Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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
text search
820 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

TS099

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Location

عداما, A'dama, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.768333, 36.661389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and four others were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of A’dama village in the Afrin countryside, according to local media.

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that two civilians were killed and five people injured in the vicinity of Rajo in Afrin canton.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Avin Azad
Adult female named in a report shared with Airwars killed
Majd Abd
Adult male named in a report shared with Airwars killed
Hiba Akram Osman
13 years old injured
Rokeyv
Age unknown female injured
Diryan Muhammad Sedo
Adult female injured
Merkhaz Ghareb
Age unknown injured
Ferhad Mohammed Hemdosh
Age unknown injured
Mustefah Apo Hemo
12 years old male injuries to his lower limbs, named by The Kurdish Red Crescent injured
Unidentified girl
Child female Ada Press, Sipan Silo and Hawar News added that a girl was also seriously injured, and blamed Turkey. injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An injured civilian recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on A'dama, 21st Jan 2018. (via Sherwan)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of A’dama (عداما), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.768333, 36.661389. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS015

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Location

صابويران, Sab Wayran, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.51741, 37.65538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians from Sab Wayran were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes, according to local media.

Smart News reported: “Two civilians were killed and others wounded on Wednesday by Turkish air and missile strikes on the city of Manbij, Aleppo, according to the information office of the Manbij military council.

The spokesperson, Ahmed Mohammed, told Smart News, the village of Sab Wayran, west of Manbij, was subjected to raids by the Turkish air force, and the bombing of rocket launchers from the Turkish army, killing civilians and wounding seven others.”

The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights wrote: “A video shows a testimony by one of the citizens of Sab Wayran village near Eryma town in the countryside of Manbij and controlled by Manbij Military Council, which also injured other members of his family and killed two of his children, in addition to the destruction of his home and his property.“

A transcript of SOHR’s interview with Mr Salah Rashid Darwish Mesha’lo, from Sab Waryan, reads as follows: “We were seven families. We were bombarded by the Turkish warplanes. There weren’t military checkpoints around us or anything, but we were bombarded by the Turkish warplanes. There are four wounded and two girls were killed aged 5 and 6 years old. The house was destroyed and my car and bike were destroyed. This small boy is my son [camera pans to injured boy and girl.]”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Daughter (1) of Salah Rashid Darwish Mesha’lo
5 years old female killed
Daughter (2) of Salah Rashid Darwish Mesha’lo
6 years old female killed
Daughter (3) of Salah Rashid Darwish Mesha’lo
Child female injured
Son (1) of Salah Rashid Darwish Mesha’lo
Child male injured
Unknown family member (1)
Age unknown injured
Unknown family member (2)
injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sab Wayran (صابويران), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.51741, 37.65538. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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

TS205

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

شيه,عفرين , Sheya, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Sheya, Afrin (شيه,عفرين ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.496944, 36.598333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS237

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

مابيتة, Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.514444, 36.704444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians died and five more were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Kahre, according to local media. Reports said that shelling occurred at 2.00 am, with a shell landing in the main square.

According to Rok news, “the village of Khera, in the area of ​​Maabtli, came under artillery fire after midnight on Thursday, killing the young man, and wounding five others.”

Sources published images of the victims being treated in a medical facility.

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Joan Sadiq Rachid
35 years old male killed
Giwan Sadk Rashed
35 years old male killed
Riber Hanan Imo
47 years old injured
Mahmoud Abdo Emo
51 years old male injured
Jamil Mohammed Waqas
47 years old male injured
Ahmed Jamil Qassem
38 years old male injured
Ahmed Suleiman Mohammed
55 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Hawar)
  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Hawar)
  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Hawar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Bas)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Brexwadanakurd)
  • A civilian who was either killed or wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Brexwadanakurd)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Brexwadanakurd)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Brexwadanakurd)
  • Giwan Sadk Rashed, killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via SheroAlo1)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Arin Cheikhmous)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Arin Cheikhmous)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Arin Cheikhmous)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via IC Afrin)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via IC Afrin)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via IC Afrin)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via IC Afrin)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin (مابيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.514444, 36.704444. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS121

Incident date

January 24, 2018

Location

جمان, Jman village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.64629, 36.940134 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Afrin Anhan reported that there were “civilian martyrs in a Turkish shelling of Jman village in Shiran district, Afrin”. Furthermore, according to Almanar, “a civilian was killed by Turkish artillery shells”.

Other sources however did not report on any civilian casualties from this airstrike.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jman village, Afrin (جمان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.64629, 36.940134. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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

TS206

Incident date

February 16, 2018

Location

بلانقور,عفرين , Blakqoor, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the victim Abdul Rahman Akash, killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Blakqoor, Afrin 16th February 2018. (source: Afrin Now)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Blakqoor, Afrin (بلانقور,عفرين ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.391667, 36.693056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS270

Incident date

March 13, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Road between Jindires and Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.433675, 36.772044 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported the death of two civilians in an alleged Turkish airstrike on the road between Jindires and Afrin city, Syria.

The SDF War Media reported: The Martyrdom of two Civilians by Turkish raids on the Jandarsa road. the victims died while trying to escape with their lives from the bombing of Turkey. They have not been identified.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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 shows the victim who killed followed an alleged Turkish air strike on Road between Jindires and Afrin city, 13th March 2018. (source: SDF war media facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Road between Jindires and Afrin city (جنديرس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.433675, 36.772044. 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
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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

TS007 CS371

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Location

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were reported killed and three injured in ‘Coalition’ strikes on Al Bab. However, other reports claimed that Turkey and its FSA allies may have been responsible.

Sky News reported that Turkish tanks were advancing on Al Bab, while France 24 described Turkish airstrikes on the city. Reporting casualties, Halab News said “an unidentified man and woman were killed, following coalition raids on al Bab and they are civilians from the town.”

All 4 Syria said that both the Coalition and Turkey conducted strikes on the city: “Extensive Turkish air strikes in Al Bab destroyed four buildings and a car used by IS while coalition carried out six airstrikes and killed ten IS fighters. However, Al Amaq reported the death of a civilian and three others wounded due to Turkish tank bombardment.”

ISIS’s media wing also reported civilian casualties, initially noting “one dead and three civilians injured – one of them in a critical condition – following Turkish artillery bombardment of the city of Al Bab in the Aleppo countryside.” It also reported US airstrikes alongside Turkish artillery attacks.

In August 2017 the US-led alliance denied responsibility for the event, stating: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (مدينة الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Bab, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 12th-13th, the Coalition reported no strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]