Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

TI042

Incident date

July 26, 2020

Location

the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish, Duhok, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Two men were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on two vehicles near Hasinpirka village, Duhok province, on July 26th, 2020. Sources are conflicted about whether the men were civilians or PKK militants.

Kurdistan24 reported that “a Turkish airstrike in rural parts of the Kurdistan region’s Duhok province killed at least two civilians, a security source told Kurdistan 24 on Sunday. The raid struck and destroyed two vehicles, killing all occupants”, adding that initial reports claimed that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) had been targeted.

ANF Turkey wrote that the strikes hit civilians cars and identified the victims as Dilovan Şahin Omer Kesani and Ebdullah Ehmed. @eha_news, however, reported that two PKK vehicles were struck, adding that “sources report that high-ranking militants have been killed in the operation coordinated between the Turkish intelligence and army.”

Roj News initially reported only one death, but later wrote that two civilians were killed. The same source did write that “Abdullah Ahmed is said to be PKK’s intelligence peshmerga.”

The mayor of the Bamarne sub-district, Hamid Zubair, told Rudaw: “The two vehicles belonged to PKK fighters and they were targeted at [around] 4:30pm on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish villages in Bamarne sub-district, killing two people in the vehicles.” According to Mr Zubair, “the airstrikes did not cause any human losses among civilians.”

According to NRT, one of the victims was a PKK militant, whereas the other was a civilian.

Civil defence teams reportedly put out the fire that was caused by the airstrikes.

The incident occured at approximately 4:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Dilovan Şahin Omer Kesani
Adult male from Gulle village killed
Ebdullah Ehmed
Adult male from the village of Bendkê killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 killed
    2

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • The mother of one of the victims of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Duhok province on July 26th, 2020 at the site (via Kurdistan 24)
  • Two vehicles were targeted in alleged Turkish airstrikes in Duhok province on July 26th, 2020 (via Kurdistan24).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • The vehicles that were targeted in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Two vehicles were targeted by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish in Duhok province, July 26th (via ANF).
  • The site after the alleged Turkish airstrike on Duhok province on July 26th (via ANF).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Dohuk province on July 26th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Dilovan Şahin Omer Keşanî and Ebdullah Ehmed were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on July 26th, 2020 (via Roj News).
  • One of the vehicles that was targeted in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via @eha_news).
  • One of the victims of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via @GoranShakhawan).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via @GoranShakhawan).
  • Dilovan Şahin Omer Keşanî and Ebdullah Ehmed were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on July 26th, 2020 (via @Hawar_).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the road between Barzanke and Ghilpish on July 26th, 2020 (via @MapsZagros).
  • Dilovan Şahin Omer Keşanî and Ebdullah Ehmed were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on July 26th, 2020. It unclear which victim is pictured in this photo (via @afatbaz).
  • Dilovan Şahin Omer Keşanî and Ebdullah Ehmed were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on July 26th, 2020. It unclear which victim is pictured in this photo (via @afatbaz).
  • Vehicles on fire after alleged Turkish airstrikes in Dohuk province on July 26th, 2020 (via @Oliver_Miller70 ).
  • Translation: “Images of the #PKK vehicle targeted by a Turkish F-16 fighter jet in the #Dohuk area of northern #Iraq” (via @aucuneideegtyb).
  • One of the bodies covered by a blanket after alleged Turkish airstrikes on Dohuk province, July 26th (via lswnews).
  • Translation: “The incursion and the attacks of the Turkish army continue to kill people in South Kurdistan. This afternoon, the Turkish air force targeted 2 civilian vehicles in Bamernê, in the province of #Dohuk, killing several people. We do not yet know the number of dead and injured” (via @Le_CDKF).

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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 killed
    2

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI071

Incident date

September 7–8, 2021

Location

سينة موكة, Sinamoka, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Geolocation

36.41559, 45.02261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and up to two others were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Sinamoka, Sulaymaniyah district on September 7, 2021, according to local media reports.

According to Roj News, two civilians were injured in the Turkish bombing of the village of Sinamoka that involved three airstrikes. Baghdad concurred that two civilians were wounded.

