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

TS090

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Location

تل رفعت, Tal Ref’at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.473056, 37.094444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and four more were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of the town of Tal Ref’at, according to local media – though one report also said that the Syrian Free Army also targeted Kurdish units in the town.

Rumaf named Alia Omar Sheikh and Othman Zakaria Mustafa as killed. However, a later report by Rumaf said that Othman Zakaria Mustafa was a member of “the Asayish forces”, the Kurdish security forces. It published images showing the funeral procession.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Turkish forces shelled areas in Tal Rifat town in the northern countryside of Aleppo, which is controlled by the Syria Democratic Forces. This resulted in the injury of four people”.

SDF press also pointed towards Turkey, reporting that “the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries stationed in the towns of Mara and Kalgberin shelled the Tel Rifaat area with shells and heavy weapons. The shelling resulted in injuries among civilians, who were taken to a hospital.”

However, Ahmad al Farouh, pro-revolution activist from Mare’e, Aleppo, said that the Syrian Free Army targeted Kurdish units in the town with “artillery and mortars” – but made no mention of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alia Omar Sheikh
Adult female killed
Othman Zakaria Mustafa
Adult male combatant killed
Depo Mohammed Champion
Age unknown injured
Abdul Basit Ali Sakran
Age unknown injured
Abdo Sukran
Age unknown injured
Mohammed Hassan Dibo
Age unknown injured
Mahmoud Hassan Dibo
Age unknown injured
Ghazi Rahal (refugee in the city of Tel Rifaat)
Age unknown injured
Louay Aboush (refugee)
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • An injured man recives medical treatment following an alleged Turkish or FSA airstrike. (via SDF)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Turkish or FSA airstrike. (via SDF)
  • Funeral procession of the victim. (via Rumaf)
  • Funeral procession of the victim. (via Rumaf)
  • Funeral procession of the victim. (via Rumaf)
  • Funeral procession of the victim. (via Rumaf)
  • Funeral procession of the victim. (via Rumaf)
  • Funeral procession of the victim. (via Rumaf)
  • Funeral procession of the victim. (via Rumaf)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tal Ref’at ( تل رفعت), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.473056, 37.094444. 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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI007

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

قنديل, افشين, الزاب, Zakho district, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.146111, 42.673611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local Kurdish media said that four civilians were injured by alleged Turkish artillery shelling in Zakho at the Iraqi-Turkish border.

Asda News reported that “the shelling led to the injury of four civilians, who were taken to the hospital for treatment, noting that the health of the four injured people is stable.”

Rudaw added that “the injured have since been discharged from hospital,” Rudaw’s Yousif Musa reported.

The shelling happened at 6:00 Friday evening in the Psaxa area, Batifa sub-district.

The four young people, two of them professional players of the Zakho football club, went out on a picnic on Friday. They were in the same area where militants of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are also present.

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

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the district of Zakho district ( قنديل, افشين, الزاب), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.146111, 42.673611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

TS088

Incident date

July 10, 2017

Location

أحرص , Ihress, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.484167, 36.398889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Rumaf, “a whole family was seriously injured by the indiscriminate Turkish shelling of the residents of Ihress village. They were also transferred to the hospital.”

YPG Press reported: “The Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries also attacked the liberated villages in al-Shahba areas. Names of the villages are Tal Rifat, Harbal, Sheikh Issa, Ahras, Tal Madiq, Om Housh, Om al-Qura, al-Shahabiyah, Ayn Daqneh, Minag and Kafrantone. Here the occupiers used shells, missiles and heavy weapons on civilians’ houses on Monday [July 10th]. The assault resulted in killing 2 civilians and wounding other 8 civilians. among them children.” The source published an image of a boy who was missing one leg – though he was not named and it’s unclear in which location he was wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Musa Hassan
Adult male injured
his wife Jihan Kusa
Adult female injured
daughter
10 years old female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ihress (أحرص ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.484167, 36.398889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS089

Incident date

July 10, 2017

Location

تل رفعت كفر ناصح, The area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, northern Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4478682, 37.1035767 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported the death of between two and four civilians and injury of as many as dozens more in an alleged Turkish artillery bombardment in area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, Syria.

According to Rumaf, “four people from one family died and dozens more were injured in the area between Tel Rifaat and Kafr Naaseh due to the violent aggression by the Turkish occupation based in the city of Izzaz and Mara. The shelling has not stopped since yesterday in the middle of the night until now [July 10th].”

A further report by Rumaf included the image of a boy whose leg had been amputated. The source said: “The child (Omar Abdo Sakran) lost his leg as a result of the indiscriminate bombardment byTurkey. At the same time, he lost his father Abdo Sakran and other members of his family were injured. What is very sad is that the child Omar saw his father’s body without his head and didn’t recognise him as his father.”

