Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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
text search
814 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

TS592

Incident date

May 3, 2023

Location

بحيره, Bahira, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.108679, 40.862353 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 49 year old man was allegedly shot and injured by Turkish border guards in the village of Bahira on May 3, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a civilian was wounded by live bullets fired by the Turkish army. A relative of the injured civilian told a Hawar reporter that live bullets fired between 14:00 and 14:30 injured Abdelaziz Darbo, 49, in the village of Bahira. The bullet struck Abdelaziz in the back while he was watering his agricultural land, which was reported as not located along the Turkish border. He was taken to the People’s Hospital (Al-Shaab Hospital) in Amuda district. Hawar reported that at the time of publishing, Abdelaziz had been released from the hospital and was in stable condition. Xeber24 and ANF reported similar details.

The three sources that reported on the incident attributed the shooting to border guards.

The incident occured between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdelaziz Darbo
49 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bahira (بحيره), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.108679, 40.862353. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS593

Incident date

May 11, 2023

Location

تل اللبن, Tel Al Laban, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.614166, 40.199445 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and four other civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Tal Al Laban around 10am on May 11, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a civilian was killed and four others were wounded when Turkish forces bombarded the village of Tal Al Laban. Hawar also published the names of the civilian killed: Muhammad Abdel-Fattah Hussein (38 years), and the names of the wounded: Khalis Haji Hudhaifa (35) years, Abdullah Ez al-Din Aliwi (27 years), Ibrahim Muhammad Kraff (38 years), Hafez Muhammad Kraff (27 years old). The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that the wounded sustained injuries to varying degrees and were taken to the hospital.

Zagros News added that the heavy artillery shelling also resulted in material losses to the properties and homes of civilians. All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkish forces.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Abdel-Fattah Hussein
38 years old killed
Khalis Haji Hudhaifa
35 years old injured
Abdullah Ez al-Din Aliwi
27 years old injured
Ibrahim Muhammad Kraff
38 years old injured
Hafez Muhammad Kraff
27 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Tal al-Laban on May 11, 2023. (Image posted by ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tel Al Laban (تل اللبن), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.614166, 40.199445. 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
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS594

Incident date

May 17, 2023

Location

جديدة, Jadeda, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.856194, 39.420054 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including at least one child, were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Jadeda village on May 17, 2023.

Rohani TV reported that Turkish forces bombarded Jadeda village, resulting in the injury of three civilians: Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa, his brother Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa, and Muhammad Salem Kamal. The director of the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa, Ibrahim al-Omar, told Rohani TV that their condition is stable.

North Press Agency also reported 3 civilians injured, and provided the age of two of the  victims : 17 year old Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa and 32 year old Kamal Mahmoud al-Wagaa (unclear if this is Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa or Muhammad Salem Kamal listed above). According to a medical source at the Emergency Department at the Raqqa National Hospital, both Mahmoud and Kamal were immediately admitted into the operating room and were in critical condition. A cousin of the third victim told North Press that he and his cousin were grazing their sheep when they were struck by Turkish artillery.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred to those injured in Jadeda village as two “tunnel workers” and a 13 year old boy.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa'
male injured
Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa'
male injured

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Salem Kamal
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jadeda (جديدة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.856194, 39.420054. 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 infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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

TS595

Incident date

May 17, 2023

Location

مخيم عين عيسى, Ain Issa camp, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.400501, 38.849306 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023.

Hawar News reported that during the second incident in Ain Issa district on May 17th, two civilians were injured when Turkish forces bombarded Ain Issa camp. Correspondents for Hawar added that the shelling caused an outbreak of fire in the camp, and firefighting teams could not reach the scene to put out the fire due to continuous shelling. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that both civilians injured were taken to the hospital to receive treatment, and an image posted by Hawar News shows two men being treated for injuries.

Ronahi TV provided the names of the injured: Muhammad Al-Balikh and Mahmoud Al-Jassem.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Al-Balikh محمد البليخ
Age unknown male injured
Mahmoud Al-Jassem محمود الجاسم
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Ain Issa Camp (مخيم عين عيسى) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.400501, 38.849306. 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 infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS596

Incident date

May 18, 2023

Location

الخاروفية, Al Kharofiya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.409744, 37.900613 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly man was killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Al-Kharofiya village on May 18, 2023.

A local source told a North Press Agency correspondent that a civilian was killed when a vehicle close to him on the road was struck by a drone. The source also provided the name of the civilian killed: Abd al-Wahhab al-Muhammad al-Haj Hamidi (70 years old) from Al-Kharofiya village.

The Syrian Democratic Forces Press Center published a statement with similar details, adding that the drone strike on a civilian car occurred at exactly 6:30pm and despite medical intervention, Abd died from his injuries. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the Turkish drone executed two strikes on a military car of the woman’s protection units, and the civilian was injured (and later died of his injuries) by shrapnel when he was trying to help those injured in the vehicle. The earlier strike left two military members injured, according to SOHR.

