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

TS234

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

ميركان, Mirkan village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.537500, 36.713889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between one and three civilians died and three more were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Mirkan village, Syria.

Multiple sources named Juan Mohammed Omar as killed.

Sources added that three other civilians were wounded. Rumaf named one of these as Fahima Ahmed, 39, who sustained an injury “with shrapnel in the left foot”.

Villages told Afrin, heart of the news, that “six shells fell on the village and its surroundings”.

According to Abdinx1x, one of two civilians wounded was a woman with special needs.

One source, Karam Youssef , said that three civilians died.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Juan Mohammed Omar
Adult male killed
Fahima Ahmed
39 years old female who sustained an injury “with shrapnel in the left foot injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Translation: A state of fear dominates the village of Mirkan in Afrin after the village was targeted by Turkish artillery and a civilian was killed and 2 others were wounded, one of them a woman with special needs.
  • Translation: The martyrdom of the civilian "Joan Mohammed Omar" as a result of the Turkish bombing today on the village of Merkan (Condi Hasa) belonging to the area of Maabtli in Afrin. Three civilians were wounded.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mirkan village, Afrin, 28th February 2018. (via Afrin Now)
  • Civilian injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mirkan village, Afrin, 28th February 2018. (via Afrin Now)
  • The exact moment an alleged Turkish airstrike targeted Mirkan village, Afrin, 28th February 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Civilian injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mirkan village, Afrin, 28th February 2018. (via Hawar)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mirkan village, Afrin, 28th February 2018. (via Rumaf)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mirkan village, Afrin, 28th February 2018. (via Rumaf)
  • Showing the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mirkan village, Afrin, 28th February 2018.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mirkan village, Afrin (ميركان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.537500, 36.713889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS257

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Location

قرية ترندة, Tarnada villlage, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.493056, 36.879444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three of four children from the same family died, and their mother was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Tarnada village near the city of Afrin, according to local media. Reports said that their home was struck.

Afrin Now reported: The death of three children and the injury of a child and his mother as a result of the barbaric shelling of the Turkish occupation of the village of Tarnada adjacent to the city of Afrin. One of the shells landed on the house of a civilian in the village of Tarnada.

The Kurdish Red Crescent and other local sources named the three civilians who were killed and two injured.

However, according to SDF Press, the three-year-old Rashid Rifaat Ibrahim died in the attack.

IC Afrin Resistance went on to report that three children were still missing under the ruins, and at least one more civilian was killed.

According to IC Afrin Resistance, four children died, and the youngest child and the mother were seriously injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

14 years old female via Kurdish red crescent killed
13 years old male via Kurdish red crescent killed
10 years old male via Kurdish red crescent killed
31 years old female via Kurdish red crescent, bruised injured
3 years old male via Kurdish red crescent, injury to face and waist injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child who was either injured or killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: Afrin now facebook post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child being treated following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin, 8th March 2018. (via: Afrin now facebook post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child who killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: Afrin now facebook post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child Hala Ibrahim, a 13-year-old who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th march 2018. (via Rumaf )
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: Afrin now facebook post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: QSD Heza)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child Hala Ibrahim, a 13-year-old who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (Source: QSD Heza)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child Hala Ibrahim, a 13-year-old who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th march 2018. (via KRC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another image of Hala Ibrahim, a 13-year-old who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: IC Afrin resistance)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: IC Afrin resistance)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a dead body of one of the children who killed a following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th march 2018. (via: Rojava)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the Kurdish red crescent team removing bodies from the spot of the reported shelling by Turkish on Tarnada village, Afrin, 8th March 2018. (via: Rojava)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the Kurdish red crescent team removing bodies from the spot of the reported shelling by Turkish on Tarnada village, Afrin, 8th March 2018. (via: Wladimir)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows one of the children who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: Rumaf)
  • A group of people of Afrin demonstrating to express their anger of the death of three children by the Turkish airstrikes. (source: IC Afrin)
  • A group of people of Afrin demonstrating to express their anger of the death of three children by the Turkish airstrikes. (source: IC Afrin)
  • A group of people of Afrin demonstrating to express their anger of the death of three children by the Turkish airstrikes. (source: IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows one of the children who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: Rumaf)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows one of the children who was killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Tarnada village, Afrin 8th March 2018. (via: KRC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tarnada villlage, Afrin (قرية ترندة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.493056, 36.879444. 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 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS033

Incident date

December 28, 2016

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Al Bab Al Hadath reported that Qadro Al-Jadeed and his family were killed in a Turkish airstrike “a few days ago” on December 31st.

