Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Iraq
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

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

August 17, 2021

Incident Code

TI065

LOCATION

قرية سكينة, Medical center in the village of Sakina, Nineveh, Iraq

At least eight people were killed, including four members of the medical staff at a hospital and four fighters of the Sinjar Resistance Units who were receiving treatment at  a hospital, and four others were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on Al-Askiniyah Hospital in the village of Sakina in Sinjar district on August 17, 2021.

Summary

First published
August 17, 2021
Last updated
September 6, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
4
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
Suspected target
Iraqi militias (PMUs)
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2023

Incident Code

TI095

LOCATION

قرية ميرغمير, village of Mergmir, Erbil, Iraq

On the 24th of August 2023, a drone strike is believed to have killed either four civilians or four PKK fighters, two of them in medical roles, in the village of Merg Mir in the Bradost region in Erbil Governorate. According to several news sources, including Roj News, Hawar News Agency and Kurdistan 24, the

Summary

First published
August 24, 2023
Last updated
September 11, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 4
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
Suspected target
YPG/SDF
Belligerents reported killed
0–4
View Incident

Incident date

August 14, 2020

Incident Code

TI047

LOCATION

أرادن‎, Araden, Duhok, Iraq

Up to three people were killed and another person was injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes on a vehicle in the village of Ardana, Dohuk governorate, on August 14th, 2020. It remains unclear whether the victims were civilians. Rudaw reported: “The director of Bamerni district, Hamid Zubeir, told Rudaw Media Network that Turkish planes targeted a

Summary

First published
August 14, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
Civilians reported injured
0–1
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 belligerent
Turkish Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Belligerents reported killed
0–3
Belligerents reported injured
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

July 8, 2021

Incident Code

TI064a

LOCATION

قرية هرور, Hirrur, Duhok, Iraq

One civilian was injured in an alleged Turkish artillery strike on the village of Hirrur, Dohuk Province on July 8 th, 2021 according to one source. Christian Peacemaker Teams said the civilian was injured by shrapnel when a Turkish military base fired shells into farmlands close to the village. No further information could be found.

Summary

First published
July 8, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
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

June 12, 2019

Incident Code

TI022b

LOCATION

Kany Motel, Duhok, Iraq

The Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraqi Kurdistan reported that two workers of a plant shop were injured in Turkish airstrikes on the town of Amadiya on June 12th, 2019. CPTIK reported: “On June 12, 2019, The Turkish Military dropped a bomb within Amadiya, just a few blocks from The Kany Motel and Tahini Factory. The

Summary

First published
June 12, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 22, 2021

Incident Code

TI053A

LOCATION

كري , Gri, Duhok, Iraq

Two children were reported injured and hundreds of sheep killed as a result of alleged Turkish bombing of three areas in Kurdistan on January 22nd, 2021. The first bombed area was Gri in Duhok’s Chamanke district, at the foot of Gara mountain near the border with Turkey. Mohammed Sheikhzade, a villager there whose two brothers

Summary

First published
January 22, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Suspected target
Other
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 17, 2022

Incident Code

TI085

LOCATION

بوابة الشام, Bab Al Sham, Nineveh, Iraq

At least five people were alleged killed and two others wounded in a drone strike in western Mosul on July 17, 2022. One woman and three men were reported killed in the attack, in a drone that state security services claimed to belong to Turkish forces. Sources were conflicted as to whether or not those

Summary

First published
July 17, 2022
Last updated
July 20, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
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.
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–5
Belligerents reported injured
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2020

Incident Code

TI037

LOCATION

Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Several civilians were allegedly injured by a Turkish airstrikes on Sinjar. ANF reported: “In Shengal, areas where civilian settlements and Serdeşt hospital are located, were bombed. According to the first information, there are some injured civilians. In addition, the people suffered material damages as a result of the bombing carried out by the Turkish state.”

