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

May 3, 2023

Incident Code

TS592

LOCATION

بحيره, Bahira, Al Hassakah, Syria

A 49 year old man was allegedly shot and injured by Turkish border guards in the village of Bahira on May 3, 2023. Hawar News reported that a civilian was wounded by live bullets fired by the Turkish army. A relative of the injured civilian told a Hawar reporter that live bullets fired between 14:00

Summary

First published
May 3, 2023
Last updated
August 7, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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
1 named
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2023

Incident Code

TI092

LOCATION

قرية جنارتوي, Gnartuy Village, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

On August 6th, 2023, an alleged Turkish drone strike hit Gnartuy village in Suliemaniah province, Iraq; according to Shafaq News, the strike killed one civilian and injured another, while Alaraby and Roj News reported that the strike injured two civilians. Alaraby reported that one civilian was from Halabja and that another held Syrian Kurdish nationality, although

Summary

First published
August 6, 2023
Last updated
September 1, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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

October 26, 2023

Incident Code

TS654

LOCATION

قرية الربيعية, Al-Rabiya village west of Hama, Hama, Syria

At least five identified civilians, including two women and two children, were killed and between two and five civilians were injured in a drone strike on the Al-Rabiya village of Hama countryside in central Syria, declared by Al-Fateh Al-Mubin, a militia affiliated and supported by the Turkish military, during the evening of Thursday, October 26,

Summary

First published
October 26, 2023
Last updated
April 23, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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.
Known belligerent
Turkish Military
Known target
Assad regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2023

Incident Code

TI096

LOCATION

قرية بوگریسکان, Bugriskan village, Sinjar district, Bashdar district , Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

A woman was killed and a man injured by two drone strikes, allegedly conducted by the Turkish military, on the village of Bugriskan, in the Sinjar district on September 27th, 2023. The strikes were also reported to have killed six Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants. Bas News reported that the casualties occurred in “two separate

Summary

First published
September 27, 2023
Last updated
March 1, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
Suspected target
YPG/SDF
Named victims
2 named
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Incident Code

TS157

LOCATION

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent listed two civilians, injured followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Jindires, Syria. The type of weapon is unknown. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

First published
February 4, 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 12, 2018

Incident Code

TS188

LOCATION

بلبلة, Bulbul, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

In a private report to Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent named the following one civilian as wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Bulbul: ‘Bashar Youssef, 27, various shrapnel wounds and a head injury’.

Summary

First published
February 12, 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Incident Code

TS294

LOCATION

Mabrouka IDP camp, Ras al-Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria

@NPA_SY tweeted: that the SDF Press Office said  “a child lost his life in Mabrouka IDP camp, Ras al-Ain, due to the difficulty of moving him to hospital following Turkish indiscriminate shelling”. Hawar news agency also reported the death of a child.

Summary

First published
October 9, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Incident Code

TS329

LOCATION

رأس العين, Ras al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria

@cmoc_sd  tweeted: “An innocent child does not know what a bullet is, hit by the Turkish army with artillery shells and warplanes in the villages of #SariKanye/ Ras al-ayn. She is now in Tal Tamir hospital receive treatment, her condition is critical.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
October 12, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

October 16, 2019

Incident Code

TS350a

LOCATION

المالحة, Al Malha, Al Hassakah, Syria

@NPA_English tweeted: “A civilian woman from al-Malha village in the southern countryside of Ras al-Ain (Sere Kaniye) has arrived at Tal Tamr Hospital due to being shot by Turkey-backed armed militias”. The Kurdish Red Crescent named the victim as Lamees Ali Assaf, a female aged 14 from Serekaniye”, adding that she was shot.

Summary

First published
October 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
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

November 13, 2019

Incident Code

TS336b

LOCATION

الحسكة, Hasaka, Al Hassakah, Syria

Three civilians were reported injured in different locations in Hasaka governorate on October 13th, 2019 according to the Kurdish Red Crescent, as a result of alleged Turkish forces attacks. The civilians, a woman and two men, are originally from Terbesipiye, Til Kocher and Tel Hamees. No further details available at the moment.

Summary

First published
October 13, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2019

Incident Code

TS373A

LOCATION

عين عيسى, Ayn Issa, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, one civilian was reported injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Ayn Issa, Raqqa in Syria on October 28th, 2019. The civilian was identified as Abdullah Mustafa Hussein, male, aged 37 and he was injured as a result of fragments.

Summary

First published
October 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike and/or 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Incident Code

TS408

LOCATION

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that Turkish forces targeted villages in Afrin including Aqiba village during the night, leading to the death of one elderly civilian, an the injury of other civilians including his daughter, on February 3rd, 2020. NPA Syria reported that “a Syrian civilian was killed and a woman was injured due to the Turkish

Summary

First published
February 3, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2020

Incident Code

TI036

LOCATION

درلوك, Deralok, Duhok, Iraq

A father and son were killed and another civilian was injured after an alleged Turkish airstrike near the town of Deraluk, Amedi district, on May 30th, 2020, according to local media reports. The victims were Jalal Nuradin, 60, and his son Ahmed Nuradin, 32, reported K24, Christian Peacemaker Teams and Ahval. Khalil Nerway, a relative

Summary

First published
May 30, 2020
Last updated
March 30, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 22, 2020

Incident Code

TS453

LOCATION

صيدا‎, Sayda, Raqqa, Syria

At least one civilian male was critically injured in alleged Turkish or Turkish mercenary artillery strikes on the M4 road near the village of Sayda, Raqqa governorate, on October 22nd, 2020, according to local sources. Correspondents for Hawar News reported that “[Turkish] mercenaries targeted civilians on M4 road by firing shells at the road and its

Summary

First published
October 22, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2021

Incident Code

TI063

LOCATION

هرور, Hiror, Duhok, Iraq

Between one and two civilians were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Harur on July 7, 2021. A security source told Shafaq News Agency, “Turkish warplanes bombed the vicinity of Harour village in Kani Masi district in Al-Amadiyah district in Dohuk governorate. The aerial bombardment resulted in the injury of a citizen and

Summary

First published
July 7, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident