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

August 21, 2017

Incident Code

TS090

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tal Ref’at, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died and four more were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of the town of Tal Ref’at, according to local media – though one report also said that the Syrian Free Army also targeted Kurdish units in the town. Rumaf named Alia Omar Sheikh and Othman Zakaria Mustafa as killed. However, a later report by Rumaf

Summary

First published
August 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Incident Code

TI007

LOCATION

قنديل, افشين, الزاب, Zakho district, Duhok, Iraq

Local Kurdish media said that four civilians were injured by alleged Turkish artillery shelling in Zakho at the Iraqi-Turkish border. Asda News reported that “the shelling led to the injury of four civilians, who were taken to the hospital for treatment, noting that the health of the four injured people is stable.” Rudaw added that

Summary

First published
July 29, 2017
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 10, 2017

Incident Code

TS089

LOCATION

تل رفعت كفر ناصح, The area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported the death of between two and four civilians and injury of as many as dozens more in an alleged Turkish artillery bombardment in area between Tal Rifa’at and Kafr Nasseh, Syria. According to Rumaf, “four people from one family died and dozens more were injured in the area between Tel Rifaat and Kafr

Summary

First published
July 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 10, 2017

Incident Code

TS088

LOCATION

أحرص , Ihress, Aleppo, Syria

According to Rumaf, “a whole family was seriously injured by the indiscriminate Turkish shelling of the residents of Ihress village. They were also transferred to the hospital.” YPG Press reported: “The Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries also attacked the liberated villages in al-Shahba areas. Names of the villages are Tal Rifat, Harbal, Sheikh Issa,

Summary

First published
July 10, 2017
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Incident Code

TS087

LOCATION

Jelber village, [or Cilbir] Shirawa district, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians including an elderly woman were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery attack on Jelber village, Afrin, according to local media. Aksalser cited Kurdish Activists and reported that “a woman from the village of Gelber in the countryside of Afrin was injured by the Turkish artillery” Azadiy Kurdistan said that “according to medical sources,

Summary

First published
July 3, 2017
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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Incident Code

TS086

LOCATION

كفرعنطون, Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians from the al-Yousef family (a mother and her two children) died, and another two civilains, and up to ten more non-combatants were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery bombardment of Kafar Anton village, Shahaba, Afrin, according to local media. Welat FM, citing Afrin hospital, named the fatalities. All other sources blamed Turkey for the civilian

Summary

First published
July 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–10
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
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2017

Incident Code

TS085

LOCATION

رأس العين ﺍﻟﺮﺍﻭﻳﺔ , al Rawiya village, Ras al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria

Three civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of al Rawiya village, Ras al Ain, according to sources on the ground. Al Hassaka Rasd reported that “two women and a girl were injured by a shell fired from the Turkish side on the village of #Rawiya in the region of Ras al-Ain in the north-western

Summary

First published
June 22, 2017
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 25, 2017

Incident Code

TS084

LOCATION

المالكية, Several locations in al Malkiya, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilians werereportedly wounded in alleged Turkish strikes on Kurdish militias on Several locations in al Malkiya, according to a single source. Reports said that between 20 and Kurdish forces were killed with up to 18 wounded; however, there were also some vague references to civilian harm – though it appears that most credible claims are

Summary

First published
April 25, 2017
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
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 17, 2017

Incident Code

TS082

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and nine civilians including one woman died in alleged Turkish strikes on Al Bab, according to local media. The victims were also named by Syrian Human Rights Committee, who blamed Turkey as well. In a MTV Lebanon video on February 17th – at 0’15, the voice over states that  “the Turkish army announced that

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(1 woman1 man)
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
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 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

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

February 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS487 TS078

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

A Turkish or Coalition airstrike on al Bab killed up to 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. The Syrian Network blamed the US-led alliance, reporting that “8 civilians, including a child and 2 women, died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Al Bab city.” Syrian News Desk, Manbij Direct and Al Bab 24 all

Summary

First published
February 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 12
(1 child2 women6 men)
Civilians reported injured
11
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 7, 2017

Incident Code

TS077

LOCATION

شيا عفرين, Shya, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent named the following one civilian as wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Shya, Syria: ‘Hassan Suleiman Omar, 60, a shrapnel in the eye’ No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
February 7, 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.
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