Summary

First published
June 14, 2020
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
2–3
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2021

Incident Code

TI066 YI001

LOCATION

بنكي, Banke village, Duhok, Iraq

Two Iraqi tourists were killed in an alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) IED or Turkish air or artillery strike near the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021, according to local sources. Their bodies were missing until Kurdish and Iraqi security forces found them on August 22nd. The security source told Shafaq News

Summary

First published
August 20, 2021
Last updated
August 23, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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, YPG
Suspected target
Other
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2023

Incident Code

TI101

LOCATION

قرية كاركي, Karki, Sinjar District, Nineveh, Iraq

Between 6 and 8 PM on Thursday, December 28th, 2023, at least five people were killed and two others injured after an alleged Turkish drone strike on the village of Karki in the Sinjar district of Mosul province. The civilian status of five of the men killed is contested within the sources. Those killed were

Summary

First published
December 28, 2023
Last updated
February 22, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian infrastructure
Water station
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(0–5 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.
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
Belligerents reported killed
0–5
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2020

Incident Code

TI048

LOCATION

كانى ماز, Kani Masi, Duhok, Iraq

One civilian was allegedly killed by a Turkish airstrike on Kani Masi. Rudaw reported: “Khalid Abdulrahman, 60, was killed while trying to rescue his grazing livestock after several Turkish airstrike hit the village of Kani Mazin, according to Kani Masi Mayor Sarbast Akrey. ‘At 1:45pm a drone came and fired two rockets and then a

Summary

First published
August 19, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 27, 2021

Incident Code

TI075

LOCATION

Bankê, Duhok, Iraq

At least one woman was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Bankê between December 27-28th 2021, according to local reports. Nalia Media Corporation reported that a woman was badly injured in Turkish air strikes near residents’ homes in the village of Bankê. The injured woman was taken to the hospital in Zakho and

Summary

First published
December 28, 2021
Last updated
September 1, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
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
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

August 19, 2019

Incident Code

TI026a

LOCATION

بملة, Bole, Erbil, Iraq

Three or four civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Bole village, according to sources. ANF reported: “Two houses were greatly damaged by the bombardments in Bole village and four civilians were wounded. One of these, named Ehmed Ebdullah, is reported to be in a critical condition.” Kurdistan 24 said three civilians were

Summary

First published
August 19, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3–4
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

June 17, 2020

Incident Code

TI038A

LOCATION

كيلكا, Kilka , Duhok, Iraq

One civilian was reported killed as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kilka village in Kani Masi. According to Darkamazi, “Another citizen named Amin Salah Hasan in the Kani Masi area was exposed to the air strikes of the Turkish occupation, and his body was found today by the people of the region on

Summary

First published
June 17, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
Suspected target
Other
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 20, 2022

Incident Code

TI086

LOCATION

برخ, Parkh, Duhok, Iraq

Between eight and 10 civilians, including three children, were killed and up to 45 others, including four women and two children, were injured in alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Parkh on July 20, 2022. According to BasNews, five tourists were killed and 15 others were injured by Turkish shelling of a summer resort

Summary

First published
July 20, 2022
Last updated
August 2, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(3 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
20–45
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
16 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 17, 2020

Incident Code

TI038

LOCATION

Bradost, Erbil, Iraq

One civilian was allegedly killed and others injured by a Turkish airstrike in the Bradost mountains. Kurdistan24 said: “A shepherd who grazed his animals in the Bradost region died in the bombardment of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) warplanes against PKK camps yesterday afternoon. Speaking to K24, Sidekan District Manager İhsan Çelebi, of Erbil, said

Summary

First published
June 17, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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 belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

August 30, 2021

Incident Code

TI067 YI002

LOCATION

مخيم قاديا, Qadia Camp, Duhok, Iraq

Two children were killed and three to four others, including two children and an elderly man, were injured – all from the same family – when an alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or Turkish IED exploded in Qadiya refugee camp. According to the Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union (KCK), “in the late evening hours of August

Summary

First published
August 30, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Cause of injury / death
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
YPG, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2023

Incident Code

TI100

LOCATION

بامرني, Bamerni, Amedi District, Duhok, Iraq

At around 7AM on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023, a man was killed and up to three others injured after an alleged Turkish bombardment in the Bamerni subdistrict of Amedi, in Dohuk Governorate. Gulan Media named the deceased as 44-year-old Ali Jamil Kalash, the father of four children. Kalash was near his home when he died:

Summary

First published
December 5, 2023
Last updated
March 1, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture, Water station
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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.
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
0–1
View Incident