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

TS041

Incident date

January 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 six and ten civilians died and up to 30 more were wounded in alleged Turkish air and artillery strikes on Al Bab, Syria, local media reported.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least six civilians died and others were wounded – including children – in Turkish strikes on Al Bab – though it was unclear whether the report referred to a separate incident on January 7th.

An IS propaganda source, Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu, put the death toll at eight with 13 more wounded in “Turkish air and artillery shelling on the neighbourhoods of al Bab, north east of Aleppo.”

A Tweet by Jason_Alassad also blamed Turkey, reporting that 10 civilians died and more than 30 were wounded in the attack, which occurred on “Friday morning [i.e. January 6th].”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–30
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 10 civilians were killed and more than 30 injured in the city of Bab east# Aleppo, as a result of the targeting of the flight # Turkish-occupation to the east of the city on Friday morning [i.e. 6th] (via @JasonAlassad)

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 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–30
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS238

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

هيلجار جنديرس, Hijlar, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.385278, 36.717778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between eight and 10 civilians died and up to 16 more were wounded in alleged Turkish air and artillery strikes on Hijlar, Jindires.

According to Rok news, “Turkish forces carried out a massacre of civilians in the village of Hujailar in the countryside of northwestern Syria, field sources said. The sources confirmed Turkish artillery had targeted the houses of civilians and their vehicles, killing eight civilians and wounding 12 others.”

Rok and other sources claimed that Turkish forces had “kidnapped” the wounded and transported the dead bodies to Hattai in an attempt to “hide” the “massacre”.

The pro-Syrian regime source Syriaalasad put the death toll at 10 with 16 more injured.

Xeber 24 added that the YPG had attacked Turkish forces in the area, reporting that “the People’s and Women’s Protection Units carried out a qualitative operation in the village of Hjilar in the Jandrissa district. The sources confirmed that nine Turkish soldiers were killed and another eight wounded”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–16
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hijlar, Jindires, Afrin (هيلجار جنديرس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.385278, 36.717778. 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
    8 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–16
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS036

Incident date

December 31, 2016

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 six and 11 civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab, Syria.

LCCSY wrote: “11 martyrs in Aleppo most killed in Al-Bab city due to Turkish bombardment.”

Al Bab Al Hadath reported that all 11 people were killed in Al Bab: “11 killed and 28 wounded, the majority are children and women, due to Turkish warplanes shelling Al-Bab.”

An alleged ISIS propaganda Facebook page “Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu”, posted a graphic video of seriously burnt children allegedly from the shelling by Turkish planes. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khawlah Abo Kisheh
Adult female killed
Ibtihal Abo Kisheh
Adult female killed
Sabah Abo Kisheh
Child killed
Ahmad Abo Kisheh
Child male killed
Unidentified Child
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    28
  • 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 (7) [ 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 – 11
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    28
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS037 RS1814

Incident date

January 1, 2017

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and 11 civilians were reported killed in alleged air and artillery shelling on Tedef. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. According to Syrianewsdesk however, “the shelling on Tadef killed eight people, including five civilians and others belonging to the organisation (Turkish armed forces)”. Between six and ten civilians were wounded in the raid. Only two sources blamed Russian warplanes including LCCSY and Kawakibi Human Rights Organisation. Many others blamed the Syrian regime for the shelling and the rest have attributed blame to Turkey. 

Ara News gave the lowest death count: “Turkish artillery targeted residential areas in Tedef which killed a civilian and injured eight others”.

Jisr TV accused the Syrian regime of the attack, saying that “five civilians were killed and wounded in a massacre by the regime in the town of Tedef, Aleppo.”

Abass2233 posted on Twitter that “five civilians were killed and others injured as a result of artillery shelling from the Euphrates Shield forces targeting the town of Tedef in the eastern Aleppo countryside.”

LCCSY reported 11 people were killed and blamed Russia for the attack.

According to sources, wounded civilians were transported to medical facilities following the raid. Additionally, it was made clear by sources on the ground that some of the wounded were critically so.