There is currently no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Qadro Al-Jadeed
Adult male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ 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

CS462 TS066

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Location

البزاعة, Al Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3829071, 37.56666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrikes, according to sources.

The Syrian Network noted that “four civilians (2 children and their parents) died when International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Baza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.”

However according to Ara News, “A statement issued by the Presidency of the Turkish General Staff said on Friday ‘Fighter jets belonging to the Turkish Air Force were able during the raids carried out on Thursday to neutralize 22 terrorists and destroy 272 objectives in al Bab city and the town of Baza’a in northern Syria, including 21 shelters for ISIL, a centralized command and an ammunition store’.”

The Syrian Observatory also blamed Ankara: “A child and a woman were martyred in Turkish raids on Baza’a and in Turkish artillery on al Bab.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Baza’a (البزاعة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3829071, 37.56666. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Baza’a (Aleppo), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA7143827368
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 26th-27th the Coalition publicly noted no strikes in Aleppo governorate, and likewise for January 27th-28th.

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
  • (1–2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS352 TS005f

Incident date

October 29, 2016

Location

الجطل, Al Jatal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5781778, 37.7233572 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one person was killed by alleged Coalition raids in the vicinity of al Jatal, according to sparse local reports. However a Turkish assault on the village was also reported at the time.

Halab News named one male victim who it also said was a victim of “coalition raids.”

The only other specific report was from a Twitter user named Samran al A’anzi, who said that 4 civilians died during “international coalition raids on Al Jatal.” Other reports indicated the Turkish army, or Turkish-backed forces, were operating in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim al A’roude
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Local Islamists posted photographs they said showed 'the repelling of the storming by the apostate Turkish army on al Jatal village west of al Ghandoura town.' (via blog which has since been blocked)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Jatal (الجطل), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.5781778, 37.7233572. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al A'rīma, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported no strikes in the area. For October 24th-25th, the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions, a mortar system, and a vehicle.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS046

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

التفريعة, Al Tafri’a village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.359167, 37.680556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, Syria News Desk, reported that “four civilians were killed by Turkish raids in the village of al Tafri’a north of Baza’ah which is controlled by IS-east of Aleppo.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Syria News Desk, reported that "four civilians were killed by Turkish raids in the village of al Tafri’a north of Baza’ah which is controlled by IS-east of Aleppo." (Via Syria News Desk)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Tafri’a village (التفريعة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.359167, 37.680556. 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
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI024

Incident date

June 27, 2019

Location

سنكاسار, Sangasar, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Geolocation

36.247996, 45.018967 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three or four civilians of the same family were reportedly killed by an alleged Turkish airstrike on a civilian car on Berker near Sangasar on June 27th, 2019, according to local sources.

According to ANF, “Three civilians, including children and women, lost their lives and 5 civilians were injured in the attack. Among those who lost their lives are a woman and a 4-year-old child.”

Rudaw said that “four people from one family were killed on Thursday, June 27, 2019, by fighting between Turkey and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) guerrillas and shelling of two villages at the foot of Mount Qandil.”

Nasnews quoted Iraqi MP Kawa Mohammed saying: “Turkish planes again bombed populated areas of the province of Arbil and killed four citizens and injured five others, all of them unarmed citizens living in the area.”

Hathalyoum reported: “Turkish warplanes bombed two civilian vehicles in the village of Barker in Sangasar district, killing four people, including three from one family and wounding five others.”

Baxtiyar Goran tweeted that there were two children among the injured.

In September 2019, the Christian Peacemaker Teams Iraqi Kurdistan (CPTIK) reported that “on June 27, 2019, the Turkish military fired a rocket at the vehicle of Abdullah Aali Mina killing him along with his daughter, Kurdistan, and his 17-year-old son, Haryad. The blast also wounded five additional family members, including his wife. They were returning home after a day-trip to their family lands in Ashqolka village near Sangasar. Initial reports claim that there was a PKK vehicle in the area and the Turkish military fired upon both vehicles.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult male killed
Age unknown female daughter of killed
17 years old male son of Abdullah Aali Mina
Adult female first name unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Two children reportedly injured in the strike
  • Dead bodies following an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar (via ANF)
  • Dead bodies following an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • A wounded child following an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)
  • Scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Turkish strike on Sangasar, June 27th 2019 (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sangasar (سنكاسار), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.247996, 45.018967. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]