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

January 3, 2017

Incident Code

TS039

LOCATION

البزاعة, Al Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and six civilians were reported killed as a result an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Baza’a, Syria. Jabal Aqel Al Bab listed the names of the victims however did not attribute the shelling to any belligerent. Smart News, however, reported Turkish airstrikes on Al Baza’a that day without mentioning civilian harm. LCCSY, on

Summary

First published
January 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child4 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Incident Code

TS095

LOCATION

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were reported killed and possibly dozens more wounded in alleged air and artillery strikes by Turkish-backed troops on YPG forces in Afrin, according to local media on the ground. Al Jazeera reported that “Turkish artillery shelled the positions of the Kurdish People’s Protection and Protection Units in several areas of Afrin.

Summary

First published
January 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
9–24
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
11 named, 1 familiy identified
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

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS343 TS005C

LOCATION

حساجك, Hassadjek, Aleppo, Syria

At least 6 people were killed by airstrikes in the vicinity of Hassadjek village in Aleppo, though the circumstances were unclear. Initially, Voice of Kurdistan blamed the US-led Coalition for a strike occurring around 3am, which it said left six people dead and four wounded. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian and Syrian government

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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 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

December 28, 2016

Incident Code

TS034

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and five civilians were reported killed in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab, Syria. LCCSY reported: “By the end of the day, 16 people were killed in Aleppo, majority are by landmines by ISIS and Turkish artillery shelling in Al-Bab city.” Smart News only mentioned Turkish airstrikes in the area in

Summary

First published
December 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

TS016

LOCATION

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and five civilians were reportedly killed in a Turkish or Syrian regime artillery strike on Tadif outside Al Bab. Nabd Syria reported: “Five civilians were killed and others injured by the artillery shelling of the Assad forces in Tadif in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.” The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq published a

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(0–1 children)
Civilians reported injured
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2016

Incident Code

TS009

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians were reported killed as a result of Turkish airstrikes or artillery shelling on Al Bab. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that bombing during the Euphrates Shield operation “resulted in the deaths of four people at least and dozens wounded, some of them still in critical condition.” Rojava 24

Summary

First published
November 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
27
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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

TS241

LOCATION

ميشالا, Meshale, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that five civilians were killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Meshale, Syria. According to ANF, “on the axis of the village of Meshaala, the Turkish invasion aircraft launched raids on the village during the afternoon. The bombing continues as this report is being prepared. The initial death toll is five

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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

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

January 21, 2018

Incident Code

TS104

LOCATION

عفرين, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that five adult male civilians were killed and four people injured in the vicinity of Jinderes in Afrin canton. The victims names were confirmed though a private message shared with Airwars. Other sources also reported Turkish strikes in the area. According to Alnado, civilians sheltered in caves “to escape the

Summary

First published
January 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(5 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
10 named
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

February 27, 2018

Incident Code

TS232

LOCATION

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

Two named civilians died in an alleged Turkish shelling of Yilanguz village, Syria, local media reported. According to Rumaf, “The Turkish bombardment targeted the village of Jilanguz in the district of Jendiris with artillery, which led to the death of the citizen. The source published very graphic images of the victim. The victim was also

Summary

First published
February 27, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
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

February 13, 2018

Incident Code

TS191

LOCATION

عفرين, city of Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including one woman died and as many as ten others were wounded, including children, followed an alleged Turkish shelling of the city of Afrin, according to local media. Reports said that the Turkish army carried out heavy artillery shelling on Tuesday evening February 13, 2018, targeting both the neighbourhoods of Ashrafieh

Summary

First published
February 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 woman2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
6–10
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2018

Incident Code

TS255

LOCATION

قرية مسكة فوقاني, Miska Jorin, Aleppo, Syria

At least four or five civilians died in an alleged Turkish shelling of Miska Jorin village, according to sources on the ground in Syria. Afrin Now reported the death of four civilians, three of whom were still under the rubble. Other sources also put the death toll at four. ANHA was among several sources publishing

Summary

First published
March 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2016

Incident Code

TS021

LOCATION

البزاعة, Al Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians from one family were reported killed as a result of Turkish artillery shelling in Al Baza’a, according to a single source. The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq wrote: “a family of five killed following Turkish shelling on Baza’a near al Bab northeast of Aleppo.” There are no other known details available at this

Summary

First published
December 12, 2016
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

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

TS012

LOCATION

قرية الغوز, Al Ghor, Aleppo, Syria

According to the ISIS-affiliated media outlet al Amaq, five civilians were killed byTurkish artillery shelling on Al Ghor, a village west of Al Bab. “Five people killed and ten injured following Turkish artillery bombing of the village of al Ghor west of al Bab in the Aleppo countryside,” the propaganda unit claimed. There are currently

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Incident Code

TS051

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including one child died and more were wounded – including members of the civil defense – in artillery shelling on Al Bab, Syria, local media reported – though many sources didn’t identify the culprit. A tweet by a local “Amna Alali” was the only source to attrbute blame to Turkey. Ameer

Summary

First published
January 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2018

Incident Code

TS172

LOCATION

شاكتا, Shkata village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilians died in an alleged Turkish bombing of Shkata village, according to local media. The Military Council for Manbij and its Countryside reported that in the afternoon, at approximately 14:00, the Turkish Air Force launched several raids on the village of Shikata in the Shih area and targeted civilian houses. The

Summary

First published
February 9, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 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
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

December 27, 2016

Incident Code

TS032

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab, Syria. Al Bab Al Hadath said that “one person was killed due to Turkish bombardment near the big mosque in Al-Bab city.” According to LCCSY, eight people were killed in the Aleppo area and “the majority” of them in Al

Summary

First published
December 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(0–1 women2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 27, 2019

Incident Code

TI024

LOCATION

سنكاسار, Sangasar, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Three or four civilians of the same family were reportedly killed by an alleged Turkish airstrike on a civilian car on Berker near Sangasar on June 27th, 2019, according to local sources. According to ANF, “Three civilians, including children and women, lost their lives and 5 civilians were injured in the attack. Among those who

Summary

First published
June 27, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child1 woman1 man)
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
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 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

January 19, 2017

Incident Code

TS055

LOCATION

الباب , Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians died in an alleged Turkish artillery bombardment in Al Bab, according to local media. According to Aleppo 24: “two members of the civil defence were killed and a number more wounded as a result of the Turkish aviation targeting Al Bab  on Thursday [Jan 19th]. The members of the civil defence died as

Summary

First published
January 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
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

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS335 TS005b

LOCATION

تل بطال, Tall Btal, Aleppo, Syria

Between 3 and 4 displaced people were reported killed in camps near Tal Btal, a village south of Ra’i in the Aleppo countryside. It was unclear whether Turkey or the Coalition was responsible. Ramaf reported that an attack hit a camp, claiming “the lives of three martyrs and [left] more than fifteen wounded as a

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(0–1 children)
Civilians reported injured
15
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2017

Incident Code

TS056

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and four civilians died and up to 13 more were wounded in alleged Turkish artillery and air strikes on Al Bab, Syria, local media reported. According to Al Bab News, there were “three dead and 11 injured in a continuous Turkish aerial and artillery bombardment of Al Bab”. Syria News Desk gave more detail

Summary

First published
January 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Civilians reported injured
11–13
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 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

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

TS257

LOCATION

قرية ترندة, Tarnada villlage, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

At least three of four children from the same family died, and their mother was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Tarnada village near the city of Afrin, according to local media. Reports said that their home was struck. Afrin Now reported: The death of three children and the injury of a child and

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3–4 children)
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
5 named
View Incident