Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

TS390

Incident date

November 10, 2019

Location

حي سيف الدولة, Sayf Al Dawla Neighbourhood, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.190833, 37.126944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child – a six-year-old girl, Norshan Atri – was reported killed in an alleged Turkey-backed militants’ artillery attack on Sêf El-Dewle, Al-Ezemiye and Al-Hemdaniye areas in Aleppo city, Syria on November 10th, 2019 according to local sources.

Multiple shells reportedly hit civilian homes. The little girl was killed when one of the shells hit her house.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Norshan Atri
6 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sayf Al Dawla (حي سيف الدولة), in western Aleppo (حلب) city, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.190833, 37.126944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sayf Al Dawla (حي سيف الدولة), in western Aleppo (حلب) city.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS408

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Location

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.437500, 36.968333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that Turkish forces targeted villages in Afrin including Aqiba village during the night, leading to the death of one elderly civilian, an the injury of other civilians including his daughter, on February 3rd, 2020.

NPA Syria reported that “a Syrian civilian was killed and a woman was injured due to the Turkish forces shelling on the village of Aqiba in Sherawa district, south of the Syrian-Kurdish region of Afrin.”, and that “67-year-old Ali Malla lost his life, and his daughter Zainab was wounded after their house was targeted by the Turkish military and its affiliated armed opposition groups’ bombardment on February 3rd, 2020.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

67 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin, Syria on February 3rd, 2020 (via Raperinagel9).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish shelling on villages in Afrin, Syria on February 3rd, 2020 (via NPASyria).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ali Malla, 67, was reported killed by alleged Turkish shelling on Aqiba village in Afrin, Syria on February 3rd, 2020 (via Rojavanetwork).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Aqiba (عقيبة) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.437500, 36.968333. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS441

Incident date

July 16, 2020

Location

الدرباسية, Ad Darbasiyah, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.063375, 40.655364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were allegedly injured by a Turkish drone or mortar strike on Ad Darbasiyah.

Woofers tweeted: “Casualties reported (all injuries) are two Russian soldiers, a Syrian soldier, and a local civilian.

It would seem that the local civilian casualty may not exist and may be the Syrian soldier who may have been out of uniform.

No one I’ve spoken to has seen the reported UAV. I don’t know if it really was an airstrike. But everyone is reporting it as one.”

Rudaw reported: “At least one Russian soldier was injured in a drone attack in Darbasiyah town in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Thursday, according to Kurdish security forces (Asayesh) who blamed Turkey for the incident in which civilians were also hurt.

‘Turkish planes targeted a Russian forces point in the vicinity of Darbasiyah,’ read a statement from the Asayesh. ‘A drone, which belongs to the invading army, targeted a Russian forces military point on Thursday.’

‘A Russian soldier and three civilians were injured,’ stated the Asayesh, describing the site that was hit as a ‘strategic coordination point one kilometre south of Darbasiyah town on the road to Hasakah city.”

Other sources did not report civilian harm and said that at least two Russian soldiers and possibly one Syrian regime soldier were injured.

Nina described the attack as a “kamikaze drone strike” on Twitter.

Zafer Kabaoglu said three Russian soldiers and two YPG members were injured.

Rob Leee pointed out that the pictures of the munition used rather looks like a mortar round than Turkish drone missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2–5

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Soldier allegedly injured by Turkish drone on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via ZOKA)
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via ZOKA)
  • Soldier allegedly injured by Turkish drone on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via ZOKA)
  • Soldier allegedly injured by Turkish drone on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via ZOKA)
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via SOHR)
  • Munition used in alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via SOHR)
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via SOHR)
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via SOHR)
  • Munition used in alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via SOHR)
  • Munition used in alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via ZOKA)
  • Munition used in alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via ZOKA)
  • Munition used in alleged Turkish drone attack on Ad Darsabiyah on July 16th, 2020 (via ZOKA)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a Russia military checkpoint or area approximately 1km outside from Al Darbasiyah (الدرباسية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. A possible location for this strike, that matches the type of building within the audio-visual material, is at these coordinates: 37.063375, 40.655364.

  • Reports of the incident mention a Russia military checkpoint or area approximately 1km outside from Al Darbasiyah (الدرباسية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • A possible location for this strike, that matches the type of building within the audio-visual material.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    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
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2–5

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS470

Incident date

July 20, 2021

Location

نبل, Nubl, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.378175, 36.995201 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a woman, was killed and one to three other civilians, including children, were injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the town of Nubl on July 20, 2021.

NPA Syria reported “A woman lost her life and a child was injured, on Tuesday, in the bombing of the Turkish-backed factions on the Shiite towns of Nubl and Zahraa, north of Aleppo, in northern Syria. Local sources in the two towns said that Amina Abbas El-Fil, 35, lost her life, and a six-year-old girl was injured. She added that the bombing came from the positions of the Turkish forces and their loyal factions in the Brad area of ​​Afrin countryside.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified “the death of a female citizen succumbed to her injuries as a result of rocket shelling by the factions targeting the town of Nubl” and that the shells caused “casualties among civilians, in addition to causing material damage to the properties of the people”.