According to Rok Online, “two civilians were killed and five others wounded on Monday [July 10th] in an artillery bombardment by the Turkish army and the factions of the Euphrates Shield on the Al-Shahba area in the northern countryside of Aleppo. Artillery shelling occurred in Tal Refa’at, Sheikh Issa, Kafr al-Nasab and Harbal in the north of Aleppo. The correspondent added that the injured civilians were taken to the hospital Afrin in the city of Afrin, which coincided with an escalation in shelling of the areas mentioned.”

Sputnik reported that Turkey were using “heavy artillery and rocket-propelled grenades…causing the destruction of a large number of residential buildings and the burning of agricultural crops and land in Tal Refa’at, Shaikh Issa, Harbel, and al shahba dam.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdo Sukran Ibn Omar
Adult male killed
Mohammed Issa Ibn Dibu
Adult male killed
Abu Ghraib Al Sukran
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Al-Sukran
Age unknown male injured
Son of Abdo al-Sukran
10 years old male injured
Ali Badran
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

  • The child (Omar Abdo Sakran) lost his leg in an alleged Turkish shelling on he area between Tel Rifaat and Kafr Naaseh, July 10th 2017. (via Rumaf)
  • The exact moment an allged Turkish airstrike targeted the area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, 10th July 2017. (via RuMaf facebook)
  • The exact moment an allged Turkish airstrike targeted the area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, 10th July 2017. (via RuMaf facebook)
  • The exact moment an allged Turkish airstrike targeted the area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, 10th July 2017. (via RuMaf facebook)
  • A man injured in an allged Turkish airstrike targeted the area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, 10th July 2017. (via RuMaf facebook)
  • A man injured in an allged Turkish airstrike targeted the area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, 10th July 2017. (via RuMaf facebook)
  • Civilians injured in an allged Turkish airstrike targeted the area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, 10th July 2017. (via RuMaf facebook)
  • A man injured in an allged Turkish airstrike targeted the area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, 10th July 2017. (via RuMaf facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of The area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh (تل رفعت كفر ناصح), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.4478682, 37.1035767. 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 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • 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

TS086

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Location

كفرعنطون, Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, Afrin, Syria

Geolocation

36.506389, 37.039444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from the al-Yousef family (a mother and her two children) died, and another two civilains, and up to ten more non-combatants were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery bombardment of Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, Afrin, according to local media.

Welat FM, citing Afrin hospital, named the fatalities.

All other sources blamed Turkey for the civilian harm. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on July 4th: “Turkey begins its war against Syrian Kurds by killing citizens of an Arab family in the northern countryside of Aleppo. A woman and two of her children died and eight others were wounded.”

Defend Afrin put the death toll at four civilians with 10 more wounded.

Aylina Kilic published testimony from 40-year-old Sabah Isa, who was reportedly wounded in the Turkish shelling. She said: “Was it a mortar or shell, I don’t know…They fired it and I was on the balcony. I told the children to come inside. They were firing at the garden and surroundings””.

A report by Sputnik quoted Rezan Hedo, a member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council, who said: “Turkish artillery has shelled the villages of Kastel Cindo, Maryamayn, Jalbul and Shagura on the outskirts of Afrin. Two children and a woman died following the shelling in the village of Kafr Antun”.

Ali Ozkok added that 13 YPG fighters were also killed.

Multiple sources published images of casualties – including children – being treated in a medical facility. Graphic footage by Aylina Kilic appeared to show dead civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Ghazaleh al-Yousef
40 years old female killed
Muawiya al-Yousef
13 years old male killed
Tabarak al-Yousef
10 years old male killed
Khansa al-Yousef
13 years old female injured
Randa al-Yousef
23 years old female injured
Fida Yousef
19 years old female injured
Ayya al-Yusuf
16 years old female injured

The victims were named as:

Sabah Isa
40 years old female injured
Ayah, the daughter of Fida Hikmat Yousef
12 years old female killed
Amira Yousef
12 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing casualties and injured civilians following an alleged Turkish shelling of Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, July 3rd. (via AylinaKilic)
  • Map tweeted showing the location of the alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • Fires in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • Fires in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • Fires in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • Fires in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • The exact moment an alleged Turkish airstrike hit Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Ali Ozkok)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Pyd rojava)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video interviewsing injued civilians in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Hevallo)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Compilation of images documenting the alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Pyd rojava)
  • Footage showing civilians homes which were destroyed in the alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Erica)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video of the aftermath of the alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Erica)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Either injured or deceased civilians in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • An injured child recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via SOHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Either an injured or deceased civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Aylina Kilic)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Either an injured or deceased civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Aylina Kilic)
  • An injured woman recives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Aylina Kilic)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Either an injured or deceased civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike which targeted Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, 3rd July 2017. (via Al itihad press)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction in Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, following an alleged Turkish airstrike. 3rd July 2017. NOTE it is not clear whether these images of rubble are fromt his specific incident or not, however the report they come from refers to this incident. (via Manbij.org)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kafar Anton village, Shahaba (كفرعنطون), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.506389, 37.039444. 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
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS087

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Location

Jelber village, [or Cilbir] Shirawa district, Afrin, Syria

Geolocation

36.484167, 36.968889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including an elderly woman were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery attack on Jelber village, Afrin, according to local media.

