Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

March 17, 2018

Incident Code

TS282

LOCATION

سري كانيه, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to ANF, hundreds of civilians were killed as a vehicle convoy carrying Turkish warplanes targeted the civilians who were escaping from invasion attacks on Saturday. Locals say that the convoy was carrying more than 300 civilians and most of them were killed in the attack. However, it should be noted that Jindires was already

Summary

First published
March 17, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
300
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2016

Incident Code

TS029

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between 23 and 94 civilians were killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Al Bab, Syria, according to local media. Al Jazeera reported the lowest death toll at 20 and refered to the ISIS media agency Al A’amaq as the source. Later Al A’amaq itself said the toll rose to 50. The Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
December 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
23 – 94
(16 children9 women)
Civilians reported injured
45
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
Named victims
94 named, 11 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS498 TS081

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between 18 and 50 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bab, according to local sources. While the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that ten civilians including two children and four women died in an alleged Coalition airstrie, other sources blamed Tiurkey. A second report by SN4HR said that “International Coalition warplanes missiles fired

Summary

First published
February 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 50
(2 children5 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
18 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2017

Incident Code

TS075

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between 12 and 47 civilians, likely from one family, reportedly died in an alleged Turkish shelling on Al Bab, Syria. LCCSY reported that there was a total of 26 dead in Aleppo on that day, the majority of which in Aleppo and the rest in Al Bab. The Syrian Network of Human Rights said that

Summary

First published
February 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 47
(5–7 children3–4 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
30
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
Named victims
26 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2017

Incident Code

TS083 CS514

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Between 12 and 29 civilians including up to five children and five women died in airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Summary

First published
February 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 29
(4–5 children5 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
12 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2017

Incident Code

TS080

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between seven and 26 civilians including many women and children were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab. Al Bab 24 posted on Facebook that “seven people were killed following Turkish air and artillery bombardment on Al Bab northeast of Aleppo.” The ISIS propaganda outlet Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu initially agreed with

Summary

First published
February 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 26
(12 children3–8 women2–6 men)
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
Named victims
26 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS420 TS030

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between 20 and 25 civilians died in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) raid on al Bab. According to ISIS’s media wing, “Turkish planes committed a new massacre in al Bab for the second day running – initial toll of 20 dead.” Umayya reported the death toll as being possibly even higher than 25: “The

Summary

First published
December 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 25
(3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS489 TS079

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, New Street, Aleppo, Syria

At least 15 civilians from the same family died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes, as the battle to seize Al Bab from ISIL continued. Up to nine other non-combatants also died. Al Jazeera initially placed the death toll at 16 and then 24, though said the fatalities resulted from “shelling and battles in the

Summary

First published
February 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 24
(3 children5 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
16 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Incident Code

TS003

LOCATION

ﺍﻟﻌﻤﺎﺭﻧﺔ, Al Armana, Aleppo, Syria

Fifteen to 24 civilians were reported killed in Turkish airstrikes on the town of Al Armana, as invading Turkish forces were said to have turned their attention to Kurdish YPG fighters. Al Hayat newspaper reported as many as twenty civilians were killed.  However, Turkey denied it had killed any non-combatants in the action. According to Reuters

Summary

First published
August 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 24
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
25
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
Named victims
24 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Incident Code

TS100

LOCATION

عنابكة, poultry farm at A'nabka, Aleppo, Syria

At least 11 civilians, mostly children from several families, died in alleged Turkish airstrikes on a poultry farm at A’nabka, according to local media. Afrin Now, Al Watan and Syria Steps all blamed Turkey. Afrin Now first placed the location of the strikes at Abeen, though later changed this to A’nabka – informing Airwars that

Summary

First published
January 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 24
(7 children)
Civilians reported injured
11–24
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
Named victims
22 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2016

Incident Code

TS026

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq reported that 22 civilians were killed and 53 injured as a result of Turkish artillery shelling and airstrike in Al Bab, Syria. It wrote: “22 dead and 53 injured among the residents of Al Bab who fell over the last two days following Turkish artillery and aerial bombardment.” There

Summary

First published
December 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
22
Civilians reported injured
53
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 16, 2018

Incident Code

TS277

LOCATION

عفرين, Afrin city centre, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 21 civilians including five children died and as many of 45 were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Afrin city centre, according to local media. IC Afrin indicated the death count at 20 reporting that the Turkish army is shelling everywhere in Afrin city and its surroundings. According to the Syrian Observatory for

Summary

First published
March 16, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 21
(1 child5 men)
Civilians reported injured
29–45
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
Named victims
35 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Incident Code

CS300 TS002

LOCATION

جب الكوسا, Jeb el Kussa, Aleppo, Syria

Twenty people were reported killed and 50 injured after clashes at Jeb el Kussa, south of Jarabulus. According to Al Alam “these people fell during battles between militants and extremist groups backed by Turkey and the so-called “democratic forces of Syria” and armed groups backed by America. The Syrian Observatory confirmed casualties in the ranks of

Summary

First published
August 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2016

Incident Code

CS410 TS019

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

At least thirteen civilians were reported killed and eight injured in either a Turkish or Coalition airstrike on al Bab. The Coalition later denied responsibility. Al Jazeera – citing ISIS – said two families were among 13 dead civilians after multiple “Turkish airstrikes” on the city. The Syrian Observatory said that “no less than 12

Summary

First published
December 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 20
(7 children4 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
12 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

CS327 TS005

LOCATION

الثلثانة, Taltanah, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 19 civilians including 3 children were killed – and as many as 41 people injured – when airstrikes hit the village of Al Thaltanah. Multiple reports initially assigned blame to the Coalition or Turkish forces. However, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition conceded it had injured one civilian in the event. The Syrian