A tweet from put the number of injured at “3 civilians” and identified “3 missiles” striking Nubl.

Hawar News added that the shelling occurred at 18:00 and involved ” tens of shells and missiles fired by the Turkish occupation forces and its mercenaries stationed in the occupied city of Afrin”. They also originally reported “deaths and injuries among civilians in the two towns, without knowing the number” and then later identified the killing of a woman, 30 years old, ” in addition to the injury of a child and a girl seriously injured, they were taken to Aleppo city hospitals for treatment.”

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey.

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

The victims were named as:

35 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling on the village of Nubl on July 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Nubl (نبل ) and its surroundings, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.378175, 36.995201. 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 woman)
  • 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

TS501

Incident date

April 18, 2022

Location

خضراوي, Khadrawi village, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.918755, 40.346459 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One young girl was injured in alleged Turkish artillery shelling of the village of Khadrawi on April 18, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a little girl was injured by Turkish artillery shelling of her family’s house in Khadrawi village. SOHR added that “Turkish intensive shelling on the countryside of Tel Tamr and Abu Rasin has continued since the early morning hours of Monday, causing material damage to civilian houses” and causing a “massive exodus of civilians from the area”.

Hawar News also reported that Turkish forces bombed Khadrawi village. However, they did not mention any civilian casualties. Qamishli Media Center also identified a “minor girl” as having been injured in the artillery shelling from Turkish forces.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkey.

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
    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 (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Khadrawi village on April 18, 2022. (Image posted by BasNews)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khadrawi (خضراوي), the generic coordinates for which are: 36.918755, 40.346459. 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

TS533

Incident date

July 25, 2022

Location

تل زيوان, Tal Ziwan, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.058585, 41.355114 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On July 25th 2022, an alleged Turkish shelling left civilians wounded in Tal Ziwan village, northeast of Al Qamishli, in Al Hassakah, Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that an officer in the Syrian regime forces was injured in this bombardment, carried out by Turkish forces stationed at the border outposts in this area, and that the injury was among “the presence of wounded civilians”. No sources indicated the number of civilians who were injured in this attack.

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
    2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Ziwan (تل زيوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.058585, 41.355114. 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
    2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS483b

Incident date

January 8, 2022

Location

Koltepe village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes or drone strikes on Koltepe village and the surrounding villages on January 8, 2022.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in total one civilian was killed and 12 other civilians, including women and children, were wounded in incidents across Kobani. The injuries varied in severity and were taken to Kobani hospital for treatment.

Hawar News reported the name of the civilian injured in Koltepe village: Jihan Mulla Osman Saleh (25 years old), Koltepe village.

The villages that were affected by the Turkish bombing were the villages of Tal Hajib, Qarmog, Goran, Khani, Sarzuri and Koltepe, located east of Kobani on the border with Turkey.

The General Council of the Democratic Union Party issued a written statement: “In a new test for the international community and the United Nations, the Turkish regime violated international principles and laws and targeted civilians in the center of Kobani city this morning, Saturday, with (drones) and heavy weapons, and its indiscriminate bombing resulted in martyrs and wounded civilians and extensive damage to their property.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Jihan Mulla Osman Saleh
25 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The villages of Qere Mox, Khani, Tel Hajjab and Alishar in eastern Kobani canton on the border with Turkey were being bombed on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • The villages of Qere Mox, Khani, Tel Hajjab and Alishar in eastern Kobani canton on the border with Turkey were being bombed on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • The villages of Qere Mox, Khani, Tel Hajjab and Alishar in eastern Kobani canton on the border with Turkey were being bombed on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage from alleged Turkish shelling on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Kassioun)
  • Damage from alleged Turkish shelling on January 8, 2022. (Image posted by Kassioun)

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
    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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS592

Incident date

May 3, 2023

Location

بحيره, Bahira, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.108679, 40.862353 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 49 year old man was allegedly shot and injured by Turkish border guards in the village of Bahira on May 3, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a civilian was wounded by live bullets fired by the Turkish army. A relative of the injured civilian told a Hawar reporter that live bullets fired between 14:00 and 14:30 injured Abdelaziz Darbo, 49, in the village of Bahira. The bullet struck Abdelaziz in the back while he was watering his agricultural land, which was reported as not located along the Turkish border. He was taken to the People’s Hospital (Al-Shaab Hospital) in Amuda district. Hawar reported that at the time of publishing, Abdelaziz had been released from the hospital and was in stable condition. Xeber24 and ANF reported similar details.

The three sources that reported on the incident attributed the shooting to border guards.

The incident occured between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdelaziz Darbo
49 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 Bahira (بحيره), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.108679, 40.862353. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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]