Aksalser cited Kurdish Activists and reported that “a woman from the village of Gelber in the countryside of Afrin was injured by the Turkish artillery”

Azadiy Kurdistan said that “according to medical sources, four civilians were wounded in the village of Jalbar as a result of the shelling of the village by the Turkish army and the militias backed by them.”

According to Welat FM “the hospital administration confirmed that they also received four injured civilians from the village of Gelber in the area of ​​Shirawa as a result of targeting the village more than 20 shells.”

Rok Online said that those injured included an elderly woman.

Aylina Kilic provided some further details, reporting: ‘Sabah Isa (40) who was wounded in the shelling of Turkish-backed groups on the #Afrin village said: “Was it a mortar or shell, I don’t know”.
“She continued: ‘They fired it and I was in the balcony. I told the children to come inside. They were firing at the garden and surroundings’.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

40 years old female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • 'Update: 4 civilians have been wounded in yesterday's shelling on villages in Canton #Afrin by Turkey-backed jihadist groups (ANHA) #Rojava'
  • A woman allegedly injured in the attack
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Turkish strikes on either the village of Jelber of Kafronton, it was unclear which. (via Manbij.org)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jelber village, [or Cilbir] Shirawa district, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.484167, 36.968889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS085

Incident date

June 22, 2017

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of al Rawiya village, Ras al Ain (رأس العين ﺍﻟﺮﺍﻭﻳﺔ ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.729444, 39.818611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS084

Incident date

April 25, 2017

Location

المالكية, Several locations in al Malkiya, northern Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.176729, 42.135643 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians werereportedly wounded in alleged Turkish strikes on Kurdish militias on Several locations in al Malkiya, according to a single source.

Reports said that between 20 and Kurdish forces were killed with up to 18 wounded; however, there were also some vague references to civilian harm – though it appears that most credible claims are of military casualties aside from two civilians injured, according to a report by AFP.

Mohammad al Khateeb [a Syrian journalist from Aleppo Medic centre] reported that “20 Kurdish security forces killed and 18 wounded by Turkish raids on Mount Karachuk in rural Hasaka” – according to a statement issued by the PKK.

Sherzad Omar published a Turkish army video of the raids on Mount Shangal and Mount Karajukh [kratchuk].

According to Euphrates Post: “The bombing resulted in the destruction of the headquarters of the Kurdish People Protection Units, in addition to the destruction of the Petra communication station and tower on Mount Karachuk and the radio tower and the destruction of the radio station ‘Voice Rojava’ belonging to the YPG units”.

Sharqiya Voice reported that “more than 70 Kurdish militia members were killed and more than 10 critical cases were transferred to al-Qamishli hospitals as a result of the Turkish air strikes on Mount Karkuk and a number of military points in the Maalik countryside and Mount Sinjar. No civilian casualties were reported.”

The spokesman for the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, Redor Khalil, told Akhbar al yaom that “the shelling also caused significant damage to the site and damage to civilian property near the target area”.

Rai al youm [quoting AFP] added that “there were 20 martyrs and 18 wounded from Kurdish units, three of them in critical condition. Additionally, two civilians were wounded, according to the official spokesman of the units, Redor Khalil”.

Ennabbaladi added that five members of the Peshmerga were killed “by mistake during the bombing”.

Rudaw published images showing “US military commanders visiting Mount Kratchuk in Direk in the Kurdistan region of Syria after it was hit by a Turkish bomb on Tuesday [April 25th].”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • 'US military commanders visit Mount Kratchuk in Direk in the Kurdistan region of Syria after being hit by a Turkish bomb on Tuesday [April 25th]'. (via Rudaw)
  • Northern Hassaka - al Malkiya - in Kratchouk mountain after Turkish air force targeted YPG - photos showing the extent of the destruction caused to the positions of the separatist militias. The attack caused the total destruction of the building and around 20 dead and dozens injured -all members of the militia. (via EuphratesPost)
  • Turkish Army video f the raids on Mount Shangal and Mount Karajukh [kratchuk]. (via Sherzad Omar)
  • US aircrafts arrive at (Karachuk) mount after the latter was shelled by Turkish warplanes and the spokesman of YPG forces holds a press conference at the shelled site. (via Welat FM facebook)
  • Translation: northern hassaka countryside - a delegation from the international coalition accompanied by leaders from the kurdish militia units inspect the positions that were targeted by the Turkish air force. (via Euphrates Post facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Several locations in al Malkiya (المالكية), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.176729, 42.135643. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]