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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Turkish Military
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Incident Code

TS009

Incident date

November 14, 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

Between three and five civilians were reported killed as a result of Turkish airstrikes or artillery shelling on Al Bab.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that bombing during the Euphrates Shield operation “resulted in the deaths of four people at least and dozens wounded, some of them still in critical condition.”

Rojava 24 tweeted: “Five civilians lost their lives as a result of Turkish shelling on the northern countryside of the town of Al-Bab.”

A Facebook site for the city later named two related victims of this event: “Ali al-Mastu al-Kalzi and Mustapha Mahmoud al-Kalzi, during the shelling of the city’s neighborhoods three days ago.”

The ISIS-affiliated propaganda outlet Al A’amaq reported “three dead and 27 injured civilians including three in critical condition following Turkish artillery bombardment on the city of Al Bab in the Aleppo countryside.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mustapha Mahmoud al-Kalzi
Age unknown male killed
Ali al-Mastu al-Kalzi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • '# Aleppo Activist for # Rojava 24: 5 Civilians lost their lives as a result of Turkish shelling on the northern countryside of the town of Al-Bab'

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
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS241

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Location

ميشالا, Meshale, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.579722, 36.930000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources reported that five civilians were killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Meshale, Syria.

According to ANF, “on the axis of the village of Meshaala, the Turkish invasion aircraft launched raids on the village during the afternoon. The bombing continues as this report is being prepared. The initial death toll is five civilians martyrs and a number of other wounded people. Rescue teams can’t reach the village”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moments after alleged Turkish airstrikes hit Meshale, 3rd March 2018. (via Hawar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Meshale, Aleppo (ميشالا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.579722, 36.930000. 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
    5
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS104

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Location

عفرين, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.391667, 36.693056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that five adult male civilians were killed and four people injured in the vicinity of Jinderes in Afrin canton. The victims names were confirmed though a private message shared with Airwars.

Other sources also reported Turkish strikes in the area. According to Alnado, civilians sheltered in caves “to escape the heavy Turkish bombardment”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Baker Adnan
Adult male shared in a private report with Airwars, also named by Rumaf killed
Muhammad Hanan
Adult male shared in a private report with Airwars, also named by Rumaf killed
Bashar Dilsher welat
Adult male shared in a private report with Airwars, also named by Rumaf killed
Chekdar
Adult male shared in a private report with Airwars, also named by Rumaf killed
Waled Tersely
28 years old male shared in a private report with Airwars, also named by Rumaf killed
Yousif Abdul Rahman
15 years old male head injury injured
Selva Eed
Age unknown suffering from shock injured
Majd Adel Beker
Age unknown broken hand injured
Basel Hassan
Age unknown bruising injured
Muhammad Oso Yousif
65 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an alleged Turkish airstrike hit Jindires, Afrin 21st January 2018. (via Barada)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jindires, Afrin (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.391667, 36.693056. 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
    5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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

TS232

Incident date

February 27, 2018

Location

يلنقوز, Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.391667, 36.693056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two named civilians died in an alleged Turkish shelling of Yilanguz village, Syria, local media reported.

According to Rumaf, “The Turkish bombardment targeted the village of Jilanguz in the district of Jendiris with artillery, which led to the death of the citizen.

The source published very graphic images of the victim.

The victim was also named by Afrin Now.

A second victim was named by ANHA, with the source reporting that “dozens of artillery shells fell” on Yilanguz.

According to SDF Press, “the army of the Turkish invasion and the terrorist factions targeted the center of the town of Jindires and the village of Yilanguz with heavy weapons. The initial result is the death of two civilian martyrs and wounding of three more”.

SDF Press also put the death toll at two with three more wounded.

However, according to KDP, five civilians died, including children.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Mankawi
21 years old male killed
Muhammad Walid
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Mahmud Mankawi, 21, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 27th February 2018. (via Afrin Now)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 27th February 2018. (via SDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 27th February 2018. (via Rumaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 27th February 2018. (via Rumaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 27th February 2018. (via Rumaf)
  • Footage reporting on an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 27th February 2018. (via Anha )

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin (يلنقوز), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.391667, 36.693056. 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 – 5
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS021

Incident date

December 12, 2016

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

Five civilians from one family were reported killed as a result of Turkish artillery shelling in Al Baza’a, according to a single source.

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq wrote: “a family of five killed following Turkish shelling on Baza’a near al Bab northeast of Aleppo.”

There are no other known details available at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 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.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS012

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Location

قرية الغوز, Al Ghor, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.343056, 37.454444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the ISIS-affiliated media outlet al Amaq, five civilians were killed byTurkish artillery shelling on Al Ghor, a village west of Al Bab.

“Five people killed and ten injured following Turkish artillery bombing of the village of al Ghor west of al Bab in the Aleppo countryside,” the propaganda unit claimed.

There are currently no other known public sources relating to this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 village of Al Ghor (قرية الغوز), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.343056, 37.454444. 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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS051

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including one child died and more were wounded – including members of the civil defense – in artillery shelling on Al Bab, Syria, local media reported – though many sources didn’t identify the culprit. A tweet by a local “Amna Alali” was the only source to attrbute blame to Turkey.

Ameer Alabad reported that three members of civil defense wounded as they went about their duties.

A another report by Al Bab 24, added that “a rocket bombardment resulted in the injury of three rescue workers – Hassan Al Haj, Firas al-Haj and Mahmoud Basha, two of them were left in a critical condition. Additionally, the father of Mahmoud Basha died in a raid while he was trying to aid his son Mahmoud Basha.”

