Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS528

Incident date

July 22, 2022

Location

شورك, Shurak, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.03748981, 41.34373069 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were injured who were passersby to an alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle on Qamishli-Tirbespi Road, in Al-Hasakah, Rojava, north-east Syria on Friday July 22nd 2022.  The vehicle was reported to have been a military vehicle belonging to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).  The attack was also said to have been targeting the Military Academy in the city of Ayn al-Arab.

Three local sources reported on civilian harm, with Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting that “other people were injured by shrapnel while they were passing in the area.”

Three female SDF commanders were reported killed in this attack who were allegedly part of the SDF Women’s Protection Unit.  One commander, reported in media as Salwa Yusuk, but also with alternative names, Berwin Muhammed Buzan, Ciyan Afrin and Gian Tolhildan, was the leader of PKK/PYD militia.  According to sources, she was aged around 42.

The other two SDF fighters were reported in international media as Joana Hisso, aged 30, also known as Roj Khabur, and Ruha Bashar, aged 19, also known as Barin Botan.

In a tweet, the US Central Command said that Yusuk was a “critical SDF leader who led forces in combat vs ISIS since the height of the fight to defeat the vile ideology in NE Syria in 2017.” Another US military official, who remained anonymous told NBC News that “there is no doubt she saved American lives on the battlefield.”

The SDF General Commander, Mazloum Abdi, also called them “heroines who participated in the war against ISIS.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Na’amatli (نعمتلي) checkpoint, west of Shurak (شورك) village. Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 37.03748981, 41.34373069.

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  • Imagery:
    @OGNreports

  • Imagery:
    Hawar

  • Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Imagery:
    North Press Agency

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022, injuring several civilians (Image via Rudaw News)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a suspected military vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 injuring several civilians (Image via Rohani TV)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a suspected military vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 injuring several civilians (Image via Rohani TV)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a suspected military vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 injuring several civilians (Image via Rohani TV)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a suspected military vehicle in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 injuring several civilians (Image via Rohani TV)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a vehicle in Rojava injuring civilian passerbys and reportedly three SDF militants on July 22nd 2022 (Image via Hawar News)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a vehicle in Rojava injuring civilian passerbys and reportedly three SDF militants on July 22nd 2022 (Image via Hawar News)
  • An alleged Turkish drone hit a vehicle in Rojava injuring civilian passerbys and reportedly three SDF militants on July 22nd 2022 (Image via North Press Agency)
  • PKK/PYD militia leader, Berwin Muhammed Buzan was allegedly killed in the Turkish drone strike in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 (Image via الخابور Alkahbour)
  • PKK/PYD militia leader, Berwin Muhammed Buzan was allegedly killed in the Turkish drone strike in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 (Image via الخابور Alkahbour)
  • PKK/PYD militia leader, Berwin Muhammed Buzan was allegedly killed in the Turkish drone strike in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 (Image via الخابور Alkahbour)
  • Three female SDF fighters were reportedly killed in a Turkish drone strike in Rojava on July 22nd 2022 (Image via ANHA عربية )
  • Salwa Yusuk, a deputy commander of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was among three female SDF fighters killed in the strike last Friday, the officials said (Image via NBC News)
  • Three female commanders of SDF were reportedly killed in a Turkish drone strike on July 22nd 2022 (Image via NBC News)
  • Three female commanders of SDF were reportedly killed in a Turkish drone strike on July 22nd 2022, and there were reports of multiple civilian casualties (Image via The New York Post)
  • @OGNreports posted three photos, one of Berwin Muhammad Buzan, a SDF commander reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike, and the aftermath of the attack where civilians were reported injured (Image via Twitter)
  • @OGNreports posted three photos, one of Berwin Muhammad Buzan, a SDF commander reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike, and the aftermath of the attack where civilians were reported injured (Image via Twitter)
  • @OGNreports posted three photos, one of Berwin Muhammad Buzan, a SDF commander reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike, and the aftermath of the attack where civilians were reported injured (Image via Twitter)
  • "Salwa Yusuk (AKA Ciyan Afrin) a Deputy Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - along with 2 fellow female fighters - was killed in an attack near Qamishli, Syria, on July 22, 2022." (@CENTCOM / Twitter)

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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (23) [ collapse]