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

The incident occured at 18:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Wahhab al-Muhammad al-Haj Hamidi عبد الوهاب المحمد الحج حميدي
70 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Car struck by alleged Turkish drones on May 18, 2023. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Kharofiya (الخاروفية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.409744, 37.900613. 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
    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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS597

Incident date

May 28, 2023

Location

عفرين ، رأس العين ، اعزاز ، تل أبيض ، الباب ، جرابلس, Afrin, Ras Al Ain, Azaz, Tell Abyad, Al Bab, Jarablus, various regions, Syria

Geolocation

36.512278, 36.865389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

36.848621, 40.072403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map 36.586827, 37.048090 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map 36.691939, 38.951152 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map 36.372135, 37.516151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map 36.818970, 38.007554 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was killed and between 20 to 25 civilians, including two women and four children, were injured by alleged Turkish-back faction heavy gunfire around Afrin on May 28, 2023.

Hawar News initially reported that a child was killed and “a number of people, including women” were injured by gunfire from Turkish militia members while celebrating the re-election of Turkish president Erdogan. Hawar then updated their information to 25 injuries, including women and children, in Afrin district and then went on to specify that two people were injured near Al-Thura bakery, a woman was injured in Sajo camp in Azaz, and others were injured in the city of Sere Kaniye.

North Press Agency initially reported that three people were injured, specifically in Mahmudiyah camp in Afrin, but then revised their numbers to 20 people total wounded by stray bullets, including four children and two women. The source then clarified where the injuries occurred: “seven wounded in Afrin and its countryside north of Aleppo, four in Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) in the countryside of Hasakah, three each in the city of Azaz north of Aleppo and the city of Tel Abyad In the northern countryside of Raqqa, two in the city of al-Bab east of Aleppo, and one was wounded in Jarablus.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–25
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civilians injured by alleged Turkish gunfire in Afrin district on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the cities of Afrin (عفرين), Ras Al Ain (رَأْس ٱلْعَيْن), Azaz (أَعْزَاز), Tell Abyad (تَلّ أَبْيَض), Al Bab (الْبَاب), and Jarablus (جَرَابُلُس). The generic coordinates for Afrin are: 36.512278, 36.865389. The generic coordinates for Ras Al Ain are: 36.848621, 40.072403. The generic coordinates for Azaz are: 36.586827, 37.048090. The generic coordinates for Tell Abyad are: 36.691939, 38.951152. The generic coordinates for Al Bab are: 36.372135, 37.516151. The generic coordinates for Jarablus are: 36.818970, 38.007554. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the locations further.

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–25
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS598

Incident date

June 3, 2023

Location

الاصيلم, Al Asilem, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.401518, 39.190418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including a woman, were injured by an alleged Turkish drone attack on farmland in Al Asilem village, near the M4 road and north of Raqqa on June 3, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a 35 year old woman named Houriya Ayed Al-Daher and her 45 year old husband named Hussein Hammoud Al-Muhammad were injured in the attack when working on farmland and taken to hospital to receive treatment. Additional local sources provided similar casualty information, attributing the drone strikes to Turkish drones, with multiple sources referring to “explosive-laden drones.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hussein Hammoud Al-Muhammad
45 years old male injured
Houriya Ayed Al-Daher
35 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hussein Hammoud Al-Muhammad, 45 years old, injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on June 3, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Asilem (الاصيلم), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.401518, 39.190418. 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 infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS599

Incident date

June 12, 2023

Location

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.889115, 38.350168 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 3 civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish drone strike killed two Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters by a petrol station near the southern entrance of Kobani at 11:55am on June 12, 2023.

The North Press quoted a medical source at the al-Amal Hospital in Kobani city who reported that 22 year old male Alaa Abdurrazaq Ibrahim had their hand amputated while sustaining injuries to their liver and kidneys, 28 year old male Khabat Adham had their legs and a hand amputated, and 25 year old male Muhammad Bahjat Ayoub fractured their jaw and as of last reporting was receiving surgery for an injury to their main artery by their jaw. The medical source emphasized that all three of the men were seriously injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a total of five civilians were injured by the drone strike.

The two SDF fighters were reported to have been travelling on a motorcycle on the Kobani-Aleppo road when the strike occurred. Images shared by SOHR detail extensive damage to the motorcycle which was damaged to near unrecognition. At this time, no military has claimed the attack while all of the local sources attributed the strike to Turkish drones.

Both Hawar News and ANF identified the location of the strike as occurring on the Aleppo road at the southern entrance to Kobani, with SOHR specifying a gas station as the location.

The incident occured at 11:55:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Khabat Adham
28 years old male injured
Alaa Abdurrazaq Ibrahim
22 years old male injured
Muhammad Bahjat Ayoub
25 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
    3–5
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A motorcycle destroyed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Kobani on June 12, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • A Turkish drone bombed at 11:55 a.m. today, Monday; A motorcycle on the Aleppo road at the southern entrance to the city of Kobani.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kobani (كوباني), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.889115, 38.350168. 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
    3–5
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]