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

TS571

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

علي اغا, Ali Agha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.90373, 41.89885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that three people were wounded by Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha in Tal Koçer. Two of the wounded were taken to Derik Hospital, while the other, who suffered a serious injury, was transferred to Qamishli Hospital.

A Facebook post by Metin Bekes reported that civilians were injured and identified four raids as being carried out by Turkish forces against the village of Ali Agha.

Alyaum TV and Metin Bekes both posted on Facebook that casualties resulted from Turkish strikes without specifying how many.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by Ciwan Ibrahîm via Facebook)
  • Alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by دجلة - الجزيرة السورية via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ali Agha (علي اغا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.90373, 41.89885. 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
  • 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

TS572

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

المصرف, Al Masraf, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.02628, 41.546997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes that struck a civilian car in the village of Masraf on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that three people were injured when Turkish forces bombed a civilian car in the village of Masraf. The injured civilians were transferred to Qamishli Hospital for treatment.

Both Hawar News and Dijla posted on Facebook a similar casualty count of three civilian injured.

All three sources that reported on the incident attributed the bombing to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Car damaged by alleged Turkish airstrikes in the village of Masraf on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Masraf (المصرف), allegedly located in the vicinity of Al Qahtaniyah (القحطانية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Qahtaniyah are: 37.02628, 41.546997.  

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
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS573

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

الزيدية, Al Zaydiyah, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.804710, 40.379030 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Al Zaydiyah on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that two people were injured by an explosive-laden drone strike on the village of Al Zaydiyah in Darbasiyah district. ANF added that at the time there was no information on the condition of those injured.

A Facebook post by Evin Shexmous published a similar casualty toll of two civilian injured by a Turkish drone.

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
    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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zaydiyah (الزيدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.804710, 40.379030. 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, Drone Strike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS574

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

دوار القرموطي, Al-Qarmouti square. al-Gharbi neighborhood,.Qamishli., Hasakeh, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 23th, 2022, between one to two civilians were reportedly killed and another one injured by a Turkish drone targeting a truck at Al-Qarmouti roundabout (also referred to as “Al-Hilalia roundabout”) in Qamishli city in the evening. According to local sources, the truck was completely destroyed by the strike.

Sources identified the civilian injured as the Mayor of Himo village, Hassan Majdin, 45 years old. He was taken to a hospital in Qamishli for treatment. A medical source said that his injuries were minor, while another source claimed he was “seriously wounded”.

Local sources reported conflicted information regarding the number of casualties. Sources either claimed that the strike wounded or killed SDF leader “Rizan Kalo” who was inside the vehicle when the attack was conducted. SOHR claimed that the driver of the truck, whose identity was not disclosed, was killed, while “Rizan Kahlo” and another person was injured in the bombing. One local source quoting Russian-owned media Sputnik mentionned that “Rizan Kalo” was killed along with “two of his companions”, without precising if those were also SDF militants.  Al-Araby Al-Jadeed correspondent claimed that the attack killed two people, without further precisions, and injured two others, the wounded being identified as Hassan Majdin and Rizan Kalo.

 

 

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Majdin حسن مجدين
45 years old male Mayor of Himo village injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • On November 23th 2022, in Qamishli city, a reported Turkish drone strike hit and destroyed a vehicle. Photo: SOHR
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    On November 23rd 2022 in Qamishli city, one civilian was injured and between one to two others killed following a reported Turkish drone strike in Qamishli city. Photo: Qamishli now
  • SDF leader "Rizan Kalo" reportedly injured in a Turkish drone strike targeting a truck in Qamishli city on November 23rd 2022. Photo: صفحة كوردستان الكبرى G K P
  • On November 23rd 2022, an alleged Turkish drone strike hit a truck in Al-Qarmouti roundabout in Qamishli city. Photo: NPA
  • SDF leader "Rizan Kalo's family denied news that "Rizan Kalo" died following a reported Turkish strike on a vehicle on November 23rd 2022. Photo: وكالة روج نيوز المستقلة للأخبار

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS575

Incident date

November 29, 2022

Location

صوغانكي, Soghnaki, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.435923, 36.927280 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On November 29th 2022, two civilians were reportedly injured following Turkish artillery shelling on Soghnaki (Soghanaki) village in Sherawa district, Aleppo governorate.

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • On November 29th 2022, several villages were reportedly targeted by Turkish artillery shelling in Sherawa district. Photo: Rojnews

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Soghnaki (صوغانكي), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.435923, 36.927280. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI089

Incident date

December 2, 2022

Location

جبل اسوس شارباجار, Mount Assos, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and up to five others were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes/drone strikes on Mount Assos on December 2, 2022.

The mayor of Charbajar, Shaho Othman, told Kurdistan 24  that three people were wounded and three civilians were missing following Turkish airstrikes on Mount Assos. Kurdistan 24 later revised their casualty count to one person killed and two others wounded, adding that four people were hunting in the mountain and hiding in the cave of Kelashin when the strikes occurred and that one person is still missing.

