Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

TS541

Incident date

August 8, 2022

Location

قرية جديدة, Jadida village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.531498, 38.821210 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in the alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Jadida on August 8, 2022.

According to a correspondent for Hawar News, a “citizen” named Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26, was wounded by Turkish bombing of Ain Issa.

A Facebook post from Live voice specified that the bombing occurred in Jadida village and resulted in the injury of Farhan, adding that there were no other details available about his injury and his health condition.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Press Center added that Farhan works as a farmer and was transferred “to the hospital of the martyr “Omar Alloush” in the town of Ain Issa for treatment.”

All of the sources attributed the bombing Turkish forces, with the SDF Press Center specifying that the Turkish struck the village with artillery shells and tanks.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Farhan Muhammad Bashir 26 years old male injured

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by SDF Press)
  • Graphic images of the wounds sustained by Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26 years old, who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Jadida on August 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jadida (جديدة), allegedly located in the western countryside of Ain Issa (بعين عيسى) district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jadida are: 36.531498, 38.821210.

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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS542

Incident date

August 9, 2022

Location

السلماسة, Al Salmsaa, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.640463, 40.292959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed on August 9th 2022 in the village of Al-Salmsaa, southwest of Tal Tamr district in Syria, as a result of alleged Turkish military artillery.

The incident was reported to have taken place at approximately 3:30am in the morning, which allegedly resulted in the death of Ibrahim Mohammad Hashi, aged 55. He was reportedly displaced from the village of Al-Sebatiya, northwest of Tal Tamr district.

Hashi was severely injured in this attack and was taken to Hasaka Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The incident occured at 03:30:00 local time.

  • Ibrahim Muhammad Hashi 55 years old male killed

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Salmsaa (السلماسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.640463, 40.292959. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS543

Incident date

August 9, 2022

Location

سيكركا, Sikirka, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.052436, 41.851494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians, including four children and women, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Sikirka east of Qamishli city on August 9, 2022.

Hawar News reported that Turkish bombings of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district resulted in the injury of seven civilians, four of whom are children. Hawar also documented the names of the six civilians that were injured in the village of Sikirka: Halabja Rashid 33 years old, Arin Abdel Aziz Al-Hassan 38 years old, children Muhammad Salah 12 years old, Miran Salah 10 years old, Ilan Salah 5 years old, and Baland Muhammad Shams El-Din 16 years old. The correspondent for Hawar confirmed that the injured were being treated at Al-Rahma Hospital in Qamishlo city.

A Facebook post by “Human rights in Jazeera” stated that the artillery shells launched at the village of Sikirka struck a home and resulted in the injury of women and children, without specifying how many. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that children were injured without providing a number.

Nor Mahmod posted on Facebook that three of the people injured were from the same family, and their home that was struck by the shelling is located “near the silos”. Kurdistan Rêbaza Barzaniyê Nemir added that the shelling caused an exodus of citizens from the area, displacing hundreds, due to the mortars and heavy machine guns.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkey. A Facebook post by “Kurdistan Rêbaza Barzaniyê Nemir” reported that an exchange of shelling took place between the SDF and the Turkish army, and specified that the shell that struck a home in the village of Sikirka and caused civilian casualties was launched by the army from inside Turkish territory.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Halabja Rashid 33 years old injured
  • Arin Abdel Aziz Al-Hassan 38 years old injured
  • Baland Muhammad Shams El-Din 16 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Qashlou August 9, 2022 The Turkish occupation army bombed the villages of Sikirka and Tel Ziwan in Qamishlo, and reports of injuries The Turkish occupation army bombed with artillery shells the villages of Sikarka and Tel Ziwan, east of Qamishlo city, amid preliminary reports of a direct hit to a house in Sikarka and injuries, including children and women. and injuring others.
  • Civilians injured by alleged Turkish shelling of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district (TS543 and TS544) on August 9, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage to a residential home east of Qamishli on August 9, 2022. (Image posted by Nor Mahmod via Facebook)
  • Damage to a residential home east of Qamishli on August 9, 2022. (Image posted by Nor Mahmod via Facebook)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Woman injured by alleged Turkish shelling of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district (TS543 and TS544) on August 9, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan Rêbaza Barzaniyê Nemir)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sikirka (سيكركا), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.052436,41.851494. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS544

Incident date

August 9, 2022

Location

عامودا, Amuda, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.09513, 40.93347 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of a village in Amuda sub-district east of Qamishli city on August 9, 2022.

Hawar News reported that Turkish bombings of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district resulted in the injury of seven civilians, four of whom are children. Hawar also documented the name of the civilian among the total that was injured in the Amuda sub-district: Rodi Sabri. The correspondent for Hawar added that the injured civilian was taken to the district hospital.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that Turkish forces bombed 24 villages and towns in the area, including villages in the district of Amuda. Local sources reported on civilian casualties in shelling on other villages shelled on the same day.

Kurdistan Rêbaza Barzaniyê Nemir added that the shelling caused an exodus of citizens from the area, displacing hundreds, due to the mortars and heavy machine guns.