The Shaam News Network said that five civilians died and several more were wounded in artillery shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

child from the family of al Sheikh Said
10 years old named by Al Bab 24, died following raids near al Salam hospital today [Jan 14th]". killed
father of Mahmoud Basha
Adult male killed
Hassan Al Haj
Adult male injured
Firas al-Haj
Adult injured
Mahmoud Basha
Adult injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Rocket bombardment resulted in the injury of three rescue workers and they are , Hassan Al Haj, Firas al-Haj Mahmoud Basha, two of them in critical condition, and the death of the father of Mahmoud Basha in a raid while he was trying to aid his son Mahmoud Basha". (via AlBab24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab city (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
    1 – 5
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS191

Incident date

February 13, 2018

Location

عفرين, city of Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including one woman died and as many as ten others were wounded, including children, followed an alleged Turkish shelling of the city of Afrin, according to local media.

Reports said that the Turkish army carried out heavy artillery shelling on Tuesday evening February 13, 2018, targeting both the neighbourhoods of Ashrafieh and Trondi within the city of Afrin. The source Free Afrin also published pictures depicting damage left by the Turkish occupation army shells on the Afrin hospital square in Afrin. Other sources also reported artillery and rocket shelling in the vicinity of the hospital.

One victim was named by multiple sources as 35-year-old. Reports said that he was a taxi driver and that he was killed when his vehicle was hit. The civilian sitting next to him was reportedly wounded. Sources published images showing the damage to the car.

Meanwhile, Rojava reported the death of a woman and showed her husband mourning her body.

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, the victims of the Turkish shelling were young people, some of whom died, others had shrapnel in their bodies, and others escaped. In addition to naming Radwan Omar Hussein as killed, the source said that 31-year-old and (a media activist/journalist) were injured.

Hodnnat citing Reuters reported, dozens of civilians were killed when the Turkish army shelled the outskirts of Afrin Hospital. This report, however, was the only one which put the death toll in double figures – and Airwars has not found the original Reuters report.

Other sources published graphic images of casualties, including children. Saleh Muslim said that a girl named Ruha was wounded and published a picture of blood covering her face.

Pleas note, some of these images are the same as those in the next incident TS192 on Heikja, Afrin. Airwars is unable to identify which images belong to which incident. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Radwan Omar Hussein
35 years old male via Kurdish red crescent killed
Houriya Abd Hajras
45 years old female via RuMaf killed
Fahima Hamada al Hamada
45 years old female via RuMaf killed
Luqman Bakr
31 years old male via Kurdish red crescent injured
Haitham Mohammed Kzou
Adult male via Kurdish red crescent injured
Shukri Mohammed Mohammed
50 years old male Via Afrin now injured
Raha Mohammed
Child female Via Afrin now injured
Ruha
Age unknown female via @SalihMaslem injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–10
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the car that targeted by the alleged Turkish shelling in Afrin on 13 February 2018. As a result, the driver was killed and the passenger wounded (source: ‏@maadsalum99)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows blood in the targeted car in which resulted in killing one civilian and wounded another following an alleged Turkish shelling on 13 February 2018 (source: ara yekiti media)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows the moment of the alleged Turkish shelling on the hospital of the city of Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via pyd rojava‏)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows Haitham Mohammed Kzou, wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling on the city of Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via @jwanmoustafa5)
  • An image shows the landed shelling on the ground near the hospital of Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Kurdish red crescent)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows another man (Luqman Bakr), injured following the Turkish shelling near Afrin hospital on 13 February 2018 (via Kurdish red crescent).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the victim Radwan Omar Hussein, killed fowled an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Kurdish red crescent).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video displays a new victim, killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Kurdish red crescent).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a wounded being treated by a doctor in the medical centre followed an alleged Turkish shelling in Afrin on 13 February 2018 (source: Kurdish red crescent).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a wounded being treated in the medical centre followed an alleged Turkish shelling in Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Kurdish red crescent).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a wounded being treated by a doctor in the medical centre followed an alleged Turkish shelling in Afrin (source: Kurdish red crescent).
  • A picture shows the aftermath of the alleged Turkish shelling in Afrin on 13 February 2018 (source: Kurdish red crescent).
  • A picture shows Radwan Omar Hussein, killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling in Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via The war media centre for the SDF facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows another man (Luqman Bakr), injured following the Turkish shelling near Afrin hospital on 13 February 2018 (via The war media centre for the SDF facebook).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows Raha Mohammed, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Rumaf facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows Raha Mohammed being treated at the medical centre followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin (source: Rumaf facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows Shukri Mohammed Mohammed, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Rumaf facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a man in the medical centre, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via RuMaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a man in the medical centre, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via RuMaf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a woman, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via RuMaf)
  • A picture shows the moment of the landing the shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Cahîda Dêrsim @dersi4m)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows Raha Mohammed being treated at the medical centre followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Nuce news facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a woman, killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Nuce news facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a man, injured on his head followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Nuce news facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a man, killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Turkey untold)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a man, killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Turkey untold)
  • A picture shows Raha Mohammed being treated at the medical centre followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via SH_OQ3)
  • A civilian man whose relatives reportedly were among the victims of the Turkish shelling og Afrin on 13 February 2018 (via Mutlu Civiroglu)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of city of Afrin (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. 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 – 5
  • (1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–10
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]