Syrianewsdesk specified that as many as 50 shells were dropped on Tedef, with 10 of them targeting residential housing on the outskirts of the town.

The incident occured at 14:15:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Karim Kenan
Age unknown male killed
Omar Hamsho
Age unknown male killed
Yousef Abdul Qadir Al - Sheikh
Age unknown male killed
Son of Ahmed Yousef Hamsho
Age unknown male killed
Son of Mohammed Yousef Hamsho
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 11
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Report on the five civilians killed and others wounded in the town of Tadef, Aleppo due to alleged alleged Turkish, Russian and Syrian regime raids. (via JisirTV)
  • The aftermath of an alleged alleged Turkish, Russian and Syrian regime airstrike in Tadef, 1st January 2017. (via Kawakibi Human Rights Organisation Documentation)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition, Syrian regime and Russian airstrike in Tadef, 1st January 2017. (via Kawakibi Human Rights Organisation)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of the alleged Turkish, Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tadef, 1st January 2017. (via Abo Alforat)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured victim of the alleged Turkish, Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tadef, 1st January 2017. (via Abo Alforat)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tadef, Aleppo (تادف), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.34857, 37.531501. 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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 11
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS038

Incident date

January 3, 2016

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

According to local sources, 11 civilians were killed and 26 injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Al Bab, Syria.

Al Jazeera posted on Twitter that “11 people were killed and 26 wounded and an ambulance destroyed after Turkish bombardment of the city of Bab in the countryside of eastern Aleppo.”

Al Bab Al Hadath published a similar report.

Other sources like Smart News also reported airstrikes as well as artillery shelling but did not mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • 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]

  • 11 people were killed and 26 wounded and the destruction of an ambulance after the Turkish bombardment of the city of Bab in the countryside of eastern Aleppo (via AJASyria)
  • Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged Turkish airstrike on Al Bab, 3rd January 2017. (via Nadia Abdulaziz)

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
    11
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • 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

TS229

Incident date

February 26, 2018

Location

يلنقوز, Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.391667, 36.693056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians including children died and a minimum of three other civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish air strike on Yilanguz village, according to local media. The majority of sources said that a family of five died. One source (Evlin.Hassan) reported that “dozens were killed and wounded”.

IC Arrin Resistance tweeted a video in which the voiceover in Kurdish says: “the Turkish army committed another massacre in the town Jindiresse in Afrin, yesterday night at 3-4 a.m. Turkish warplanes bombed family houses, killing five civilians and wounding three more severely.”

In a second video, “a neighbour of the civilian victims states: ‘The Turkish warplanes only target civilians. There are no military forces here. The airstrikes have to be stopped!’”

ANHA and Rumaf also put the death toll at five, with Rumaf tweeting graphic images of the bodies of child victims.

Most sources put the death toll at five, though Yikiti Media said that two had died.

Rojava tweeted a video depicting “baby Clothes, children’s boots laying in the ruins and dust of Yelangoz village after Turkeys airstrikes and massacre on the village and its people today”.

According to the SDF press office, “Turkish invasion aircraft attacked the village of Yilanguz and targeted civilian houses, which carried out a massacre of civilians and children. The Kurdish Red Crescent teams are recovering the bodies from the rubble as of the time of preparing this report.”

Some other sources said that Turkey conducted artillery strikes on the village.

According to Evlin.Hassan, the death toll may have been even higher: it reported that there were “dozens of civilians killed and wounded.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–12
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilian casualties in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via SDF)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Evlin.Hassan)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Evlin.Hassan)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Evlin.Hassan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Evlin.Hassan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Evlin.Hassan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the remains of civilian casualties, killed in alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Rojava)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the remains of civilian casualties, killed in alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Rojava)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Anha)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, 26th February 2018. (via Anha)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin (يلنقوز), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.391667, 36.693056. 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
    2 – 12
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–12
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS413 TS020

Incident date

December 12, 2016

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

Twelve civilians were killed and up to 30 injured at al Bab in what local sources claimed was a ‘Coalition’ strike, but which may have been a result of Turkish-ISIS fighting.

