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 2, 2024

Incident Code

TI103

LOCATION

باطوفا, a village in Batoufa district within Amadiyah district in Duhok Governorate, Iraq, Duhok, Iraq

On Saturday, March 2, 2024, a farmer was injured due to an airstrike reportedly perpetrated by Turkish forces on villages in the Batoufa district within Amadiyah district in the Duhok governorate located in the south of the Kurdistan region, Iraq. According to sources, the incident happened in mountainous villages where a farmer was injured. No

Summary

First published
March 2, 2024
Last updated
August 6, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2018

Incident Code

TS131

LOCATION

راحو, Rajo, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that six adult male civilians were injured in the Rajo area of Afrin Canton. In a report shared with Airwars, six adults were named as injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it also “monitored the continued Turkish forces shelling in areas of Afrin countryside. The bombing focused

Summary

First published
January 27, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
6
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 7, 2018

Incident Code

TS162

LOCATION

بلبلة, Bulbul, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent named the following one civilian was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Bulbul. The type of weapon used is unknown. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
February 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
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

February 13, 2018

Incident Code

TS194

LOCATION

بعدينو٫شيخ بلو٫ راجو , Ba'adino, Sheikh Billo, Rajo district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Sheikh Billo in Afrin’s Rajo district. The Kurdish Red Crescent reported two injured in an intensive shelling by allegedly the Turk on Sheikh Billo in Afrin’s Rajo district. A private report from KRC reported the names and type of injury of the two adult

Summary

First published
February 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Incident Code

TS226

LOCATION

عرب ويران, Arab Weyran, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to IC Afrin resistance, “Mihemed Sido Yusif, from Rejio/Bedina, Fayiq Cafer from Shera/Arab Werane [Syria] and Durshata Mihemed Ali, also from Shera/Arab Werane, were heavily injured by Turkish jets.” The victims were also named by Rojnews.

Summary

First published
February 24, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

TS258

LOCATION

سري كانية, عفرين, Siri Kanaida, Syrian-Turkish border, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that three civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish mortar attack in Siri Kanai on the Syrian-Turkish border. The victims were reportedly taken to hospital where they were in a stable condition. According to Hawar, three people were injured in Sri Kanaia as a result of the Turkish occupation army launched mortar

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
3
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2017

Incident Code

TS093

LOCATION

كفر لوسين, Kafr Luseen, Turkish-Syrian borders, Idlib, Syria

A single source, the Step News Agency, reported that “a child was wounded by bullets fired by the Turkish army is in the camp of Zahra_Gulf in the area of Kafr Luseen on the border with Turkey and was transferred to a nearby hospital.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
September 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Incident Code

TS300

LOCATION

Ashme, Kobane, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Ashme Village in Kobane, Aleppo governorate, October 9th 2019 according to local media. No additional public information is presently known about this claim.

Summary

First published
October 10, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2019

Incident Code

TS335

LOCATION

رأس العين ,الجامع الكبير , Next to Al Jamia Al Kabir in Ras Al Ayn, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a major civilian harm incident, between 6 and 19 civilians – including at least four journalists from multiple countries – died and as many as 74 others were wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on a convoy, made up from around 400 civilian vehicles, heading from Al Jazira to Ras Al Ain, local media

Summary

First published
October 13, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 19
(1–2 women6–17 men)
Civilians reported injured
56–75
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
68 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2019

Incident Code

TS355

LOCATION

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two or three civilians were reportedly executed by Turkish-supported forces in Ras Al Ain. @RodiSad tweeted “Photos of killed civilians in RasAl-Ain, who were field-executed on the Hasakah road. The field execution was obvious and was carried out on October 17th by Turkish-backed Sultan Murat militias. One of the killed is a friend of mine.

Summary

First published
October 17, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2–3 men)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
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

October 19, 2019

Incident Code

TS360a

LOCATION

راس العين, Ras Al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed (their details unknown), and three injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Ras Al Ain in Hasaka governorate in Syria on October 19th, 2019 according to the Kurdish Red Crescent. KRC identified the three injured civilians including a child aged 13.

Summary

First published
October 19, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2019

Incident Code

TS306D

LOCATION

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was reported wounded with burns likely caused by Turkey’s use of White Phosphorus in Ain Issa, Aleppo in Syria on October 10th, 2019 according to a report by the Times. No further details available.

Summary

First published
October 10, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 25, 2020

Incident Code

TS423

LOCATION

تل أبيض, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

@NPA_English reported on March 25th 2020 that “A child was killed and two others seriously injured in a mine explosion that was planted [last night] by Turkish-backed armed groups in the village of Zaytouna in Tal-Abyad countryside, northern Raqqa.” No further details are available.

Summary

First published
March 25, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Unknown, Free Syrian Army
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2020

Incident Code

TI044

LOCATION

Bakira, Duhok, Iraq

Two civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on a civilian vehicle near Bakira, Dohuk governorate, on August 1st, 2020, according to local sources. Hawar News wrote that “The Turkish occupation army planes bombed a civilian car this evening in the Bakira community in the Amedi district of the Dohuk governorate in southern Kurdistan. According to

Summary

First published
August 1, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2020

Incident Code

TI053

LOCATION

ديرالوك, Deraluk , Duhok, Iraq

Basnews reported that three children were killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Deraluk town of Amedi district, Duhok province, on December 12th, 2020. No further info is available at the moment.