Both Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Hawar News attribute shelling in Amuda to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Rodi Sabri 30 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civilians injured by alleged Turkish shelling of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district (TS543 and TS544) on August 9, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an unnamed village being struck, allegedly within the subdistrict of Amuda (عامودا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Amuda are: 37.09513, 40.93347.

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS545

Incident date

August 10, 2022

Location

قرية ملا سباط, Mulla Sibat village, Qamishli countryside, Al-Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.920833, 40.773611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed when a Turkish drone strike targeted a car in the village of Mulla Sibat in the countryside of Qamishli, Syria, on August 10th 2022. Between two and three militants were killed in the same strike.

A local source on Facebook, Qamishlo Republic, reported that Adeeb Nuri Hamsho from the village of Mulla Sibat headed towards the military vehicle that was bombed to try and rescue those in the car, when another shell hit him near the targeted vehicle, resulting in his death.

There were reports that two PKK/PYD militants were also killed in this attack, described by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as one leader and one member, while some sources said that three militants were killed.

South Front pointed out that the Syrian Arab Army (regime forces) maintain a post near the village of Mulla Sibat where a grain storage facility for the government is also located.

The SDF released a statement which stated that a “Turkish drone” hit the car at around 5pm on August 10th, killing two members and one civilian. The SDF statement reported that the militant names were Dijwar Kobane, a commander, and Bahour Radwan Anez, also known as Chey Kobane, in addition to pointing out that Dijwar had been involved in many battles against ISIS in different regions.

Anadolu Agency, the Turkish state-run news agency, reported that MIT (the National Intelligence Organization) acknowledged killing Muhsin Yağan, code-named “Dijvar Silopi”, the so-called Qamishli state director of the PKK/YPG, adding that he was the planner and implementer of many terrorists acts on the border line against security forces.

The incident occured at 17:00:00 local time.

  • Adeeb Nuri Hamsho Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Two SDF militants reportedly killed by Turkish strike on Qamalshi countryside on August 10th 2022 (Image via ANHA English)
  • Adeeb Nuri Hamsho, reportedly killed by a Turkish strike which targeted and killed two SDF members on August 10th 2022 (Image via Wamishlo Republic / Facebook)
  • Reported Turkish drone strike targeted SDF vehicle in Mulla Sibat, killing one civilian (Image via RIC Arabic)
  • Picture of the SDF vehicle that was targeted by a reported Turkish strike in Qamalshi countryside on August 10th 2022 (Image via Qamishlo)
  • A video documenting scenes of a Turkish march targeting a civilian car in the village of Mulla Sibat, south of Qamishlo, which resulted in casualties and injuries to civilians.
  • Muhsin Yağan, code-named "Dijvar Silopi", a member of the SDF killed by Turkish forces on August 10, 2022. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Muhsin Yağan, code-named "Dijvar Silopi", a member of the SDF killed by Turkish forces on August 10, 2022. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mulla Sibat (ملا سباط), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.920833, 40.773611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–3

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS547

Incident date

August 16, 2022

Location

زركان, Zarkan, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.846389, 40.326944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the Zarkan sub-district on August 16, 2022.

Hawar News Agency reported that in the Zarkan sub-district, 11 year old Tamim Faisal Hamad was wounded by Turkish shelling on the district’s center. There was no other information available about victims of the shelling.

North Press Agency cited a military source who said that three Turkish shells hit a village in Zarkan.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the district of Zarkan (زركان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.846389, 40.326944. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS548

Incident date

August 16, 2022

Location

بينه, Benna, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.465990, 36.993370 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A displaced child was injured in the village of Benna on August 16, 2022.

According to the correspondent for Hawar News Agency, a child displaced from the occupied village of Basel in Afrin was injured by Turkish shelling of the village of Benna in the Sherawa District. The child Ahmed Imad Ibish, 15 years old, sustained injuries to his head and feet.

Airwars did not find any additional information on this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Benna on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Benna (بينة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.465990, 36.993370. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS549

Incident date

August 16, 2022

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.6606, 40.3714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Tal Tamr and the vicinity on August 16, 2022.

Internal Security Forces in North and East Syria (Asayish) released a statement alleging that Turkish shelling of Tal Tamr and its vicinity resulted in the injury of three civilians to varying degrees. There were no other independent reports of civilian harm.

Khabour posted on Facebook that Turkish forces bombed PYD/PKK militia positions in the vicinity of Tal Tamr city without providing any details of casualties.

A Facebook post from Nûçeyên Miştenûr provided information that a North Press reporter quoted a military source as saying that the Turkish forces and the armed opposition factions loyal to him targeted the villages of “Al Taweelah, Al Kozliya, Tal al-Laban, Umm al-Khair, and al-Salmasa” in the countryside of Tal Tamer, north of Hasaka, with heavy artillery and mortars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Tamr (تل تمر) and its vicinity, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.6606, 40.3714. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military