Al A’maq, ISIS’s media wing, reported “12 dead and 30 injured, most of them women and children, following violent Turkish shelling with more than 150 missiles and rockets that fell on al Bab since this morning.” A video (since blocked) also showed a number of children being treated for serious injuries.

Ara News said that “Turkish forces shelled the city of al Bab and Tadef northeast of Aleppo, northern Syria, on Monday, and the shelling targeted civilian neighbourhoods.” The Syrian Observatory also blamed Turkish and Euphrates Shield forces.

However both Halab News and VDC blamed the US-led Coalition – which they may still have viewed Turkey as being an active member of.

Al Bab al Hadath said both Turkish and Coalition planes attacked the city, killing 12 including two families and injuring 20 civilians. In total it named twelve victims:

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mamdouh Noma
Adult male was killed with two of his girls killed
Daughter of Mamdouh Noma
Age unknown female killed
Second daughter of Mamdouh Noma
Age unknown female killed

Family members (1)

Al Boushi family
Age unknown 5 members were killed killed

The victims were named as:

Tarek Ahmad Zakkour al Alabi
15 years years old male killed
Omar Mohammad al Eido
16 years years old male killed
Mustapha Naqishbandi
Age unknown male killed
Alaa Hajjar
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (6 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • Al Bab following reported Turkish or Coalition strikes on December 12th 2016. (via Bab al Hadath)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims following reported Turkish or Coalition strikes on Al Bab, December 12th 2016. (via Al Bab al Hadath)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims following reported Turkish or Coalition strikes on Al Bab, December 12th 2016. (via Al Bab al Hadath)
  • Al Bab following reported Turkish or Coalition strikes on December 12th 2016. (via Bab al Hadath)
  • Al Bab following reported Turkish or Coalition strikes on December 12th 2016. (via Bab al Hadath)
  • Al Bab following reported Turkish or Coalition strikes on December 12th 2016. (via Bab al Hadath)
  • Al Bab following reported Turkish or Coalition strikes on December 12th 2016. (via Bab al Hadath)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of child being treated in hospital following alleged Turkish and Coalition raids on al Bab, 12th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of a child victim in hospital following an alleged Turkish and Coalition raid on al Bab, 16th December 2016. )via Khaled Shaban)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of a child victims in hospital following an alleged Turkish and Coalition raid on al Bab, 16th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of a male civilian casualty killed following an alleged Turkish and Coalition raid on al Bab, 16th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured children being treated in hospital following alleged Turkish and Coalition raids on al Bab, 12th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of child being treated in hospital following alleged Turkish and Coalition raids on al Bab, 12th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)
  • Photo of child being transported to hospital following alleged Turkish and Coalition raids on al Bab, 12th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)
  • Injured children being treated in hospital following alleged Turkish and Coalition raids on al Bab, 12th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)
  • Damaged building in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Bab, 12th November 2016. (via Halab today)
  • Damaged building in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Bab, 12th November 2016. (via Al Bab al Hadath facebook)

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.

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, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 11th-13th 2016 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
    12
  • (6 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS274

Incident date

March 14, 2018

Location

عفرين, Afrin city centre, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 5 and 11 civilians including up to four children died and up to 25 more were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre, according to local media in Syria.

Massoud Mohammad, a self-described journalist from Qamishli for Rojava, produced numerous reports on the event on Twitter. He put the death toll at five – including two children – with 25 more wounded.

One of his tweets said that Turkish artillery was randomly targeting residential neighbourhoods of Afrin city without care to any rules of war. He also tweeted a series of distressing images depicting casualties (many of them children) which were taken by journalist Azad Mirza @rojavapress1 who is covering the situation inside Afrin.

According to IC Afrin Resistance, at least 10 explosions were heard in the city. It added that despite the city is full of people, the attacks by the Turkish army were continuing. The source put the death count at six of which four were reportedly children, blaming Turkish airstrikes and shellings

Shervan Derwish (official spokesman for Manbij Military Council) put the death toll at seven, including one child, with 25 more non-combatants wounded.

