Incident Code

TS555

Location

قرية السويدية, village of Al-Suwaydia, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.771944, 39.636111
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

At least 2 people were killed and up to three others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Al-Suwaydia on September 20, 2022. Sources are conflicted as to whether the civilians killed were digging tunnels for the SDF or were in their homes.

According to Hawar News, two civilians were killed and three others were injured when a Turkish drone bombed the village of Al-Suwaydia in the Ain Issa Countryside. The civilians killed are named Khaled Hanifa and Bashar Barakat and the civilians injured are named Sabri Seido / 20 years old, Aziz Zaidan / 32 years old and Rashid Zeidan, 42 years old. In addition to the civilian casualties, there was significant material damage to civilian homes and properties.

Ain Issa Media Center also identified two civilians as being killed but put the number of injuries at two. BasNews added that one of the injured victims, Rashid, was seriously injured.

BasNews reported that the five people killed and injured were working with the Syrian Democratic Forces digging tunnels. However, the majority of other sources refer to those killed and injured as civilians and place them in their homes when the drone strikes occurred.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the drones to Turkish forces, and BasNews added that the escalation between the SDF and the Turkish army resulted in the displacement of people from their villages.

Victims

Invidivuals

Khaled Hanifa خالد حنيفة
Age unknown killed
Bashar Barakat بشّار بركات
Age unknown killed
Sabri Seido صبري سيدو
20 years old injured
Aziz Zaidan عزيز زيدان
32 years old injured
Rashid Zeidan رشيد زيدان
42 years old injured

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Suwaydia (السويدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.771944, 39.636111. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

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

Media From Sources (1)