Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS487

Incident date

February 1, 2022

Location

تقل بقل, Takil Bakil, Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.063119, 42.224472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, four people were killed and four to five civilians were injured in Turkish airstrikes in Takil Bakil village in the Derik countryside, in northeastern Syria on February 1st 2022 at 9pm in the evening by two missiles. The Syrian Democratic Forces identified the four people killed as being fighters.

According to local sources the Turkish bombing targeted an electric power station and an oil station. The bombing led to a power outage in the area, after the power station was left with destruction. ABC News added that the strike hit the building where the guards stay. This came a day after a Turkish drone stuck another power station near the Semalka border crossing between Syria and Iraq’s Kurdish region.

The four people who were killed were workers and guards at the electric power station, identified by the SDF as “our fighters who were in charge of protecting the station”. The SDF provided the names of the four fighters killed: Siamand Afrin, Khimkin Afrin, Shiar Kobani, and Muhyiddin Derik.

The SDF identified five civilian workers as being injured in the strikes while North Press Agency reported that four civilians were wounded. All injured civilians were taken to Dirk hospital.

One injured man, Othman Hussein Suleiuman, from the village of Borouj, told North Press, “all I remember is that I heard the sound of a plane, so I went inside the station to tell my colleagues.” The North Press added that “he heard the plane being hit by two missiles, but he lost consciousness and did not feel anything until he woke up in the hospital.”

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense released a statement declaring the strike the day of, stating that “In the Winter Eagle Operation carried out; shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots and so-called headquarters and training camps belonging to terrorists who threaten our country, nation and border security were targeted. In the planning and execution of the operation, maximum sensitivity was shown for the safety of life and property of the civilian population and the protection of the environment.”

Al Jazeera pointed out that Turkey cited the 51st article of the UN Charter, which states that “nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security”.

The incident occured at 21:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Othman Hussein Suleiman
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An injured man after a Turkish attack on Takil Bakil village in northeastern Syria. According to local sources, four civilians were killed and four civilians were injured. (Image via North Press Agency)
  • According to local sources, four civilians were killed and four civilians were injured after a Turkish attack on Takil Bakil village in northeastern Syria. (Image via North Press Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Takil Bakil ( تقل بقل), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.063119, 42.224472. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Turkish Military

By neutralizing the PKK/KCK/YPG and other terrorist elements; In order to eliminate the terrorist attacks against our people and security forces from the North of Iraq and Syria and to ensure our border security; In line with our self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the Winter Eagle Air Operation was carried out against terrorist nests in the Derik, Sinjar and Karacak regions in the North of Iraq and Syria, which are used as bases by terrorists.
In the Winter Eagle Operation carried out; shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots and so-called headquarters and training camps belonging to terrorists who threaten our country, nation and border security were targeted. In the planning and execution of the operation, maximum sensitivity was shown for the safety of life and property of the civilian population and the protection of the environment.
After the operation, in which mostly domestic and national ammunition was used, all of our aircraft returned safely to their bases.
The Turkish Armed Forces, who emerged from the bosom of our noble nation, will continue the fight against terrorism for the security of our country and nation with determination and determination until the last terrorist is neutralized.
It is announced to the public with respect.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (7) [ collapse]