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

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

Incident Code

TS550

Incident date

August 19, 2022

Location

شيموك, Shamouka, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.583348, 40.568733 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five girls were killed and at least 11 others, mostly children, were injured when an alleged Turkish drone struck an educational facility in Shimoke village on August 19, 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that four girls under the age of 18 were killed and 11 others were injured in Turkish drone strikes that hit a center called the “Girls Center” that is 45 kilometers from the Syria-Turkey border. SOHR noted that the center is for girls who had been recruited by “Al-Shabiba Al-Thawriyah” (the Revolutionary Youth) and were being rehabilitated and returned back to their families by the SDF. A female commander of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) was visiting the center at the time of the strike.

Hawar News Agency provided the names of the four girls killed: Rania Atta, Zozan Zeidan, Dylan Ezz El Din, and Diana Alo. Jerusalem Post reported that the girls were born between 2002 and 2004 and quoted North Press who noted that “eyewitnesses reported at the time that ambulances transported many of the injured to hospitals in al-Hasakah.”

On September 5th, Hawar News reported that the child Slava Ramadan died from the wounds she sustained during the attack on the educational center.

The Mirror spoke with two of the girls that were at the school when the drone struck. “Renda Bakr, 17, and Novin Ezzat, 18 heard the buzz of the unmanned craft but, after that, it was all a blur of screams and blood…The first sound of trouble was the whirring of a reconnaissance drone, prowling the sky and poised to rain hell on innocent civilians. “There was so much fear, witnessing our friends being covered in blood, being burned, calling for their mums and suffering in pain. It was awful,” said Ms Bakr. “I don’t even have time to think or process what was going on, I was too scared to even comprehend what was going on.” Ms Bakr and Ms Ezzat loved school and loved their friends, but now living there is tarnished by the memories of the attack. Their injuries were much less worse than others, so they bundled people into makeshift ambulances and went to the hospital….”We heard a drone and suddenly it attacked us. There was blood all over the place and we kept hearing explosives and piercing screams”, says Ms Ezzat, who now has shrapnel stuck in her leg.”

@PopularFront_ tweeted that the girls that were killed were reportedly playing volleyball in the center’s courtyard when the drone struck. A tweet from @Awayen1 put the number of people injured at 17.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria released a statement condemning the attack that resulted in the death of four children and the injury of 11 girls, in addition to pointing our that the “girls learning center” is sponsored by the United Nations.

The Mirror reported that “the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Mr Imran Riza, the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Mr Muhannad Hadi and the UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Ms Adele Khodr expressed their “deep concern” on Saturday about the continuing escalation of hostilities in northern Syria.”

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Commander Maj. Gen. John Brennan released a statement that “On the evening of Aug. 18, an armed unmanned aerial system struck a group of teenaged girls playing volleyball who were active in a United Nations educational outreach program in Hasakah. Initial reports indicate that the strike killed four and wounded several others. On behalf of CJTF-OIR, I condemn this attack and any others that kill and injure civilians.” The statement also went on to call for “immediate de-escalation from all parties and an end to activities that put at risk the significant battlefield gains the Coalition has made against ISIS.” A security source told North Press that a patrol of the Coalition was conducted in the spot of the attack earlier.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Rania Atta رانيا عطا
Child female killed
Zozan Zeidan وزوزان زيدان
Child female killed
Dylan Ezz El Din وديلان عز الدين
Child female killed
Diana Alo وديانا علو
Child female killed
Renda Bakr
17 years old female injured
Novin Ezzat
18 years old female injured
Slava Ramadan سلافا رمضان
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–17
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • Image of the four girls killed in alleged Turkish strikes on an education center in Hassakah on August 19, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)
  • Image of the four girls killed in alleged Turkish strikes on an education center in Hassakah on August 19, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw)
  • Residents of Manbij attend the funeral of the girls killed by a drone (Image posted by The Mirror)
  • Zozan Zedan laid to rest in her hometown Manbij (Image posted by The Mirror)
  • Ranya Eta, Dilan Ezedin, Zozan Zedan and Diyana Elo died and the clinic is still caring for 11 injured students (Image posted by The Mirror)
  • Funeral for the four girls who were killed by a drone strike in Hassakah (Image posted by @PopularFront_)
  • Funeral for the four girls who were killed by a drone strike in Hassakah (Image posted by @PopularFront_)
  • Funeral for the four girls who were killed by a drone strike in Hassakah (Image posted by @PopularFront_)
  • Funeral for the four girls who were killed by a drone strike in Hassakah (Image posted by @PopularFront_)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Shamouka (شيموك), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.583348, 40.568733. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–17
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS551

Incident date

August 19, 2022

Location

النيربية, Al Nayribiyah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.374059, 37.377273 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly woman was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Al Nayribiyah village on August 19, 2022.