Basnews initially reported that two civilians were injured but later stated that two civilians were killed in the strikes on Sinamoka. Mayor Nahro Abdullah told BasNews that the airstrikes occurred around 1:30am and that Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters were in the area.

In addition to the civilian casualties, the bombing resulted in damage to civilian property.

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

The incident occured at approximately 1:30 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sinamoka (سينة موكة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.41559, 45.02261. 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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI098

Incident date

October 13, 2023

Location

مخيم مخمور, Makhmur camp, Erbil Governorate , Kurdistan, Iraq

Airwars assessment

A woman was injured after an alleged Turkish drone strike hit a home in the Makhmur camp at approximately 9:25AM on October 13th, 2023.

The woman, 50-year-old Aisha Muhammad Ahmed, was a resident of the camp, which houses between 10,000 to 12,000 displaced Kurds. Her injuries, many of which look to be on her face and head, appeared to be severe. According to the co-chair of the camp’s People’s Council, Youssef Kara, the strike his the house of Rojhat Saleh.

A source told Shafaq News Agency that “The bombing was carried out by a Turkish drone and targeted a location inside the camp where supporters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party live. The bombing site is close to the site that was bombed last week, and the damage is not yet known.”

The incident occured at 09:25:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Aisha Muhammad Ahmed عائشة محمد أحمد
50 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ronahi.tv
  • Source: هامسا الكردية Hamsa Kurdish

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: هامسا الكردية Hamsa Kurdish
  • Source: ANF

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
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI026

Incident date

July 19, 2019

Location

مخيم الشهيد روستم جودي, Martyr Rustam Jodi Camp, Mosul, Iraq

Geolocation

35.759886, 43.605080 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Turkish forces shelled Martyr Rustam Joudi refugee camp in Makhmour and wounded two people around 3.15 am on July 19th, according to local sources.

Dwarozh News reported that Laila Arzou, the Joint Chief of Martyr Rostam Jodi camp, called on the United Nations and the federal government to protect civilians from Turkish shelling.

No other details are known at this time.

The incident occured at approximately 3:15 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video of the incident

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Martyr Rustam Jodi Camp (مخيم الشهيد روستم جودي) in Makhmur (مخمور). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the camp are: 35.759886, 43.605080.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI054

Incident date

January 22, 2021

Location

العمادية, Amadiya, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.092003, 43.486966 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured when alleged Turkish airstrikes struck an alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) vehicle in Amadiya district in Dohuk governorate in the afternoon of January 22nd, 2021, according to local sources.

Director of Jumanki Aland Amir told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “the Turkish airstrikes targeted the outskirts of the village (Kari) of the Jumanki district in Amadiya district of Dohuk governorate,” indicating that “3 civilians were lightly injured.” The strikes reportedly damaged the homes of the wounded.

The director added that PKK sites in the Kashan area of Batifa district in the Zakho district were also bombed by Turkish warplanes.

Aland Amir revealed more details of the strikes to the Esta Media Network, stating that the “Turkish warplanes bombed a vehicle belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) near Gre village in the sub-district at 02:00 p.m. on Friday.” According to Amir, “three civilians whose house were close to the place of the airstrike were wounded.”

Security sources told 7al that the strikes targeted PKK areas and resulted in the injury of three civilians and damage to residential homes.

@Rawan_12313 posted a video of the strikes with the caption: “Three civilians were injured in Turkish bombing of Amadiya district in Dohuk.”

All sources blamed Turkey for the strikes.

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “Three civilians were injured in Turkish bombing of Amadiyah district in Dohuk” (via @Rawan_12313).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Amadiya (العمادية), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.092003, 43.486966. 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
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI080 YI003

Incident date

May 26, 2022

Location

زيوا, Ziwa , Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.198798, 43.189773 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two children were killed and up to two others, including a child, were injured in alleged Turkish or Kurdish strikes on Ziwa village on May 26, 2022.