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 19
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
41
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
11 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 15, 2018

Incident Code

TS276

LOCATION

ترينيدة, Trinide village or Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

At least five civilians including three children and two women died in alleged Turkish artillery and/or air strikes on Afrin, local media in Syria reported – though there was some uncertainty about the location. Rudaw put the death toll as high as 18. According to Hawar, the Turkish occupation planes bombed the village of Trinide

Summary

First published
March 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 18
(3 children2 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
5
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
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Incident Code

TS135

LOCATION

كوبلة, Kobla village, Aleppo, Syria

Between fourteen and seventeen named civilians from one family died in alleged Turkish airstrike on Kobla village, according to local media. A further seven or more people were injured. Afrin Now published a very graphic video depicting “cruel scenes of the victims of the massacre of the village of Kobla in the countryside of Afrin,

Summary

First published
January 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 17
(6 children5 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7–25
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
Named victims
21 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 16, 2018

Incident Code

TS278

LOCATION

عفرين, Afrin hospital, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 16 civilians died in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Afrin hospital, according to local media. Pesmerge chali put the death toll and nine, while Rumaf and other sources said that 16 civilians died – reportedly “mostly children and women”. According to the source Aldar xelil: Avrin Hospital was the only medical facility in

Summary

First published
March 16, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 16
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2016

Incident Code

TS028

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between seven and 15 civilians, most of them apparently from one family, were reported killed in a Turkish bombardment of Al Bab, Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “the city is witnessing massive bombardment by the Turkish forces leading to the death of seven, the majority of them from one family, the

Summary

First published
December 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 15
(0–4 children0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
Named victims
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS416 TS024

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between eleven and 15 civilians were reported killed in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) action at al Bab. According to LCCSY eleven civilians died, “most of them killed in Coalition raids on al Bab.”However, the source had consistently denied civilian harm from Turkish actions during the al-Bab campaign. Al Bab News reported “more than

Summary

First published
December 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2017

Incident Code

TS057 CS455

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and 15 civilians died including two children and two women and 16 more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Al Bab, Syria, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Turkey or the US-led Coalition were responsible. Al Bab 24 said that “Al Bab city was exposed to a

Summary

First published
January 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 15
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2018

Incident Code

TS248

LOCATION

فريرة, Village of Freriye, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and 15 civilians including a three-month-old baby died and up to 10 others were wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on the village of Freriye in Jindires, Syria, according to sources on the ground. ANHA reported: “The Turkish occupation air force bombed the village of Freriye in Jindires, where a three-month baby and

Summary

First published
March 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
8–11
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
Named victims
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2016

Incident Code

CS333 TS005a

LOCATION

دويبق, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria

Twelve to 14 civilians, including up to seven children and five women, were killed in air raids on the village of Dabiq in Aleppo governorate, according to local reports. It was alleged that both the Coalition and Turkey were responsible. The Syrian Network reported “at least 8 civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired

Summary

First published
October 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 14
(4–7 children4–5 women)
Civilians reported injured
23
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS447 TS053

LOCATION

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Up to thirteen civilians reportedly died in airstrikes at Tadef near al Bab, as heavy clashes continued with ISIL for control of the strategic city. Step News, Al Bab News, Syria News Desk and the Syrian Observatory blamed Turkey for the attack, while LCCSY said Russia was responsible. The Syrian Network instead said that “8

Summary

First published
January 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 13
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military, Unknown
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2018

Incident Code

TS247

LOCATION

جنديرس,عفرين , Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 15 civilians including two or three children and five women died and up to 32 more were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes in Jindires, Syria, local media said. However, it is possible that reports are referring to several events in Jindires, and may include T131-T133, listed above. Moreover, several sources published images which

Summary

First published
March 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 13
(2–3 children5 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–32
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 17, 2018

Incident Code

TS279

LOCATION

محمودية, Mahmoudiya neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Between 11 and 13 civilians died in an alleged Turkish airstrike on a convoy of cars in the Mahmoudiya neighbourhood of Afrin, according to local media. IC Afrin reported that two vehicles were hit with dozens of people on the road out of Afrin to Tirinde village. The people were attempting to flee the area

Summary

First published
March 17, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 13
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2018

Incident Code

TS229

LOCATION

يلنقوز, Yilanguz village, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians including children died and a minimum of three other civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish air strike on Yilanguz village, according to local media. The majority of sources said that a family of five died. One source (Evlin.Hassan) reported that “dozens were killed and wounded”. IC Arrin Resistance tweeted a

Summary

First published
February 26, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 12
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
3–12
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2016

Incident Code

CS413 TS020

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Twelve civilians were killed and up to 30 injured at al Bab in what local sources claimed was a ‘Coalition’ strike, but which may have been a result of Turkish-ISIS fighting. Al A’maq, ISIS’s media wing, reported “12 dead and 30 injured, most of them women and children, following violent Turkish shelling with more than

Summary

First published
December 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(6 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
20–30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2018

Incident Code

TS274

LOCATION

عفرين, Afrin city centre, Aleppo, Syria

Between 5 and 11 civilians including up to four children died and up to 25 more were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling (airstrikes and artillery) of Afrin city centre, according to local media in Syria. Massoud Mohammad, a self-described journalist from Qamishli for Rojava, produced numerous reports on the event on Twitter. He put

Summary

First published
March 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 12
(2–4 children2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–44
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
Named victims
13 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Incident Code

TS048 CS443 RS1834

LOCATION

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and 12 civilians were killed, and as many as 22 were wounded, in an air and artillery strike which hit the Daesh controlled area of Tadef, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with two sources blaming the International US led Coalition, two blaming Syrian regime helicopters, and many more

Summary

First published
January 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 12
(0–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–22
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident