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

CS498 TS081

Incident date

February 16, 2017

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 18 and 50 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bab, according to local sources. While the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that ten civilians including two children and four women died in an alleged Coalition airstrie, other sources blamed Tiurkey.

A second report by SN4HR said that “International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on the makeshift hospital in Al Bab city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, severely damaging its building and rendering it inoperable”.

However, Syria News Desk reported that the “Turkish army targeted the eastern neighborhoods in al Bab with several air strikes and artillery shells, resulting in deaths of 23 civilians, including children”.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Ibrahim Adel Al Shehabi, a dentist, died along with his children in Der’ Al Furat forces artillery (supported by Turkish forces) shells fired on Al Bab city.”

They also reported the death of three civilians from the same family including a woman.

The Syrian Observatory also attributed the incident to Turkey, reporting that “a massacre was carried out by the Turkish forces, it is not the first one, and may not be the last, but it is a ring in a long series of massacres committed in al-Bab city. This time the victims of the massacre were 10 civilians from two families. They are a doctor and two of his sons under the age of 18, in addition to three men and three women and a child under the age of 18 from the same family. All of them were killed in the continuous Turkish artillery shelling and aerial bombardment on al-Bab city”.

Syria News Desk said that 23 or 25 civilians died from Turkish shelling.

France 24 wrote that 34 civilians were killed, 17 of them children.

Hara FM quoted the ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq who gave the highest death toll at 50.

Al Jazeera did not mention civilian harm but said 77 targets in Al Bab were hit by the Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Family members (10)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mahmoud al Baki
Age unknown male killed
Abd al Basset Kadro al Dibo
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (2 children5 women)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    'A’maq: 50 civilian martyrs by shelling on the door of the eastern suburb of Aleppo'
  • 'Photos of the city # of al bab of the eastern end of the mountain shows clear smoke poles in the city because of the clashes and shelling currently underway, and there is no truth to the news that the city is liberated or free of civilians.' (via Al bab city and its neighbourhood coordination)
  • 'Photos of the city # of al bab of the eastern end of the mountain shows clear smoke poles in the city because of the clashes and shelling currently underway, and there is no truth to the news that the city is liberated or free of civilians.' (via Al bab city and its neighbourhood coordination)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al-Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.5179666. 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 Bab (Aleppo), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV5821365352
    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 February 16th-17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Bab, one strike destroyed a decoy tactical vehicle.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (2 children5 women)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS080

Incident date

February 15, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3709658, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 26 civilians including many women and children were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab.

Al Bab 24 posted on Facebook that “seven people were killed following Turkish air and artillery bombardment on Al Bab northeast of Aleppo.”

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu initially agreed with that reporting.

LCCSY said that 27 civilians in the Aleppo governorate were killed, most of them in Al Bab.

Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu and the Hezbollah outlet Almanar TV both reported 50 civilians dead, most of them women and children in Al Bab “during the last three days” from February 15.

HNN gave the highest death toll at 26 and listed the victims:

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Hasri
Age unknown male killed
Joumana al Taweel
Age unknown female killed
Rama al Masri
Child female killed
Sidra al Masri
Child female killed
Bilal al Masri
Child male killed
Abir al Shalal
Age unknown male killed
Abdo Mohamamd al Hasri
Child male killed
Radwan Mohammad al Hasri
Child male killed
Rahaf Mohammad al Hasri
Child male killed
Hasnaa Al Hasri
Age unknown female killed
Hasnaa Al Hasri's sister
Age unknown female killed
Ghassan al Hasri
Adult male killed
Ghassan al Hasri's wife
Adult female killed
Huda al Shawwaf
Age unknown female killed
Ahmad Hassan al Suweid
Adult male killed
Ahmad Hassan al Suweid's wife
Adult female killed
Ahmad Hassan al Suweid's child
Child male killed
Ahmad Hassan al Suweid's child
Child female killed
Ahmad Mahmoud al Suweid
Adult male killed
Abd al Ghaffar Nassani's wife
Adult female killed
Abd al Ghaffar Nassani's child
Child female killed
Abd al Ghaffar Nassani's child
Child female killed
Abd al Ghaffar Nassani's child
Child male killed
Abd al Ghaffar Nassani's child
Child male killed
Mustapha al Sweid
Age unknown male killed
Fatima Khaled al Kahhat
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 26
  • (12 children3–8 women2–6 men)
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3709658, 37.5179666. 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
    7 – 26
  • (12 children3–8 women2–6 men)
  • 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

CS489 TS079

Incident date

February 13, 2017

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, New Street, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3705393, 37.5151107

Airwars assessment

At least 15 civilians from the same family died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes, as the battle to seize Al Bab from ISIL continued. Up to nine other non-combatants also died.

Al Jazeera initially placed the death toll at 16 and then 24, though said the fatalities resulted from “shelling and battles in the city.” The Syrian Network blamed the Coalition for the deaths of “17 civilians, including 3 children and 5 women”, while LCCSY reported “21 martyrs in Aleppo killed in Turkish air and artillery bombardment on al Bab.”