Birqi Omar, mukhtar (chieftain) of Ziwa village in Amedi town, told Rudaw’s Hunar Rashid that people from nearby areas were picnicking when bombs struck. “As far as we know, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) on Metina mountain targeted Turkish military base with three bombs. Then, Turkey bombed our families, killing two people, aged 10, and injuring another,” said the mukhtar. A witness, whose hand was stained with the blood of one of the dead children, told Rudaw that they had left all their picnic goods in the incident area.

According to BasNews, “at least two children were killed and two other civilians were injured” by two rockets. Kurdistan24 identified the two wounded civilians as being adult males and Hawar News added that the two children were aged 6 and 7. Yekiti Media provided the names of the victims, Youssef Kaufan, 14, and Afand Hashiyari, 10.

BasNews added that the victims were reportedly collecting spring plants while another source said they were attending an outdoor wedding celebration. A source told Shafaq News Agency that there was “a big celebration when the bombing occurred, which led to the death of three victims and the injury of several others as a result.” He added that “the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the bodies were evacuated to the forensic medicine department.”

A photo uploaded by Agency France Press identified one of the injured children as nine-year-old, Sipan Farhad. He was reported to be receiving treatment at a hospital in Dohuk following the incident. Sipan told Rudaw he was playing football with his friends when the strike happened, “I went upstairs while Yousif and Avand went to bring the ball back off the street and when I came down, a bomb hit the ground”, “Yousif told me to bring water because there was a dirty glass and we wanted to clean it,” he added.

Kovan Haji, Yousif’s father, told Rudaw that in the days before his son’s death he had promised him a present for completing the school year. “I wanted to grant my son a big prize. He was not only my son, but he was my friend, and he was always with me even when things were not going well.” The families told Rudaw the missiles came from Metina mountain, only meters away from them.

Witnesses told Shafaq News Agency, “The people of (Ziwa) village were celebrating near (Ardana) village of Bamerni district in Amadiyah district, north of Dohuk, when two artillery shells fell near the celebrants, killing three children between the ages of 10 and 11 years. Another 8-year-old child was wounded and is now lying in an emergency hospital in Dohuk. The father of the injured child explained to Shafaq News, that his son was wounded by shrapnel from the bombing in his arm and chest, but his health condition is stable now.

Rudaw News quoted various sources that blamed different sources for the strikes, with Kurdistan Region’s Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) and Warshin Salman, mayor of Amedi, attributing the strikes to the PKK while PKK-affiliated Rojnews reported that Turkey carried out the bombing. A Facebook post from Abo Mostafa AlJoboore quoted a father of one of the victims, who confirmed that it was the Turkish that carried out the bombing, not the PKK.

The Media Center of the People’s Protection Forces (HPJ), the military wing of the anti-Ankara Kurdistan Workers’ Party, released a statement denying that they carried out the bombing: “The State of Turkey attacked our citizens in South Kurdistan (Kurdistan Region) when they were on a picnic, which resulted in the death of three martyrs, including two children.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Youssef Kaufan يوسف كوفان
14 years old killed
Afand Hashiyari أفند هشياري
10 years old killed
Sipan Farhad
9 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, YPG
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Children victims of the strikes on Zewa village on May 26, 2022. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • A relative checks on Sipan Farhad, a 9-year-old boy wounded following a rocket attack in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq, at a hospital in the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk, May 26, 2022. (Image courtesy of AFP)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an undisclosed area of Metin mountain (جبل متین), in the vicinity of Ziwa (زيوا) village. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ziwa are: 37.00874, 43.45609.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, YPG
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI032

Incident date

January 15, 2020

Location

دوكوري, Dugure, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.471389, 41.745556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and eleven people were killed and up to five people, including one civilian, were reported injured in an alleged Turkish strike on a YBS base in the town of Dugure, Sinjar governorate, on January 15th, 2020, according to local sources.

Ekurd reported that Turkish warplanes had “bombed targets in the Dugure community in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar (Shingal) district. YBS commander Zardasht Shingali and four fighters were killed and five others, including a civilian, were wounded in the bombardment.”