The Boston Herald ran a story which mentioned the incident. It said: “Turkish forces shelled the Kurdish-held northern Syrian town of Afrin on Wednesday killing at least seven people, Kurdish forces reported Shells slammed into the heart of Afrin at dusk at intervals just second apart, forcing residents to rush for cover, according to the video published by the People’s Protection Units, known as the YPG.”

The highest death count was given by ANF, who reported the death of a family of 11 including two children and the wounding of the rest of the family.

ANHA named one fatality. Later ANF revealed two other.

Additionally, sources named 10 civilians who were wounded followed the incident.

In addition to two others, who were not identified. One who is 45 years old and the other a 6-year-old child.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aziz
40 years old male killed
Kajin Ali
4 years old male Via ANF killed
Mihemed Qishle
6 years old male Via ANF killed
Zahida Ali
30 years old female Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Afreen Abdo
40 years old female Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Jafat Mohammed Bako
30 years old female Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Roshin Abdel Hanan Ebo
37 years old female Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Abdel-Henan Ibo
76 years old Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Fatima Horo Hassan
47 years old female Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Zainab Manan Kulin
32 years old female Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Qusay Abu Omar
26 years old Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Rania Hamada Mohammed
20 years old female Via Afrin now facebook post injured
Marouf Dalkash
17 years old Via Afrin now facebook post injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 12
  • (2–4 children2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–44
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows fire followed an alleged Turkish airstrike or shelling on Afrin city centre (source: Hawar news)
  • An image shows fire in a residential area inside the city centre of Afrin followed an alleged Turkish airstrike or shelling (source: Hawar news)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows Aziz, 40 years old, killed followed an alleged Turkish airstrike or shelling on Afrin city centre (source: Hawar news)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows the two identified children 1- Kajin Ali & Mihemed Qishle, killed followed the alleged Turkish airstrike on (source: ANF New)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a body lies in the rubble following an alleged Turkish airstrike or shelling on Afrin city centre (via Peshmerga Chali‏)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the victim Abdullah Bakr, 49 years, at the medical centre, injured following an alleged Turkish airstrike or artillery of Afrin city centre (source: ANHA)
  • A picture shows a damaged car followed an alleged Turkish airstrike or shelling on Afrin city centre (Source: Aire-cudi)
  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike or shelling by allegedly Turkish Army on Afrin city centre (Source: Aire-cudi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child, injured following an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre (Source: Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child being treated at the medical centre following an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre (Source: Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child, killed following an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre (Source: Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a child, injured following an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre (Source: Massoud Mohammad)
  • An image shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Turkish shelling "airstrikes and artillery" of Afrin city centre (Source: Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a man being treated at the medical centre following an alleged Turkish shelling "airstrikes and artillery" of Afrin city centre (Source: Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a woman being treated at the hospital, following an alleged Turkish shelling "airstrikes and artillery" of Afrin city centre (Source: Massoud Mohammad)
  • An image shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Turkish shelling "airstrikes and artillery" of Afrin city centre (Source: Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child being treated at the medical centre following an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre (source: Afrin now facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a man at the medical centre, injured following an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre (source: Afrin now facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a child being treated at the medical centre following an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre (source: IC Afrin resistance)
  • An injured civilian is carried in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian receives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian receives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via Massoud Mohammad)
  • An injured civilian receives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via Massoud Mohammad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian receives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via Massoud Mohammad)
  • An injured civilian receives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via IC afrin resistance)
  • An injured civilian receives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via IC afrin resistance)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian receives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via IC afrin resistance)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath. (via ANF )

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    A video showing the exact moments the alleged Turkish airstrikes hit Afrin and the civilian casualties in the aftermath of the incident. (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian receives medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Afrin, 14th March 2018. (via Afrin Now)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin city centre (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. 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
    5 – 12
  • (2–4 children2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–44
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]