Kurdistan Revolution posted on Facebook that a civilian named Aziz Muhammad Rasool who worked as a farmer was killed and two others were injured.

A tweet from @cptiraq reported that six civilians were victims of the bombing, with one civilian killed (Aziz Muhamed) and five others injured (Muhamad Kadir, Kwexa Muhamad, Zana Muhamad, Saeed Muhamad and Salih Kadir).

Roj News Agency, quoting the mayor of Mawat district Kamiran Hassan, reported that a group of civilians were collecting wild herbs in the village of Kalala when Turkish airstrikes hit. Mayor Kamiran Hassan told Rudaw News Network that one civilian was killed and one was injured from the bombing, and that the victims were from the village of Qamish. Medya News put the casualty toll at two civilians killed and three injured, adding that medial teams could not rescue them until late in the day because of fear of a second bombardment.

The majority of sources attributed the incident to Turkish forces, with Rudaw News pointing out that it was unknown whether the bombing was carried out by warplanes or drones.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Aziz Muhammad Rasool عزيز محمد رسول
Age unknown killed
Muhamad Kadir
Age unknown injured
Kwexa Muhamad
Age unknown injured
Zana Muhamad
Age unknown injured
Saeed Muhamad
Age unknown injured
Salih Kadir
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Alleged strikes on Mount Assos on December 2, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan24)
  • Location of alleged Turkish drone strikes on December 2, 2022. (Image posted by @cptiraq)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Turkish strikes near Zarun village on December 2, 2022. (Image posted by @cptiraq)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS576

Incident date

December 3, 2022

Location

المجيبرة, Al Mujaibra, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.515970, 40.892380 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children were reportedly injured on December 3rd 2022 as a result of an unexploded ordnance, a previous Turkish shell, which exploded in the village of al-Mujaibra in the countryside of the town of Tel Tamr, north of Al-Hasakah, in Syria.  The shell was reported to have hit the village that morning, but did not explode immediately.

The children were identified as Suleiman Nasr Shalo (11 years old), Badran Nasr Shello (15 years old),  Ali Mahmoud Shello (11 years old) and Khaled Mahmoud Shello (13 years old).

Local sources told North Press Agency that the injured children were taken to Tal Tamr Hospital for treatment and that their health conditions were stable.  ANHA English reported that ”

The child Suleiman Nasr Shalo was wounded by shrapnel in his left foot, while the child Ali Mahmoud Shalo was wounded in his left foot and right hand. The nurse in the intensive care unit, Ahmed Farhan, confirmed that their health condition is stable, and they will be discharged today from the hospital.

As for the two children, Khaled Shalo, who was wounded by shrapnel in the head, and the child Badran Shalo, who was wounded with shrapnel in the abdomen, they are subject to 48-hour medical observation”

The father of two of the children, Badran and Suleiman Shalo, said to ANHA English that “the Turkish occupation is constantly targeting the villages of North and East Syria, including the village of Al-Mujibra, and some of the shells fall and do not explode, which poses a threat to the lives of citizens.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Suleiman Nasr Shalo
11 years old male injured
Badran Nasr Shalo
15 years old male brother of Suleiman injured

The victims were named as:

Ali Mahmoud Shlo
11 years old male injured
Khaled Mahmoud Shlo
13 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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
    Turkish Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Basnews reported that four children were injured after a previously unexploded Turkish shell exploded on December 3rd 2022 (Image via Basnews)
  • "Four children were injured as a result of a Turkish shell explosion, north of Al-Hasakah" (Image via NPA)
  • "Four children were injured as a result of a Turkish shell explosion, north of Al-Hasakah" (Image via NPA)
  • ANHA English reported that four children were injured after a previously unexploded Turkish shell exploded on December 3rd 2022.
  • "According to the correspondent of Hawar News Agency, four children were injured in the village of Al-Mujibra, northeast of Tal Tamr district of Al-Hasakah canton, when a shell exploded that had fallen earlier on the village but did not explode." (Image via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Mujaibra (المجيبرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.515970, 40.892380. 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
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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
    Turkish Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS577

Incident date

December 10, 2022

Location

هيشان , Al Hishah, Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.35291, 39.01692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 10 2022, a civilian, a 61 years old man working on a agriculture field, was reportedly killed during Turkish strikes targeting villages located between Ain Issa district and Girê Spî (Tel Abyad) district, in Raqqah province. Turkish forces allegedly used light and heavy weapons.

The victim was described as “Saleh al-Ali al-Salama (61 years old), from the Albu Assaf clan”, from Al-Hawija village. Local sources added that the man “was martyred by shrapnel from a shell fired from the Turkish base in the village of Bir Issa while he was plowing his land”. Bir Issa is located 7km east of Al-Hisha town.  Saleh al-Ali al-Salama was reportedly “buried in Bir Saran cemetery”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh al-Ali al-Salama صالح العلي السلامة
61 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Saleh al-Ali al-Salama (61 years old), a civilian working in his land, was allegedly killed by Turkish strikes on December 10th 2022. Photo: ANHA English

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hishah (هيشان ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.35291, 39.01692. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]