Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS084

Incident date

April 25, 2017

Location

المالكية, Several locations in al Malkiya, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.176729, 42.135643 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians werereportedly wounded in alleged Turkish strikes on Kurdish militias on Several locations in al Malkiya, according to a single source.

Reports said that between 20 and Kurdish forces were killed with up to 18 wounded; however, there were also some vague references to civilian harm – though it appears that most credible claims are of military casualties aside from two civilians injured, according to a report by AFP.

Mohammad al Khateeb [a Syrian journalist from Aleppo Medic centre] reported that “20 Kurdish security forces killed and 18 wounded by Turkish raids on Mount Karachuk in rural Hasaka” – according to a statement issued by the PKK.

Sherzad Omar published a Turkish army video of the raids on Mount Shangal and Mount Karajukh [kratchuk].

According to Euphrates Post: “The bombing resulted in the destruction of the headquarters of the Kurdish People Protection Units, in addition to the destruction of the Petra communication station and tower on Mount Karachuk and the radio tower and the destruction of the radio station ‘Voice Rojava’ belonging to the YPG units”.

Sharqiya Voice reported that “more than 70 Kurdish militia members were killed and more than 10 critical cases were transferred to al-Qamishli hospitals as a result of the Turkish air strikes on Mount Karkuk and a number of military points in the Maalik countryside and Mount Sinjar. No civilian casualties were reported.”

The spokesman for the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, Redor Khalil, told Akhbar al yaom that “the shelling also caused significant damage to the site and damage to civilian property near the target area”.

Rai al youm [quoting AFP] added that “there were 20 martyrs and 18 wounded from Kurdish units, three of them in critical condition. Additionally, two civilians were wounded, according to the official spokesman of the units, Redor Khalil”.

Ennabbaladi added that five members of the Peshmerga were killed “by mistake during the bombing”.

Rudaw published images showing “US military commanders visiting Mount Kratchuk in Direk in the Kurdistan region of Syria after it was hit by a Turkish bomb on Tuesday [April 25th].”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Several locations in al Malkiya (المالكية), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.176729, 42.135643. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • 'US military commanders visit Mount Kratchuk in Direk in the Kurdistan region of Syria after being hit by a Turkish bomb on Tuesday [April 25th]'. (via Rudaw)
  • Northern Hassaka - al Malkiya - in Kratchouk mountain after Turkish air force targeted YPG - photos showing the extent of the destruction caused to the positions of the separatist militias. The attack caused the total destruction of the building and around 20 dead and dozens injured -all members of the militia. (via EuphratesPost)
  • Turkish Army video f the raids on Mount Shangal and Mount Karajukh [kratchuk]. (via Sherzad Omar)
  • US aircrafts arrive at (Karachuk) mount after the latter was shelled by Turkish warplanes and the spokesman of YPG forces holds a press conference at the shelled site. (via Welat FM facebook)
  • Translation: northern hassaka countryside - a delegation from the international coalition accompanied by leaders from the kurdish militia units inspect the positions that were targeted by the Turkish air force. (via Euphrates Post facebook)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]