According to Big News Network, the military press office stated that “five YBS members were killed at 11:35 local time (08:35 GMT) this Wednesday in the unidentified airstrike in the Hittin base, in the northern part of the Nineveh Operations Command division.”

Bas News reported eleven killed and stated that the brother of Shingali was also killed. The other nine killed were allegedly also fighters with the YBS. The YBS themselves reported in a written statement that four of their fighters had been killed, according to @dersi4m. An eyewitness told Kurdistan24: “I saw eight dead bodies with my own eyes and there were multiple other wounded people.”

Khadida Joki, director of Sunoon district, north of Sinjar district, said in a statement to Kirkuk Now that “Turkish planes targeted at 11:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, due to the targeting of the headquarters of Sinjar protection units.”

Saeb Khadr Nayef, the representative of the Yazidi quota in the House of Representatives, released a statement after the airstrike, stating that “unknown aircraft, as described by the Iraqi Security Media Cell today, targeted one of the Yezidi complexes (Hittin Complex) located in the north in the Sinjar district, and this is not the first time that In which the Sinjar district is targeted by aircraft that are not officially disclosed by the competent Iraqi authorities, this act that violates the national atmosphere and Iraqi sovereignty has resulted in loss of life and martyrdom of innocent Yazidis, not to mention the state of panic and fear that occurred between the people.”

The incident occured between 11:00 am and 11:35 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the Digure community in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020 (via Ekurd Daily).
  • Zardasht Shingali, chief of YBS, a PKK affiliated group, was reportedly killed in a Turkish airstrike on the village of Dugure, Nineveh province, on January 15th, 2020 (via @BarzanSadiq).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020 (via ANF English).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of Zardasht Shingali, chief of YBS, a PKK affiliated group, was reportedly killed in a Turkish airstrike on the village of Dugure, Nineveh province, on January 15th, 2020 (via @dersi4m).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dugure (دوكوري) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.471389, 41.745556.  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
    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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI062

Incident date

June 13, 2021

Location

قلعة دزة, Qalaat Diza, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Geolocation

36.169539, 45.212478 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four people were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes in the Qalaat Diza region, on the road between the villages of Deka and Kani Lane, on June 13, 2021. While the majority of sources refer to those killed as civilians, Turkish sources allege they five members of the PKK were killed.

According to North Press Agency “four civilians, at least, lost their lives due to Turkish air strike of a civilian vehicle. The civilian vehicle that the Turkish warplanes targeted was a Toyota carrying four people, whose identities are unknown yet. He pointed out that the area that was targeted, at exactly 13:30 on Sunday afternoon, is a civilian-populated area. It is near Helsho District, and it is not a military area. ”

Mawazin News also referred to those killed as civilians, stating that “a civilian car carrying four Iraqi Kurds” was bombed.

Sulaymaniyah Eye reported the name of one of those killed as Abu Bakr Tawfiq. Kurdistan News Now added that he got married 9 days prior to when he was killed.

Rudaw media quoted that Turkish media outlets circulated that the bombing “leaded five people to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) who were inside the car” but stated that the identities of those killed were not known.

A tweet from @metesohtaoglu, a Turkish journalist, also alleges that those killed were militants, added that “a destroyed PKK/HPG terror group vehicle is seen after it was targeted in a Turkish drone strike in Sulaimani’s Pishdar area on Sunday. 5 militants killed”.

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

The incident occured at 13:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • (0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: Turkish warplanes bombed areas in Qalaat Diza, killing four civilians The picture below is of the martyr Abu Bakr Tawfiq, one of the martyrs of today's bombing. (Image posted by Sulaymaniyah Eye)
  • #Iraq- A destroyed PKK/HPG terror group vehicle is seen after it was targeted in a Turkish drone strike in Sulaimani's Pishdar area on Sunday. 5 militants killed #KRG (Image posted by @metesohtaoglu)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck on the road between the villages of Deka (ديكة) and Kani Lane (كاني لان). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for this road are: 36.169539, 45.212478.

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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
    0 – 4
  • (0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5

Sources (6) [ collapse]