TS076

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians were reported killed and 16 more injured because of Turkish shelling of Al Bab, Syria, according to a single source. Syria News Desk wrote: “Six civilians were killed and 16 others wounded last night after Turkish artillery targeted residential areas near the Al Manshiya roundabout in the city centre of Al Bab in

Summary

First published
February 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
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 6, 2017

Incident Code

TS074

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

According to local sources, Ahmad Bathish died in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Al Bab, Syria. Al Bab 24 wrote that “Ahmad Bathish died following Turkish shelling on Al Bab today [Feb 6th].” Al Bab Coordination also named him in a victims’ list posted on Facebook – but didn’t identify who was responsible for his

Summary

First published
February 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2017

Incident Code

TS073

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

One child reportedly died in alleged Turkish or FSA artillery shelling on Al Bab. The Syrian network for Human Rights wrote that “the child Hassan Al Jaboli, age 12, died from Euphrates Shield artillery shells fired on Al Bab city in the Aleppo governorate.” There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 4, 2017
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

February 2, 2017

Incident Code

TS072

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes shelling on Al Bab, Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “The Turkish forces and warplanes renewed their shelling on areas in Al Bab city and its vicinity, which killed a civilian and injured others during the past 24 hours.” Al Jazeera quoted the ISIS

Summary

First published
February 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 31, 2017

Incident Code

TS071

LOCATION

تادف, Tedef, Aleppo, Syria

Around three civilians were reportedly killed in Tedef near Al Bab due to Turkish or Syrian regime shelling. Asharq Alarabi reported: “In the governorate of Aleppo, 15 people were killed, eight of them in the shelling of the towns of Tedef, Al Bureij and Al Bab in the governorate’s countryside.” Cyberaman only reported Syrian regime

Summary

First published
January 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 31, 2017

Incident Code

TS070

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six people were reportedly killed in Turkish bombardment of Al Bab, Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “While three people were killed, including a woman, by bombing and shelling by the Turkish forces and warplanes on areas in Tedef town and Al Bab city in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo

Summary

First published
January 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

TS069 RS1872

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and seven civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab. Hara FM accused Russia of the attack: “Four people dead and three wounded from one family from Russian bombing of the village Qasr al-Bureij southeast of the city of Al Bab.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights also

Summary

First published
January 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2017

Incident Code

TS068

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Two children were reported killed in alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab. The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq said that “two children were killed and nine others injured in Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab northeast of Aleppo.” There is currently no more information available.

Summary

First published
January 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2017

Incident Code

TS067

LOCATION

تل بطنان, Tal Btan, Aleppo, Syria

Around five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes near Tal Btan, according to sources on the ground. LCCSY wrote: “Eight dead in Aleppo, most of them killed by the Turkish jets during their escape from Alban to Tal Btan village.” There is currently no more information available.

Summary

First published
January 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS462 TS066

LOCATION

البزاعة, Al Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrikes, according to sources. The Syrian Network noted that “four civilians (2 children and their parents) died when International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Baza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.” However according to Ara News, “A statement issued by the Presidency of the

Summary

First published
January 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–2 children1 woman1 man)
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 27, 2017

Incident Code

TS065 RS1865

LOCATION

جب مخزوم , Jeb Makhzoum, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians from one family were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish or Russian airstrikes or artillery shelling on Jeb Makhzoum near Al Arima. The Syrian Obseratory for Human Rights said it “learned that a man was killed along with his wife and five of their children who are under the age of eighteen. They were

Summary

First published
January 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Incident Code

TS064

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Eight people were reportedly injured as a result of an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab. Al Bab News and the ISIS-affiliated outlet Al A’amaq said that most of the wounded were women and children. There are currently no further details available.

Summary

First published
January 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
8
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

January 26, 2017

Incident Code

TS063 RS1864

LOCATION

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and 10 civilians died, including two children and two women, and up to a another dozen were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Al Bab, local media reported. It was unclear who the culprit was – with allegations against Turkey and Russia. Moreover, one report added that regime helicopters were also active

Summary

First published
January 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS459 TS062

LOCATION

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Two named children died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes on Tadef. According to the Syrian Network “The children So’ad and Jonaid Fares Al Ali died after International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Tadef town in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.” However according to al Bab News, “Turkish planes launched three raids at dawn today killing two from the family

Summary

First published
January 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident