Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS439

Incident date

June 23, 2020

Location

Helincê, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.853527, 38.379450 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three women were killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a civilian residence in the Kurdish village of Helincê, Aleppo governorate, on June 23rd, 2020, according to local sources. Two civilians were wounded.

Kurdistan24 reported that “a Turkish drone strike on Tuesday evening killed three civilian females at a residence in the village of Helincê, located outside the northern Syrian city of Kobani, according to local security forces.”

@ElhamAhmadSDC reported that the three women were active as women’s rights activists. ANF identified two of the victims as Zehra Berkel and Emine Veysi. Hawar News reported that Berkel was a coordinating member of the Kongra Star women’s movement. Reportedly, it was Veysi’s house that was targeted. The third victim was identified as Mizgin Xelil.

According to @DefteraRes, two other civilians were wounded.

The General Command of the Kurdish-led Internal Security Forces (ISF) wrote in an official statement: “We in the General Command of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) for Northeast Syria condemn the crimes of the Turkish occupation against our people and we also call on the International Coalition and the Russian Federation to do their duty.”

All sources blamed Turkey for the attack.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

30 years old female coordinating member of the Kongra Star women’s movement killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Helincê, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.853527, 38.379450. 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
    3
  • (3 women)
  • 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 belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • The victims of the alleged Turkish drone strike on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via @ElhamAhmadSDC).
  • Damaged civilian property after alleged Turkish drone strikes on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Zehra Berkel (30) was killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Zehra Berkel (30) was killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Translation: "Three women were killed today by the bombing of a Turkish drone in Kobani, who were active in defense of women's rights. All this hatred hidden from the Turkish authorities to confront Kurdish women. She is afraid of the greatness of these women, so she targets them. Stop Erdogan's crimes" (via @ElhamAhmadSDC).
  • Translation: "Three civilians were martyred as a result of the bombardment of the occupier Turkish state army planes on the village of Helencê in Kobanê" (via @kendal77cudi).
  • Destroyed civilian home after alleged Turkish drone strikes on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via @kendal77cudi).
  • Damage after alleged Turkish drone strikes on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via @kendal77cudi).
  • An alleged Turkish drone strike targeted a civilian home in Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via @baxtiyarumut).
  • Rubble after alleged Turkish drone strikes on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via @baxtiyarumut).
  • One of the victims of alleged Turkish drone strikes on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish drone strikes on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020 (via VDCSY).
  • Statement on the alleged Turkish drone strike on Helincê on June 23rd, 2020, by the Syrian Democratic Council (via @Rojavanetwork).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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
  • (3 women)
  • 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 belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]