Hawar News Agency reported that a woman and a child were injured as a result of Turkish forces bombing the villages of the countryside of Al-Shahba canton, including the villages of Karamel, Hassin, Ain Deqina and Baylouniyah, in addition to the center of Tel Rifaat district in al-Shahba canton. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the elderly woman in her 70s was injured in Al-Nayribiyah village. However, Lîlav Alî posted on Facebook that the woman injured, Khadija Shammo, is 55 years old.

According to Hawar News Agency, both victims of shelling in Al-Shahba (TS551 and TS552) were transferred to Afrin Hospital in the district of Favin for treatment.

.All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the attack to Turkey, with most referring to the bombing as being shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khadija Shammo
70 years old female 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Elderly woman injured by alleged Turkish strikes on al-Shahba canton on August 19, 2022. (Image posted byLîlav Alî via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Nayribiyah (), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.374059, 37.377273. 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
    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

TS552

Incident date

August 19, 2022

Location

غرناطه, Gharnata, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.363111, 37.237751 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 13 year old girl was killed in alleged Turkish shelling of Gharnata village on August 19, 2022.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the young girl under the age of 18 was injured in Gharnata village and later reported that the girl had died the next day of her injuries. A Facebook post by Lîlav Alî provided her name: Amira Hussein Khalaf, 13 years old.

Hawar News Agency reported that a woman and a child were injured as a result of Turkish forces bombing the villages of the countryside of Al-Shahba canton, including the villages of Karamel, Hassin, Ain Deqina and Baylouniyah, in addition to the center of Tel Rifaat district in al-Shahba canton.

According to Hawar News Agency, both victims of shelling in Al-Shahba (TS551 and TS552) were transferred to Afrin Hospital in the district of Favin for treatment.

.All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the attack to Turkey, with most referring to the bombing as being shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amira Hussein Khalaf أميرة حسين خلف
13 years old female killed

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Child injured by alleged Turkish strikes on al-Shahba canton on August 19, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Gharnata (غرناطه), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.363111, 37.237751. 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS553

Incident date

August 24, 2022

Location

تل رفعت, city centre of Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were killed and between five to nine others were injured when a Turkish drone was reported to target a market in the city centre of Tal Rifaat in the countryside of Aleppo, on August 24th 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the market was targeted in Tal Rifaat city, close to where the Syrian regime’s military security headquarters are located.

Most reports indicated that the initial death toll was two, which then rose to three.  Two days later, on August 26th 2022, it was reported by two sources, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and ANHA English that the fourth civilian died from wounds sustained in this drone striike.

News outlet, ANHA English, reported that one civilian who was allegedly killed in this attack was named Rashin Aliko and Anf also reported that another civilian killed was Fatime Osman Mamo, aged 22.  She was also referenced as “injured” by various news sources, indicating that she could have died as a result of her injuries. A local source also referred to another “martyr” as “Hamza.” In a post they published, “Hamza, where did you go, my soul… not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today is your wedding…this is your wedding that you are martyred.”

ANHA English identified among the injured:

Hussein Murad Garouki, aged 13
Manan Rashid Hussein, aged 57
Akid Fakhri Sheikho, aged 32
Samir Abdel Qader Rasho, aged 31
Zuhair Abdul Rahman Muhammad, aged 36. Muhammad was later confirmed dead by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and ANHA English.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rashin Aliko
Age unknown male killed
Fatime Osman Mamo
22 years old male killed
Hussein Murad Garouki
13 years old male injured
Manan Rashid Hussein
57 years old male injured
Akid Fakhri Sheikho
32 years old male injured
Samir Abdel Qader Rasho
31 years old male
Zuhair Abdul Rahman Muhammad
36 years old
Hamza
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–9
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Image of aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrike on Tal Rifaat on August 24th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • North Press Agency reported that two civilians were killed and seven others injured when an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022
  • The aftermath of the alleged Turkish drone strike on Tel Rifaat on August 24th 2022 (Image via Anf)
  • "Hamza, where did you go, my soul... not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today this is your wedding... this is your wedding that you are martyred." A message for "Hamza" allegedly killed in a reported Turkish strike on August 24th 202 (Image via دليل آخين / Facebook)
  • "Hamza, where did you go, my soul... not yesterday, you spoke with me, and today this is your wedding... this is your wedding that you are martyred." A message for "Hamza" allegedly killed in a reported Turkish strike on August 24th 202 (Image via دليل آخين / Facebook)
  • Bissan Fm reported from the site where an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Tel Rifaat, killing two to three civilians.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city center of Tel Rifaat (تل رفعت), for which the generic coordinates are; 36.472576, 37.096272. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–9
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI087

Incident date

August 29, 2022

Location

مخيم مخمور, Makhmour camp, Erbil, Iraq

Geolocation

35.755637, 43.603063 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and up to four others were injured, including women and children, when a Turkish airplane or drone launched strikes on a home in Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. Some local sources indicate that a member of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was also killed in the incident.