According to Shaam News “Al A’amaq agency [ISIL] reported that Turkish aircraft and aircraft of the international coalition launched more than 20 air raid on the city’s neighborhoods, as has been targeting residential neighborhoods with more than 250 artillery shells and grenades.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male son of Ahmad Abdo Kazkaz killed
Age unknown male son of Mohammad Ali Kazkaz killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 24
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 17 were killed and others wounded due to warplane raid targeted the new street in Al-Bab.
  • One of the victims (via Al Bab 24)
  • One of the victims (via Al Bab 24)
  • One of the victims (via Al Bab 24)
  • One of the victims (via Al Bab 24)
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 Bab (Aleppo), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3049224538
    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 February 12th-13th 2017 the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity of Al Bab.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 24
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS487 TS078

Incident date

February 12, 2017

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Turkish or Coalition airstrike on al Bab killed up to 15 civilians, according to multiple reports.

The Syrian Network blamed the US-led alliance, reporting that “8 civilians, including a child and 2 women, died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Al Bab city.” Syrian News Desk, Manbij Direct and Al Bab 24 all blamed Turkey.

However Al Bab 24 later reported that “The family of Mohammad Dib Bakkour are well and they are outside the city. We apologise for publishing news of their killing.”

Regardless of this correction, reports from the Violations Documentation Center in Syria and Halab Today Tv identified Turkey as the culprit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Ahmad Bathish
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 12
  • (1 child2 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video, published on March 10th, listing those killed in a previous alleged Turkish shelling on Al Bab: 'Abd al Rahim Bakkour, Mohamamd Dib Bakkour and his wife, Kafaa Najjar, Aliya Bakkour, Mahmoud A’kkam, Mazen A’kkam.'
  • Translation: 15 martyrs in Al-Bab and others wounded due to Turkish warplanes shelling. Abd al Qader Waki the son of Yusuf and his entire family Mazen Akkam -Mahmoud Akkam Mohammad Adib Bakkour and his family Ahmad Hashem and his mother Ibrahim ahmad Juma’a ( two days ago due to artillery shelling) Hussein Jabuli Ahmad Bathish.
  • Ahmad Bathish (via Al-Bab 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al-Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.5179666. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 11th-12th 2017 the Coalition reported: “Near Al Bab, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a heavy machine gun.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 12
  • (1 child2 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS077

Incident date

February 7, 2017

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.496944, 36.598333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent named the following one civilian as wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Shya, Syria:

‘Hassan Suleiman Omar, 60, a shrapnel in the eye’

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Shya, Afrin (شيا عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.496944, 36.598333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English

Incident Code

TS076

Incident date

January 7, 2017

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

Six civilians were reported killed and 16 more injured because of Turkish shelling of Al Bab, Syria, according to a single source.

Syria News Desk wrote: “Six civilians were killed and 16 others wounded last night after Turkish artillery targeted residential areas near the Al Manshiya roundabout in the city centre of Al Bab in coordination with opposition factions and a Turkish army attack on the western neighbourhoods.”

Noon Post also reported artillery shelling in Al Bab but did not mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ 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
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS075

Incident date

February 6, 2017

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 12 and 47 civilians, likely from one family, reportedly died in an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Bab, Syria.

LCCSY reported that there was a total of 26 dead in Aleppo on that day, the majority of which in Aleppo and the rest in Al Bab.

The Syrian Network of Human Rights said that “19 civilians, including five children under the age of 18 and four females were killed in shelling by the Turkish forces and warplanes on areas in Al Bab city.”

Alaraby provided the highest toll with 47 civilians dead resulting from over 300 shells that fell on Al Bab. Additionally, 20 people were still expected to be under rubble.

Al Bab 24 reported 27 dead and 30 injured and listed the names.

It added that there might be more victims under the rubble.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Al Ghawi family member
Age unknown killed
Al Ghawi family member
Age unknown killed
Al Ghawi family member
Age unknown killed
Al Ghawi family member
killed
Al Ghawi family member
Age unknown killed
Al Ghawi family member
killed
Al Ghawi family member
Age unknown killed

Family members (5)

Family member of Abdallah Hattab
Age unknown Killed while fleeing the city killed
Family member of Abdallah Hattab
Age unknown Killed while fleeing the city killed
Family member of Abdallah Hattab
Age unknown Killed while fleeing the city killed
Family member of Abdallah Hattab
Age unknown Killed while fleeing the city killed
Family member of Abdallah Hattab
Age unknown Killed while fleeing the city killed

Family members (6)

Mohammad Tayssir Taleb
Adult male killed
Wife of Mohammad Tayssir Taleb
Adult female killed
Said, son of Mohammad Tayssir Taleb
Child male killed
Abd al Basset, son of Mohammad Tayssir Taleb
Child male killed
Daughter of Mohammad Tayssir Taleb
Child female killed
Daughter of Mohammad Tayssir Taleb
Child female killed

Family members (4)

Razzouk al Khudar
Adult male killed
Wife of Razzouk al Khudar
Adult female killed
Child of Razzouk al Khudar
Child killed
Child of Razzouk al Khudar
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Abdallah Hattab
Age unknown male Killed while fleeing the city killed
Ibtissam al Baqi
Age unknown female Killed while fleeing the city killed
Ahmad, son of Hajj Abdallah Abu Kasha
Child Injured in Al Bab a few days ago killed
Khalil Mansour
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 47
  • (5–7 children3–4 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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]

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
    12 – 47
  • (5–7 children3–4 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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

TS074

Incident date

February 6, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, Ahmad Bathish died in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Al Bab, Syria.

Al Bab 24 wrote that “Ahmad Bathish died following Turkish shelling on Al Bab today [Feb 6th].”

Al Bab Coordination also named him in a victims’ list posted on Facebook – but didn’t identify who was responsible for his death.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Bathish
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Bathish, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Al Bab, 6th Feb 2017. (via Al Bab 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.5179666. 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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]