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

April 30, 2019

Incident Code

TS288

LOCATION

الشهباء‎, Al Shabha province, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians were reportedly injured in a Turkish airstrike on the Al Shabha province of Aleppo. ANHA reported: “5 civilians were injured following the bombing of the Turkish Occupation Army and its mercenaries to the villages of Al Shahba Province. Our communication from Al Shahba District reported that, as a result of the intense shelling

Summary

First published
April 30, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2019

Incident Code

TI021

LOCATION

رشاوة , Rashawa, Duhok, Iraq

Four men were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the area of Deraluk, Dohuk province, on January 22nd or 23rd, 2020, according to local sources. Two men remain missing: it is unknown if they were also killed or arrested or kidnapped. It is unclear if the men were civilians or Peshmerga. A local “security source”

Summary

First published
January 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 4
(4 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
4 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–4
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2018

Incident Code

TS287

LOCATION

الدرباسية , Ad Darbasiyah, Al Hassakah, Syria

Four civilians were allegedly killed in a Turkish airstrike on Ad Darbasiyah. ANF reported: “According to reports, Turkish military forces targeted a family in the border area between Erade and Feqiran villages in Dirbesiye city of Heseke Canton. The savage armed attack claimed the life of 4 civilians, 3 of whom are women.” Özgür Gündem

Summary

First published
December 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 women)
Civilians reported injured
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.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2018

Incident Code

TI020

LOCATION

مخمور, Makhmour refugee camp, Erbil, Iraq

Four women were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the Rustam Jodi refugee camp in Makhmour, south of Erbil on December 13th 2018, according to local media reports. Rustom Joudi, the governor of Rastam Jodi camp, said that the Turkish shelling, which took place at 21:00 on Thursday, killed four women, three of them from

Summary

First published
December 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 women)
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

November 14, 2018

Incident Code

TI019

LOCATION

عمادية, Amadiyah, Duhok, Iraq

At least three civilian men were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes targeting the Kurdish district of Amadiyah, Dohuk. No sources mentioned the number of wounded. Several sources identified three victims by name. Ramadan Rikani, a local official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) added that the victims were “sons of one village, two of them

Summary

First published
November 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2018

Incident Code

TI018

LOCATION

دهوك, Duhok, Iraq

Several sources reported that an alleged Turkish airstrike killed a civilian near the province of Duhok. A “security source” quoted in reports from Almaalhomah, Iraqhbar and Alahdnews, mentions that “the bombing killed a farmer near the place of the fall of a missile.” He reportedly added that “the body was transferred to the Department of

Summary

First published
November 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2018

Incident Code

TS285

LOCATION

تل أبيض , Tel Fender, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that a girl was killed due to Turkish shelling on Tal Fander, one of the Tal Abyad villages in northern Raqqa. Although most sources reported that the girl was killed in an airstrike, Smart claimed that the Turkish army targeted the village with heavy machine guns and sniper fire, which allegedly killed the girl after

Summary

First published
November 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child1 woman)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 15, 2018

Incident Code

TI017

LOCATION

سنجار , Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

A former leader (Zaki Shankali) of the PKK in Sinjar reportedly died along with four Yazidi people in alleged Turkish airstrikes on their convoy in Sinjar at 5 p.m on August 15th, according to sources on the ground. The combat status of the Yazidi people is in question, however, as one source referred to them

Summary

First published
August 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2018

Incident Code

TI015

LOCATION

سدكان , Sedkan, Erbil, Iraq

Two civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish artillery strike on Sedkan, according to local sources. Basnews reported that “on Friday [April 6th], Turkish artillery continued to bombard the area of ​​Bradust and its villages in Siddakan (northeast of Erbil), injuring two civilians and displacing about 120 others from their villages. According to information received

Summary

First published
April 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
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

March 25, 2018

Incident Code

TI014

LOCATION

شيلاديزي, Shiladeza, Duhok, Iraq

According to local sources, one civilian was killed and one or two more were injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on the Shiladeza area, north of Duhok province in Iraqi Kurdistan. One local source told Roj News Agency that the raids began in the afternoon, striking the village of Hillah, “in the area between Rikani

Summary

First published
March 25, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2018

Incident Code

TI012

LOCATION

Villages in Choman district, Erbil, Iraq

Four civilians died and 10 more were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes on villages in the Choman area of Iraqi Kurdistan, local sources reported. According to IC Afrin Resistance, the “Turkish army’s attacks and #TurkishWarCrimes are spreading: Yesterday night at 1:05 am Turkish air-forces bombarded villages in the district Qesre of Erbil (South #Kurdistan /

Summary

First published
March 22, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
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
4 named
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

March 21, 2018

Incident Code

TS284

LOCATION

بايعة, Ba'iya village, Shirawa district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to multiple local sources, two civilians died in an alleged Turkish shelling of Ba’iya village. The SDF accused the Turkish occupation army of bombing the surrounding villages which resulted in the deaths of civilians in the village of Ba’iya. Sources reported that “the Kurdish units destroyed a military vehicle of the Turkish army, stressing

Summary

First published
March 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Turkish Military, Kurdish Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2018

Incident Code

TS283

LOCATION

كيمار, Kimar village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Several sources claimed civilians casualties following alleged Turkish airstrikes or artillery shelling on Kimar village, Afrin – though specific numbers were not given. Claudia, a Kurdish activist, tweeted: “Invaders warplanes are bombing the Kimar village amid intense clashes. We should expect a new massacre of civilians in this village.” ANF added that “according to reports from the

Summary

First published
March 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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

March 18, 2018

Incident Code

CS1739a TS282a

LOCATION

تل حميس, Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli, Al Hassakah, Syria

Multiple sources reported that Turkey carried out airstrikes on SDF positions in Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli. However, other outlets also stated that this was not the case and that the US-led Coalition conducted strikes on homes which reportedly held family members of ISIS. However, no casualty estimates were given. The Shaam News Network,

Summary

First published
March 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 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

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

March 17, 2018

Incident Code

TS280

LOCATION

باسوطة, Basouta road, south of Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

According to a single source, one male has been killed followed Turkish shelling of Basouta road, Afrin. The source identified the victim name as Azad. The tweet embedded two images of the father standing over his dead son’s body following an alleged Turkish shelling of Basouta road. However, it is unclear when the victim died – and

Summary

First published
March 17, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 17, 2018

Incident Code

TS281

LOCATION

عفرين, Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died, and several more were wounded in an alleged Turkish bombing of Afrin city, local media reported. According to ANF, The invading Turkish army continued to massacre civilians on the 57th day of the attacks against Afrin. A building in the city centre was bombed, trapping three civilians in the rubble. One building

Summary

First published
March 17, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
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

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

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

March 15, 2018

Incident Code

TS275

LOCATION

عفرين, Afrin city centre, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians including children and women died, and five more were wounded in an alleged Turkish bombing of Afrin city centre, according to sources on the ground in Syria. ANF reported: “According to local sources, another civilian was killed and five were wounded in Turkish bombing on Thursday.  Five injured were identified.” Hawar

Summary

First published
March 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(0–3 children0–2 women)
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
5 named
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

March 14, 2018

Incident Code

TS272

LOCATION

ترينيدة, Trinide village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to multiple sources, up to four civilians including a child were killed, and at least five children from one family were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Trinide village, Syria. Only one single source reported the death of four civilians for this incident. According to Xeber, artillery shelled the village of Trinide and resulted

Summary

First published
March 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 4
(0–1 children)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2018

Incident Code

TS273

LOCATION

نبل, Nubl town, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, three civilians were killed followed an alleged Turkish airstrike on Nubl town. According to Enabbaladi, the Syrian regime’s media published a statement saying that Turkish planes’ targeted allied positions in Nabal and Zahra, which resulted in a number of civilian martyrs. An image published shows the casualties to be young men.

Summary

First published
March 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(0–3 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
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

March 13, 2018

Incident Code

TS270

LOCATION

جنديرس, Road between Jindires and Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported the death of two civilians in an alleged Turkish airstrike on the road between Jindires and Afrin city, Syria. The SDF War Media reported: The Martyrdom of two Civilians by Turkish raids on the Jandarsa road. the victims died while trying to escape with their lives from the bombing of Turkey. They

Summary

First published
March 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1–2 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2018

Incident Code

TS271

LOCATION

بعدينة, Ba'adina village, Mabeta district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

At least nine civilians died, and more were wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Ba’adina village, Syria, local media reported. Sources said that the bus or motorcade which the victims were travelling in was struck. According to Defend Afrin, “Turkish jets targeted a group of villagers who were returning to their village Bedina of

Summary

First published
March 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
2
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

March 13, 2018

Incident Code

TS269

LOCATION

اشرفية, Ashrafieh neighbourhood, Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

One child was critically wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Ashrafieh neighbourhood, Afrin city. According to IC Afrin Resistance, the Turkish occupation army planes bombed al-Ashrafieh neighbourhood in the centre of Afrin city at noon today [March 13th], seriously wounding the back of a 14-year-old boy. The child was taken to a hospital in

Summary

First published
March 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

TS266

LOCATION

جرزيلة, village of Girzele, Shirwa district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

In a similar reporting of TS265, a number of sources reported that a 45-year-old male wounded followed an alleged Turkish air or artillery strike on the village of Girzele. Afrin Now and ANHA said the victim suffered a leg wound. According to Sana, Turkish forces and their mercenaries shelled the area of Sharan and the villages of Basutah,

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1–4
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

TS267

LOCATION

الزربة, Zerba, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, a 21-year-old civilian was wounded followed an alleged Turkish air and or artillery strike on the village of Zerba. It was reported that his wounds were critical and that as many as four other civilians were wounded, including critical cases. Sources reported that Turkish warplanes bombed the centre of Shirawa and

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1–4
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
1 named
View Incident