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

TS578

Incident date

December 15, 2022

Location

بوبان, Boban, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.895660, 38.196537 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 15th 2022, two civilians – two brothers – were reportedly severely injured following live bullets shot by Turkish forces in Boban village (Boban Saghrir village), West of Kobane. Sources described Turkish forces’ firing as “indiscriminate”.

Fawaz Ossi, 31 years old was allegedly shot in the stomach while he was renovating his house. When his brother Farhad tried to help him, he had an accident and hit his head. The incident occurred at 5 am local time according to local sources. The two brothers were taken to Al-Amal Hospital, in Kobane city, for treatment. ANHA said that “according to preliminary information, their health condition is critical, and they have been admitted to intensive care after undergoing surgeries”.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Fawaz Ossi فواز أوسي
31 years old male injured
Farhad Ossi فرهاد أوسي
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fawaz Ossi was reportedly shot in the stomach by live bullets fired by Turkish forces on December 15th 2022 in Boban village. Photo: ANHA عربية
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fawaz Ossi reportedly shot in the stomach by live bullets fired by Turkish forces on December 15th 2022 in Boban village. Photo: كوباني مباشر_Kobanê live
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fawaz Ossi, a Syrian civilian was reportedly shot in the stomach by live bullets fired by Turkish forces on December 15th 2022 in Boban village. His brother came to help and hurt his head in an accident. The source does not precise the identity of the person wounded here. Photo: يارسان روج Barsan Rouje

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Boban (بوبان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.895660, 38.196537. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS580

Incident date

December 17, 2022

Location

رقاص, Raqas, Al-Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.693096, 38.950612 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 17th 2022, at least three civilians, including a child, were reportedly killed and between one to three were injured by a Turkish drone strike on a group of civilians in Raqas village, in Tel Abyad district, Al-Raqqa province. The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces said the incident occurred at 1:30 p.m.

Sources identified the child killed as Wesi Muhammad Wesi, 10-12 years old. SOHR claimed that the strike targeted a car driving by a SDF military position. Only SOHR mentionned “information about the death of an unidentified fourth person”, without further precisions. ANHA added that in total, three were killed and one injured. Sources recorded between one to three injured. The injured were taken to hospitals in Al-Raqqa city for treatment.

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

The victims were named as:

Wesi Muhammad Wesi ويسي محمد ويسي
10-12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The child identified as Wesi Muhammad Wesi reportedly killed by a Turkish strike on December 17th 2022 in Raqas village. Photo: ANHA عربية
  • Image following a reported Turkish drone strike on December 17th 2022 in Raqas village. Photo: NPA

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Raqas (رقاص), allegedly located north-west of Tell Abyad (تل ابيض). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tell Abyad are: 36.693096, 38.950612.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS581

Incident date

December 22, 2022

Location

كوباني , Zor Maghar, west of Ain Al-Arab( kobani), countryside of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On December 22nd 2022, three civilians, working for the Water Directorate in Kobani, were reportedly injured while doing maintenance work by Turkish artillery or heavy weapons in Zor Maghar village (or Sheikh Fawqani village or Al-Shuyukh village), west of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The wounded were taken to Al-Amal hospital for treatment, located in Kobani city. Another source added that the shelling caused the destruction of a car and damage to a water station. Another civilian – a man, was allegedly injured in Jarqali village, west of Kobani, earlier the same day, by Turkish shelling.

The three maintenance workers injured were identified by local sources as Muslim Khalil Ismail (also referred to as “Muslim Hamo”), Bozan Sheikh Nabi, and Fadel Bazar. A medical source said that “their injuries ranged from serious to superficial” and that they were “under health monitoring in the intensive care unit”, while a source quoting the official website of the Autonomous Administration, said the injuries were “critical”.  According to two co-chairs of the Kobani Water Directorate of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), “the injured are workers and supervisors of water pumps that push water from the Euphrates River to Kobani, and their usual work is to supervise and maintain the pumps.” SOHR claimed “four civilians” were “seriously injured”. No details were provided regarding the identity of the fourth civilian injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muslim Khalil Ismail (Muslim Hamo)
55 years old male injured
Bozan Sheikh Nabi
48 years old male injured
Fadel Bazar
49 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • In front of al-Amal Hospital in Kobani city, families of civilians working for the Water Directorate who were reportedly injured in Turkish shelling on December 22nd 2022. Photo: NPA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the three civilians in Al-Amal hospital, Kobani city, after being reportedly injured by Turkish artillery while doing maintenance in a water station on December 22nd 2022. Photo: ANHA English
  • A car was destroyed by a reported Turkish shelling close to Kobani city on December 22nd 2022. Source: Hawarnes
  • A water station was reportedly damaged by Turkish shelling in Kobani countryside on December 22nd 2022. Photo: Ezdina
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Three workers from Kobani Water Directorate were injured during a Turkish strike by heavy weapons" Source: ANHA

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS582

Incident date

December 24, 2022

Location

خزيموك, Khazimuk, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.051958, 41.582651 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 24th 2022, four civilians, three women and a child, were reportedly injured by a Turkish drone targeting a poultry farm. The attack was recorded at around noon, in Mezkift village (Mazkaft village) or near Khazimuk village, north of Hassakeh.

The women wounded were identified as Aisha Khalaf Ali, Jawaher Khaled Muhammad, Thawrat Al-Matar, and the child as Reham Azzam Al-Ali. They were reportedly working in the farm when the strike occurred. The injured were taken by Kurdish Red Crescent teams to a hospital in the district.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Aisha Khalaf Ali
Adult female injured
Jawaher Khaled Muhammad
Adult female injured
Thawrat Al-Matar
Adult female injured
Reham Azzam Al-Ali
Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "4 people, including a child wounded in Turkish drone attack 4 people, including a child, were wounded by a Turkish occupation army drone on the eastern countryside of Tirbe Spi district of Qamishlo canton in northeastern Syria." Source: ANHA English
  • Alleged pieces of a Turkish drone following its reported strike on a farm on December 24th 2022. Photo: NPA
  • "Four injured in a Turkish bombing in Tirbi Spiyyah". Photo: arta.fm

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khazimuk (خزيموك), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.051958, 41.582651. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS583

Incident date

December 25, 2022

Location

تنب, Tenab, Afrin, Syria

Geolocation

36.496130, 37.003320 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 25th 2022, a child was reportedly killed and between one to two civilians including a a child and a young man were reportedly injured by Turkish artillery shelling on a house in Tenab village (Tanab village), Shara district, Afrin. The attack also led to material damage.

Local sources identified the child killed as Asaad Mahameed (16 years old), and one of  the injured as his relative Ahmed Mahameed (17-18 years old). The second civilian injured was identified as Khaled Sheikh Taha (16 years old). However, several local sources recorded two civilians injured following the attack, while Ghadb Al-Shimal said one child was killed and a young man injured. SOHR claimed that Turkish forces launched a guided missile from Jabel village in Sherawa district.

ANHA added that the two injured were first taken to Tal Rifaat Hospital, and then to Afrin in al-Shahba district. The same source, quoting the director of Afrin hospital, said that one of them was seriously injured and transported to Aleppo for treatment. He said this choice was also due to lack of medical equipments and supplies in Afrin hospitals. The other one, whose injuries were qualified as “minor”, was later “discharged and taken home”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Asaad Mahameed أسعد محاميد
16 years old male killed
Ahmed Mahameed أحمد محاميد
17-18 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Khaled Sheikh Taha خالد الشيخ طه
16 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures of the child reportedly killed and the two other civilians injured, including a child, following reported Turkish shelling in Tenab village. Photo: Hawarnews
  • Picture following reported Turkish artillery shelling on Tanab village on December 25th 2022. Photo: آدار برس - Adar Press
  • Material damage following reported Turkish artillery shelling on Tenab village on December 25th 2022. Photo: آدار برس - Adar Press

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tenab (تنب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.496130, 37.003320. 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS584

Incident date

January 7, 2023

Location

الخالدية, Al Khalidiyah, Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.418139, 38.809811 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On January 7th 2023, a child was reportedly wounded in a Turkish drone attack on Al-Khalidiyah village, Ain Issa district. He was identified as 10 years old Ali Khalifa Al-Ali. Sources added that he was injured in his left hand and was taken to hospital for treatment. Local sources reported the attack between 1 and 1:30 pm.

