Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

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Incident Code

TS317

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

بركي, Pirikê, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.237153, 42.185783 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

@c1wan tweeted:  “A shepherd named Xelîl Seîd Hemkê Kurd lost his life after the Turkish army attacked the village of Pirikê with a howitzer. An Assyrian citizen named Danî Hena was also injured.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said: “A civilian who was grazing livestock was killed in shelling launched by the Turkish Forces on the outskirts of Qasr Dib village in the al-Malkiyyeh countryside.”

However, @serdar_melah and @kamaloskan and several other sources said that Xelîl Seîd Hemkê was killed by “a Turkish sniper”.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Xelîl Seîd Hemkê Kurd
Adult male A shepherd killed
Danî Hena
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: "A shepherd named Xelîl Seîd Hemkê Kurd lost his life after the Turkish army attacked the village of Pirikê with a howitzer. An Assyrian citizen named Danî Hena was also injured."

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Pirke (Pirikê/بركي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.237153, 42.185783. 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, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS349

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

Xanike ، بين ‎الدرباسية و عامودا‎, Xanike, between Dirbêsiyê and Amûde, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.095082, 40.774808 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

@c1wan tweeted: “A civilian martyr was killed in the village of Xanike between Dirbêsiyê and Amûde as a result of the cannon shootings of the Turkish army.”

@dersm_arin also reported one civilian death.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Xanike, allegedly between the cities of Dirbêsiyê (‎الدرباسية) and Amûdê (عامودا‎).Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these two locations are: 37.095082, 40.774808.

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Xanike, allegedly between the cities of Dirbêsiyê (‎الدرباسية) and Amûdê (عامودا‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
  • 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

TS370

Incident date

October 26, 2019

Location

أبو هيا, Abu Haya, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.591618, 38.702860 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian aged 80 was reported injured after being shot allegedly by Turkey-back militants in Abu Haya, Tal Abyad in Raqqa Governorate on October 26th, 2019 according to local sources.

The civilian was identified as Jesus Khelil who according to ANF News, was shot in front of his house. Other sources said the civilian was going towards Meqtera village grazing his sheep, when he was shot.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jesus Khelil
80 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Free Syrian Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • An 80 year- old civilian was reported shot dead by Turkey backed militants in Abu Heye, Tal Abyad in Raqqa on October 26 2019 (via ANF)
  • 80 year-old man injured after being allegedly shot in front of his house by Turkey-backed militants in Ras Al Ain (via ANHA)
  • An 80 year old civilian allegedly shot by Turkish forces or Turkey-backed militants in Raqqa on October 26th, 2019 (Via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abu Haya (أبو هيا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.591618, 38.702860. 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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • 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 attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Free Syrian Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS388

Incident date

November 9, 2019

Location

الهيشة, Al Hishah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.350000, 39.016667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and five others injured in an alleged Turkish forces drone strike on a group of civilians who worked in collecting cotton in Hishe/Kisha village, Ain Issa, Raqqa Governorate in Syria on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources.

Hanî Ehmed Al-Rawî (25) was reported among the killed in the attack and Elî Hemîd al-Khilal (45), Tariq al-Ehmed (30), Mihemed al-Ehmed (29) and Hemûd al-Ehmed (20) were among the injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hanî Ehmed El-Rawî هاني أحمد الراوي
25 years old male killed
Elî Hemîd El-Hîlal علي حميد الهلال
45 years old male injured
Tariq El-Ehmed طارق الأحمد
30 years old male injured
Mihemed El-Ehmed محمد الأحمد
29 years old male injured
Hemûd El-Ehmed حمود الأحمد
20 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]

  • Civilians reported killed and injured by an alleged Turkish drone strike on workers collecting cotton in Ain Issa on November 9th, 2019 (via ANHA)
  • Civilians reported killed and injured by an alleged Turkish drone strike on workers collecting cotton in Ain Issa on November 9th, 2019 (via ANHA)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Hishah (الهيشة), for which the coordinates are: 36.350000, 39.016667. 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
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

TS329A

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.848579, 40.073576 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Th Kurdish Red Crescent reported that a child aged 11 was injured in the head in Ras Al Ain, Syria on October 12th, 2019 as a result of the Turkey operation.

No further details available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Abdullah Abdu
11 years old male KRC injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ras Al Ain (رأس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.848579, 40.073576. 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
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS429

Incident date

April 4, 2020

Location

The road between Efdikê and Kopirlik, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.684904, 38.764007 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

ANHA reported that Turkish forces targeted a civilian car on the road between Tal Abyad and the village of Avidko in Raqqa, Syria on April 4th, 2020 leading to the injury of a civilian. ANF later said three civilians were in the car and that they got injured.

It was reported also that Turkey-backed militants kidnapped the injured civilian and took him to an unknown destination.

No further information is available at the moment.

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

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports on the incident mention the road between the villages of Efdikê and Kopirlik for which the generic coordinates are: 36.684904, 38.764007. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports on the incident mention the road between the villages of Efdikê and Kopirlik.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS446

Incident date

August 17, 2020

Location

M4 غرب عين عيسى, M4, West of Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.385278, 38.859444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Deaths and injuries among civilians were reported by local sources as a result of alleged Turkish forces and Turkey-backed militants shelling of Ain Issa, in Raqqa, Syria on August 17th, 2020.

While most sources reported that two civilians were wounded, others reported deaths without a specific number.

@dersi4m tweeted that ‘theTurkish army and it’s jihadist groups shelled this evening the villages Abu Sira, Dibis and the surrounding of the Highway M4 in western of Ain Issa town.Two civilians have been wounded (ANHA).’

@RojavaSiyamend said that ‘Turkish forces bombard Ain Issa town areas with heavy weapons, directly targeting civilians. There are wounded and dead.’

No further information is available yet.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention areas being struck along the M4 highway, among them Abu Surra (ابو سيرا) and Dibis, in the western vicinity of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) town. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ain Issa are: 36.385278, 38.859444.

  • Reports of the incident mention areas being struck along the M4 highway, among them Abu Surra (ابو سيرا) and Dibis, in the western vicinity of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) town.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI038A

Incident date

June 17, 2020

Location

كيلكا, Kilka , Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.228473, 43.438437 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kilka village in Kani Masi.

According to Darkamazi, “Another citizen named Amin Salah Hasan in the Kani Masi area was exposed to the air strikes of the Turkish occupation, and his body was found today by the people of the region on the water springs in the village, knowing that the area is under the control and hegemony of Albukk.”

His body was found on June 19th, 2020 but it is unclear exactly when he was killed. Rudaw said “The body of the young Amin Salah, 27, was found in the village of Kilka belonging to Kanye Masi, after he had been missing two days ago, and his body was found today. He was martyred due to the Turkish shelling. ”

No further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amin Salah Hasan أمين صلاح حسن
27 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kilka (كيلكا), allegedly located within the district of Kani Masi (كاني ماسي). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Kani Masi are: 37.228473, 43.438437.

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]