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

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

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

CS387 TS014

Incident date

November 22, 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 girls died in a reported Turkish or Coalition airstrike on the village of Sab Wayran near Aleppo, Syria.

Manbij Military Council (linked to the SDF) reported that “two sisters were martyred from the family of Ahmad al Rashid Beish Illo after Turkish occupation planes raided their home in the village of Sab Wayran.” It added that four people were injured.

The Syrian Network instead blamed the attack on the Coalition. However the Assad-controlled SANA news agency said the village had been captured by Turkey and its allies, following clashes with the Kurdish SDF.

In August 2017 the US-led Coalition denied involvement in the event, noting that “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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Amina Ahmad Alo
Child female killed
Shahed Ahmad Alo
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Sara al Ahmad
3 years years old female injured
Najwa al Ahmad
14 years years old female injured
Khanum Shamlo
35 years years old female injured
Ahmad Saleh
8 years years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Saleh, injured in an alleged Coalition and Turkish airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)
  • Khanum Shamlo injured in an alleged Coalition and Turkish airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sara al Ahmad injured in an alleged Coalition and Turkish airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)
  • Photograph shows one of the two sisters, Shahad and Amina Ahmad Rashid Beish Illo, killed in an alleged Turkish and Coalition airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)
  • Photograph shows one of the two sisters, Shahad and Amina Ahmad Rashid Beish Illo, killed in an alleged Turkish and Coalition airstrike on Sab Wayran, 22nd November 2016. (via Manbij Military council)

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.

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

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 Sabwayran, 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 22nd-23rd 2016 the Coalition reported no strikes in Aleppo governorate.

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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ 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]

Incident Code

TS133

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Location

حج خليل, Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.678611, 36.683611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or more civilians died in an alleged Turkish shelling of Haj Khalil village, according to local media. A number of sources referred to the event as “a horrific massacre”.

Rumaf reported that “children and elderly” were targeted in the attack.

According to Military Council for Manbij and surrounding area [SDF], which published graphic images of victims, “the army of the Turkish invasion committed a horrific massacre of civilians in the village of Haj Khalil in the area of Rajo after targeting the village this morning. This led to the death of a number of civilians and wounding others”.

According to the Smart News Agency, “the Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces, on its official website, said that a number of civilians were killed and wounded by shelling of the factions of the Free Army and Turkish forces on the village of Haj Khalil in Rajo district and on the side of Bulbul, without mentioning the number of victims or details of them.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Ahmad Baker
55 years old male killed
Mohammed Ahmed Bakr
66 years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Ahmed Bakr, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via Afrin Now)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualty, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via SDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Ahmed Bakr, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via SDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualty, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via SDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An elderly man injured in the alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via Rumaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man injured in the alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via Rumaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured in the alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via Rumaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualty, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via Military Council for Manbij)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualty, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via Military Council for Manbij)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualty, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via Military Council for Manbij)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Animals were killed in the alleged Turkish airstrike on Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin, 28th January 2018. (via Afrin Now)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Haj Khalil village, Rajo district, Afrin (حج خليل), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.678611, 36.683611. 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 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS164

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Location

اشكا غابري, Ashka Gharbi village, Jandrissa, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.399444, 36.636667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to several sources, an unidentified number of civilians were wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Ashka Gharbi village, Jandrissa, Afrin.

Afrin Now reported that in Syria the Turkish occupation army shelled the village of Ashka Gharbi of the Jundressa area in Afrin province with artillery. There were reports of civilian casualties and injuries caused by indiscriminate shelling.

On February 9th, The Military Council for Manbij and its countryside reported that at 6 pm yesterday, the village of Ashkan Gharbi was subjected to a very violent indiscriminate artillery bombardment causing civilian injuries.

The same video was used to document the shelling of Kafr Shila which injured three civilians, including two 10 year old boys and their mother. It is unclear to which incident it belongs. 

The incident occured at 18:00:00 local time.

Summary

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A boy injured in "very violent indiscriminate artillery bombardment", by alleged Turkish shelling. 8th February 2018. (via SDF PRESS)
  • The sign at the village (which is made by the Kurdish people, not official Syrian regime sign) reads” Aska Rojava.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ashka Gharbi village, Jandrissa, Afrin (اشكا غابري), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.399444, 36.636667. 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 – 2
  • 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

TS123

Incident date

January 24, 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 two civilian males were killed and five injured in the vicinity of Shya in Afrin canton.

A report shared with Airwars, named the five injured men.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Rashed Hassan
33 years old male killed
Shekho Haydar Shalik
39 years old male killed
Ahmad Ali Murad
20 years old male named by a report shared with Airwars injured
Zakarya Hason
37 years old male named by a report shared with Airwars injured
Majed Haysam Shabo
41 years old male named by a report shared with Airwars injured
Alosh Muhamad Mustafa
25 years old male named by a report shared with Airwars injured
Marwan Horo
32 years old male named by a report shared with Airwars injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English

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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English

Incident Code

TS134

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Location

بلبلة, Bulbula, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Military Council for Manbij [SDF] reported that a “Turkish aircraft targeted Bulbula this morning which resulted in the death and injury of civilians in the town”.

Kobanidil also reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in the attack.

Afrin Now named a 60 year old male victim, however The Kurdish Red Crescent placed his death on January 27th.

The same photos as TS133 were posted for reports regarding this incident, and Airwars are unsure as to which incident they belong. To see the photo’s please see previous incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Mustafa Mastori
60 years old male killed

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bulbula, 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
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]