The incident occured between 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Ali Khalifa Al-Ali علي خليفة العلي
10 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the child reportedly injured by a Turkish drone strike in Al-Khalidiyah village Photo: ANHA English
  • The child Ali Khalifa Al-Ali allegedly injured in his left hand following a reported Turkish drone attack on January 7th 2023. Photo: وجيه درباس__Wecîh derbas

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Khalidiyah (الخالدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.418139, 38.809811. 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
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI090

Incident date

January 13, 2023

Location

قرية خليفان, Khalifan village, Erbil, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Two children were injured when Turkish forces allegedly shot them in the village of Khalifan on January 13, 2022.

Alyaum TV reported that two children were injured while grazing cattle in the “Khalifan” area of the “Sidkan” district when Turkish forces shot them. Hawar News (quoting Roj News Agency) added that the children were shot with live bullets and Ronahi TV added that the children were taken to the hospital.

Kurdistan24 provided the names of the children as Lazim Murad Hamadamin and Bahzad Awdi Yusif, referring to them as “shepherds.” Ehsan Chalabi, Mayor of Sidekan, told Kurdistan24 that the two injured civilians were in stable condition.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shooting to the Turkish armed forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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]

  • Image of two children injured when Turkish forces allegedly shot them in Khalifan village on January 13, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Two children being treated for their injuries after Turkish forces shot them on January 13, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan24)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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

TS585

Incident date

January 18, 2023

Location

القحطانية , Al-Qahtaniya Road in the countryside of Al-Hassakah, Al-Hassakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including a child died from injuries sustained during an alleged Turkish drone strike on Al-Qahtaniya Road in Al-Hasakah on January 18, 2023. One other civilian may have also been injured.

On January 18th 2023, a civilian was reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike on a vehicle Al-Qahtaniya Road, in Al-Hasakah countryside. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) added that the civilian killed was the driver and that the attack occurred in the afternoon.

According to Hawar News, one of the civilians wounded is named Ahmed Al-Salem, a 45 year old from the village of Girê Merk who was near the vehicle that was struck with the drone. Hawar News added that others were injured at the time, and that Ahmed was taken to a hospital in Qamishlo for treatment.

On January 20th, SOHR announced that a 12 year old child died of the wounds he sustained in the drone strike of the car. برجاف – FM added that this brought the death toll to two.

Hawar News provided the name of the child killed: Ahmed Abdel-Ghani Al-Salem. Hawar added that Ahmed received an injury to his head from shrapnel and later died from his injuries, adding that he was from the villages of the countryside of Tal Hamid district and that his family had been working on the Ari farm, which is close to the strike location. It is unclear if the child Ahmed is the same person as the injured man earlier referenced by Hawar with the wrong age or if the two victims are related.

On January 24th, SOHR announce another civilian had died of wounds sustained during the attack. Hawar News provided the name of the civilian that died: Abd al-Rahman Hussein Hussam, from the village of Kahnia Dreij in the Kujarat district of Derik district. SOHR added that Abd had been it by shrapnel in the head as well.

ANF reported the location of the strike as occurring on the road to Qamishlo and Derik at the “Ari” rest house at the junction of the village of Ma’shouq. All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the casualties to Turkish drones.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Al-Salem
45 years old injured
Ahmed Abdel-Ghani Al-Salem أحمد عبد الغني السالم
12 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Rahman Hussein Hussam عبد الرحمن حسين
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

  • ANHA correspondent said that the citizen who was wounded on the Turkish attack on the Qamishlo-Derik road, is called Ahmed Al-Salem.
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of Al-Qahtaniya Road on January 18, 2022. (Image posted by ANF)
  • Another injured person died in an air attack of the Turkish occupation on the Qamishlo-Derik road on January 18, succumbing to his wounds.

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
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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]