Summary

First published
December 12, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2021

Incident Code

TI072

LOCATION

هرور, Hiror, Duhok, Iraq

At least one civilian man was injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Hirur on September 24, 2021. According to @kamaran_Mulla, a civilian named Thabt Hussen was severely injured when alleged Turkish shelling landed on his land while we was harvesting pomegranates. At the time of reporting, Thabt was in critical condition and being treated at

Summary

First published
September 24, 2021
Last updated
September 1, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2022

Incident Code

TS499

LOCATION

قرية تل طويله, Tel Tawel village, Al Hassakah, Syria

One civilian was severely injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Tel Tawel village on April 16, 2022. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists reported “the severe injury of a Christian leading to the amputation of his leg, due to artillery shelling by Turkish forces on Tel Tawel village”. A source in the Tel Tamr Military Council

Summary

First published
April 16, 2022
Last updated
July 21, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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

July 4, 2022

Incident Code

TS524 ISSY025

LOCATION

هوشان, Hoshan, Raqqa, Syria

One to two civilians were reported killed and three others were injured, including two children, on July 4th 2022, when Turkish or Israeli shelling targeted the village of Al-Hoshan in the countryside of Ain Issa, Syria. The majority of the sources blamed Turkey for the attack but Sout Al Hayat reported that it was as

Summary

First published
July 4, 2022
Last updated
July 19, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(0–1 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Israeli Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2022

Incident Code

TS552

LOCATION

غرناطه, Gharnata, Aleppo, Syria

A 13 year old girl was killed in alleged Turkish shelling of Gharnata village on August 19, 2022. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the young girl under the age of 18 was injured in Gharnata village and later reported that the girl had died the next day of her injuries. A Facebook post by

Summary

First published
August 19, 2022
Last updated
August 25, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2022

Incident Code

TS578

LOCATION

بوبان, Boban, Aleppo, Syria

On December 15th 2022, two civilians – two brothers – were reportedly severely injured following live bullets shot by Turkish forces in Boban village (Boban Saghrir village), West of Kobane. Sources described Turkish forces’ firing as “indiscriminate”. Fawaz Ossi, 31 years old was allegedly shot in the stomach while he was renovating his house. When

Summary

First published
December 15, 2022
Last updated
August 7, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of injury / death
Accidents related to conflict, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2023

Incident Code

TS609

LOCATION

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

On the 5th July 2023, two ambulance crew members were reportedly injured by a Turkish artillery strike in southern Kobani, located in the North of Syria. 30 year-old Sozdar Othman and 25 year-old Muslim Nabi Oso were injured whilst traveling to the area of Newroz Square, which was hit by mortar shells, to evacuate possible

Summary

First published
July 5, 2023
Last updated
August 7, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Incident Code

TS635

LOCATION

قرية جلبية/, M4 international road, 45km southeast from the city of Kobani, near Jalabiya (Kharab Ashk) village, Aleppo, Syria

At 10:45 in the morning on Thursday, 5th October 2023, Turkish drone strikes allegedly killed two civilian men riding a motorcycle on the M4 international road, 45 km southeast from the city of Kobani, and injured up to two other civilians. According to the local sources, the incident happened near the village of Jalabiya (Kharab

Summary

First published
October 5, 2023
Last updated
April 4, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2023

Incident Code

TS671

LOCATION

صوامع الحبوب, east of Qamishlo, northern Syria, Al Hassakah, Syria

On Monday, December 25, 2023, a civilian was reportedly killed by an alleged Turkish airstrike in the grain silos area to the east of the town of Qamishlo in northern Syria. According to Watan News, the victim was “in the vicinity of a mill in the grain silos” when the strike occurred. The identity of

Summary

First published
December 25, 2023
Last updated
July 5, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2018

Incident Code

TS142

LOCATION

جنديرس, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurish Red Crescent reported: “The savagery of the Turkish aggression in Afrin was not limited to civilians only, but also to the media. A bombardment targeted a car in Rajo today, carrying a team of four journalists, including correspondents of foreign media agencies and four other civilians. They are being treated by the Kurdish

Summary

First published
January 30, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2018

Incident Code

TS173

LOCATION

راجو, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to the private report that Airwars received from the Kurdish Red Crescent, two civilians were wounded followed in an alleged Turkish shelling of Rajo. The type of weapon has not been reported. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
February 9, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
2 named
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

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

June 5, 2019

Incident Code

TI022

LOCATION

سدكان, Sedkan, Erbil, Iraq

Three Peshmergas, potentially civilian combatants at the time, were injured by an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sedkan. Rudaw said: “Three militants from the Peshmerga were wounded, one of them in a serious condition, as a result of Turkish shelling on Wednesday around the town of “Sedkan” of the city of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region.

Summary

First published
June 5, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
0–3
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
Belligerents reported injured
0–3
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Incident Code

TS311

LOCATION

متينان, Metin, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed in alleged Turkish shelling on the village of Metin, east of the city of Kobane, on October 11th, 2019, as reported by local sources. @y_ozgurpolitika has identified one of the victims as Eidan Sheikh Ahmad, male, 60 years old, who was taken to the hospital a few hours after the

Summary

First published
October 11, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Incident Code

TS344

LOCATION

العريف بين Çelebeyi وعين عيسى, Al Arif, between Celebeyi and Ayn Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Ten civilians died and others were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Al Araf, between Celebeyi and Ayn Issa, local media reported. #ANF noted: “Turkish troops and mercenaries carried out aggression against the village of al-Aref located between Kobanê’s Çelebeyi town and Ayn Issa. There are reports that many civilians lost their lives in the

Summary

First published
October 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
2
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
View Incident