Conflict

Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

TS647

Location

البشرية, the village of Al-Bashiriya, al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

In the morning hours of Monday, October 9th, 2023, at least five civilians, including four women and a child, were injured by an alleged Turkish bombardment while working in cotton fields in the village of Al-Bashiriya located in the Al-Darbasiyah district of Al-Hasakah in northeastern Syria.

According to the Hawar news agency and Aso news, the injured women – Raksa Saleh Fawaz (50 years old), Khadija Eidan al-Qamar (40 years old), Farah Adnan (25 years old), Zeina Hammoud (20 years old), and Jumana Hammad (12 years old), –  were taken to a hospital in Darbasiya district, and then to hospitals in Hasakah city to receive treatment. According to a medical source at Al-Shaab Hospital, Raksa Saleh Fawaz was seriously injured in the head and hand, Khadija Eidan Al-Qamar was injured in the abdomen, Farah Adnan was subjected to amputation of her legs, Zeina Hammoud was injured in the thigh, and the girl Jumana Hammad was injured by scattered shrapnel in the back.

Farah Adnan, who lost her legs in this attack, shared her grievances to Human Rights Organization “Afrin”: “Hello world, my name is Farah, and I was picking cotton with my mother when Turkey bombed us. As a result, I lost my legs, and I cannot walk and play anymore.”

Omer Hassan shared an image of Farah in the hospital where her injuries can be seen. According to him, among the injured was also Farah’s mother.

Another injured woman, Khadija Eidan al-Tamr, commented to Hawar news:  “We are female workers who work in the cotton harvest in the village of Al-Bashiriya, east of Zarkan district, and in the morning hours, Turkish aircraft bombed the area, and as a result, she and my friends at work were injured.”

Hawar news, Facebook user Qamishlo and other sources shared the images of the injured women being treated at the hospital. An elderly woman Raksa Saleh Fawaz  in a green dress is seen crying in the images while her head is bandaged.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claimed that the number of the injured civilians was eight rather than five, and children are among the victims. However, it did not provide any further details.

Where the sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Turkish military. However, the sources differed regarding the nature of the strike – Rafidain news and Hawar news alleged that that was an airstrike, Athar press, Derbiseye Facebook account claimed that was an artillery bombardment.

Victims

Individuals

Rakza Saleh Fawaz ركزة صالح فواز
50 years old female injured
Khadija Eidan Al-Qamar خديجة عيدان القمر
40 years old female injured
Farah Adnan فرح عدنان
25 years old female injured
Zeina Hammoud زينة حمود
20 years old female injured
Jumana Hammad جمانة حماد
12 years old female injured

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported injured
5–8
1–2 Children, 4 Women

Military Statements

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

Media From Sources (18)