Press Office of Manbij Military Council (MMC), whilst attempting to transfer the children to a hospital for treatment, four members of the MMC were killed by a Turkish drone strike and left two other members injured.

This version of events is supported by documentation by the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and the Kurdish news outlet ANF. All of the sources attribute the strikes to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Saeed محمد سعيد
Child injured
Othman Al Abdullah
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child injured by alleged Turkish shelling on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by SDF Press Office)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child injured by alleged Turkish shelling on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by SDF Press Office)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child injured by alleged Turkish shelling on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by SDF Press Office)
  • Graphic image of a child injured by alleged Turkish shelling on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by SDF Press Office)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child injured by alleged Turkish shelling on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by SDF Press Office)
  • Graphic image of a child injured by alleged Turkish shelling on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by SDF Press Office)
  • Four fighters killed while trying to help two children injured by alleged Turkish shelling on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by @Ahmad_1alshble via Twitter)
  • Graphic image of a child injured by alleged Turkish shelling on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by SDF Press Office)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Dandaniyah (الدندنية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.576592, 37.762351. 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, Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS630

Incident date

September 20, 2023

Location

قرية أبو نيتونا, Abu Nitouna, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was seriously injured by an alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Abu Nitouna on September 20, 2023

According to ANF’s correspondent, a citizen named Majed Ibrahim Ali was seriously injured by a Turkish bombardment of the village of Abu Nitouna. Alyaum TV added that in addition to the civilian injury, the Turkish bombing resulted in property damage.

The Violations Documentation Center put the injury toll at two civilians and reported that the injured were taken to the hospital.

All of the sources attributed the bombing to Turkey, with multiple sources mentioning that heavy weapons were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Majed Ibrahim Ali ماجد إبراهيم علي
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
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Majed Ibrahim Ali, seriously injured by alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Abu Nitouna on September 20, 2023. (Image posted by ANF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Majed Ibrahim Ali, seriously injured by alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Abu Nitouna on September 20, 2023. (Image posted by Ronahi.tv)

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
    1–2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI098

Incident date

October 13, 2023

Location

مخيم مخمور, Makhmur camp, Erbil Governorate , Kurdistan, Iraq

Airwars assessment

A woman was injured after an alleged Turkish drone strike hit a home in the Makhmur camp at approximately 9:25AM on October 13th, 2023.

The woman, 50-year-old Aisha Muhammad Ahmed, was a resident of the camp, which houses between 10,000 to 12,000 displaced Kurds. Her injuries, many of which look to be on her face and head, appeared to be severe. According to the co-chair of the camp’s People’s Council, Youssef Kara, the strike his the house of Rojhat Saleh.

A source told Shafaq News Agency that “The bombing was carried out by a Turkish drone and targeted a location inside the camp where supporters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party live. The bombing site is close to the site that was bombed last week, and the damage is not yet known.”

The incident occured at 09:25:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Aisha Muhammad Ahmed عائشة محمد أحمد
50 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ronahi.tv
  • Source: هامسا الكردية Hamsa Kurdish

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: هامسا الكردية Hamsa Kurdish
  • Source: ANF

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 infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS145

Incident date

February 1, 2018

Location

بلبلة, Bulbul, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.770899, 36.818318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a report shared with Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent named one civilian as wounded in Bulbul.

The victim was listed as “Ahmad Mohammed Haji, 32, various sharpnel in his body”.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mohammed Haji
Adult male 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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bulbul, Afrin (بلبلة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.770899, 36.818318. 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

Incident Code

TS240

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Location

ميركان, Mirkan, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5375, 36.713889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Mirkan, Syria, according to sources on the ground.

Hawar News reported: “The Turkish occupation army shelled the center of the area of Mabata and the village of Mircan. It used heavy artillery and missiles, and according to preliminary information, there are wounded civilians.”

IC Afrin said that initial information from local sources indicated that there were “many civilian casualties”.

The Military Council for the city of Manbij and countryside reported that “on the outskirts of Mirkan village, indiscriminate shelling continued with heavy weapons and targeted civilians directly. Many of them were wounded in the shelling”.

Other sources also reported Turkish artillery shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish shelling on Mirkan, Afrin, 3rd March 2018. (via Hawar)
  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish shelling on Mirkan, Afrin, 3rd March 2018. (via Hawar)
  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish shelling on Mirkan, Afrin, 3rd March 2018. (via Hawar)
  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish shelling on Mirkan, Afrin, 3rd March 2018. (via Hawar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mirkan, Afrin (ميركان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.5375, 36.713889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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

TS085

Incident date

June 22, 2017

Location

رأس العين ﺍﻟﺮﺍﻭﻳﺔ , al Rawiya village, Ras al Ain, Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.729444, 39.818611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of al Rawiya village, Ras al Ain, according to sources on the ground.

Al Hassaka Rasd reported that “two women and a girl were injured by a shell fired from the Turkish side on the village of #Rawiya in the region of Ras al-Ain in the north-western province of Hasaka, according to the director of Al-Qamishli Hospital”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the casualties – and pointed towards a Turkish shell.

According to SANA, the Syrian news agency, “two women and one girl were seriously injured by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from Turkish territory on the village of Al-Rawiya in the Ain al-Arab area in the northern countryside of Al-Hasakah last night [June 22nd].”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of al Rawiya village, Ras al Ain (رأس العين ﺍﻟﺮﺍﻭﻳﺔ ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.729444, 39.818611. 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
  • 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

TI026

Incident date

July 19, 2019

Location

مخيم الشهيد روستم جودي, Martyr Rustam Jodi Camp, Mosul, Iraq

Geolocation

35.759886, 43.605080 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Turkish forces shelled Martyr Rustam Joudi refugee camp in Makhmour and wounded two people around 3.15 am on July 19th, according to local sources.

Dwarozh News reported that Laila Arzou, the Joint Chief of Martyr Rostam Jodi camp, called on the United Nations and the federal government to protect civilians from Turkish shelling.

No other details are known at this time.

The incident occured at approximately 3:15 am local time.

Summary

  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video of the incident

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Martyr Rustam Jodi Camp (مخيم الشهيد روستم جودي) in Makhmur (مخمور). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the camp are: 35.759886, 43.605080.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS316

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Location

عين ديوار, Ayn Diwar, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

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

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged panoramic stitch of audio-visual material.

    Imagery:
    Vedeng

  • Tagged panoramic stitch of audio-visual material.

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Tagged satellite image.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]