Hawar News reported that a citizen was killed when Turkish forces bombed his house in Makhmour camp. Hawar quoted Roj News Agency who reported that Afzat Abdullah, a father of six children, died after he was injured by a Turkish drone attack on his home in the afternoon. Rudaw News provided similar details of one casualty in addition to material damages.

BasNews reported that four people were injured by the Turkish drone strike on the camp, adding that the camp is controlled by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). A Facebook post by Bakuk Judy indicated that women and children were among the wounded.

A source told Shafaq News Agency that “according to preliminary information, the house was in which members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party were present, and that the bombing caused injuries” but did not specify whether those injured were members of the PKK.

Darka Mazi also reported that the strike hit “the house of a leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Makhmour camp, called “Abu Zaid,” which resulted in his death”. According to a local source, “the site that was targeted is known as the fourth district” and that “these organizations held official funeral ceremonies for this person, as his coffin was decorated with pictures of the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and the flags of the PKK and its KGK organization.” It is unclear if “Abu Zaid” is the same person as the alleged civilian Afzat Abdullah who was killed.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strike to a Turkish plane or drone.

The incident occured at 12:40:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Afzat Abdullah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Strikes on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Strikes on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • Makhmour camp, a number of wounded people, including children and women, were bombed by Turkish planes
  • Remnants of the strike on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Shafaq News)
  • Remnants of the strike on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Shafaq News)
  • Men inspect the site of strike on Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by Shafaq News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a house in the Makhmour refugee camp (مخيم مخمور), the generic coordinates for which are: 35.755637, 43.603063. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS554

Incident date

September 18, 2022

Location

قرية قرموغ, village of Qara Mogh, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.829774, 38.550523 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured by alleged Turkish artillery and mortar shelling of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022.

According to Hawar News, a young man was injured by Turkish bombardment of artillery shells and mortars on the village of Qara Mogh. The injured victim is named Khalil Badr, 18 years old, and he was taken to a hospital in Kobani.

Kobani News reported that “civilians” were injured and that in addition to Khalil, others whose identities were not known were injured. Residents told Kobani News that the bombardment started at seven o’clock in the morning.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Badr خليل بدر
18 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • 18-year-old Khalil Badr who was injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022. (Image posted by Kobani News)
  • Alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qara Mogh (قرية قرموغ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.829774, 38.550523. 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
    1–3
  • 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

TS555

Incident date

September 20, 2022

Location

قرية السويدية, village of Al-Suwaydia, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.771944, 39.636111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 2 people were killed and up to three others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Al-Suwaydia on September 20, 2022. Sources are conflicted as to whether the civilians killed were digging tunnels for the SDF or were in their homes.

According to Hawar News, two civilians were killed and three others were injured when a Turkish drone bombed the village of Al-Suwaydia in the Ain Issa Countryside. The civilians killed are named Khaled Hanifa and Bashar Barakat and the civilians injured are named Sabri Seido / 20 years old, Aziz Zaidan / 32 years old and Rashid Zeidan, 42 years old. In addition to the civilian casualties, there was significant material damage to civilian homes and properties.

Ain Issa Media Center also identified two civilians as being killed but put the number of injuries at two. BasNews added that one of the injured victims, Rashid, was seriously injured.

BasNews reported that the five people killed and injured were working with the Syrian Democratic Forces digging tunnels. However, the majority of other sources refer to those killed and injured as civilians and place them in their homes when the drone strikes occurred.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the drones to Turkish forces, and BasNews added that the escalation between the SDF and the Turkish army resulted in the displacement of people from their villages.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Hanifa خالد حنيفة
Age unknown killed
Bashar Barakat بشّار بركات
Age unknown killed
Sabri Seido صبري سيدو
20 years old injured
Aziz Zaidan عزيز زيدان
32 years old injured
Rashid Zeidan رشيد زيدان
42 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • 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
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Al-Suwaydia on September 20, 2022. (Image posted by ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Suwaydia (السويدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.771944, 39.636111. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • 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
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (6) [ collapse]