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

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

April 28, 2024

Incident Code

TI107

LOCATION

قجبال برادوست, Mount Bradost, Erbil, Iraq

On Sunday, April 28th, 2024, two civilian men, Ahmed Haidari and Rasoul Yunus, were killed and one civilian was reportedly injured in an airstrike allegedly perpetrated by Turkish aircraft in the Bradost mountains located in the east of the Erbil Governorate, Iraq. According to the American CPT organization quoted by the Kurdistan Revolution in Arabic Facebook

Summary

First published
April 28, 2024
Last updated
August 6, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
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.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
2 named
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

Incident date

June 26, 2019

Incident Code

TI023

LOCATION

زين خليل, Zain Khalil, Duhok, Iraq

One civilian was killed and as many as three others wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike in the Bradost region of Iraqi Kurdistan on June 26th, 2019 according to local media reports. 25-year-old Mansour Nafie lost his life in the attack, while his brother Bashiu Nafie was injured according to Rudaw. ANF reported that as

Summary

First published
June 26, 2019
Last updated
June 24, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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.
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2017

Incident Code

TI011

LOCATION

سيدكان, Barmiza village, Sidkan, Erbil, Iraq

One civilian was killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Barmiza village, Sidkan area, on November 13th, 2017, according to local sources. A local Kurdish outlet, Yaqein Agency, reported the day of the incident that one civilian was killed by alleged Turkish airstrikes on Sidkan, north of Erbil. In January 2019, Christian Peacemaker Teams Iraqi Kurdistan

Summary

First published
November 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2018

Incident Code

TI014

LOCATION

شيلاديزي, Shiladeza, Duhok, Iraq

According to local sources, one civilian was killed and one or two more were injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on the Shiladeza area, north of Duhok province in Iraqi Kurdistan. One local source told Roj News Agency that the raids began in the afternoon, striking the village of Hillah, “in the area between Rikani

Summary

First published
March 25, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2018

Incident Code

TI018

LOCATION

دهوك, Duhok, Iraq

Several sources reported that an alleged Turkish airstrike killed a civilian near the province of Duhok. A “security source” quoted in reports from Almaalhomah, Iraqhbar and Alahdnews, mentions that “the bombing killed a farmer near the place of the fall of a missile.” He reportedly added that “the body was transferred to the Department of

Summary

First published
November 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 17, 2016

Incident Code

TI005

LOCATION

الفاضلية, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq

A local MP complained that a number of civilians had been killed and injured in fresh Turkish shelling of Fadhiliya village. Salim Juma told NRN News that artillery strikes from a nearby Turkish base at Bashiqa “killed and injured a number of civilians, including women and children.” The MP called on the regional Kurdish government

Summary

First published
July 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

TI006

LOCATION

فايده, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq

Local and governmental sources said Turkish artillery had targeted Al Fadhiliyah village in Bashiqa, north of Mosul, resulting in the deaths of two civilian brothers and four injuries. The Coalition later made clear it did not view Turkish actions in Iraq as being a part of the international alliance’s effort to defeat ISIL. According to

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

TI004

LOCATION

قرية الفاضلية, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq

Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Fadhiliya. According to the Iraqi National News Agency, “the bombardment of Fadhiliya village at the foot of Mount Bachik, resulted in the deaths of three civilians and the wounding of two others.” There is currently no other known source available.

Summary

First published
February 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2018

Incident Code

TI019

LOCATION

عمادية, Amadiyah, Duhok, Iraq

At least three civilian men were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes targeting the Kurdish district of Amadiyah, Dohuk. No sources mentioned the number of wounded. Several sources identified three victims by name. Ramadan Rikani, a local official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) added that the victims were “sons of one village, two of them

Summary

First published
November 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 11, 2015

Incident Code

TI003

LOCATION

قنديل, اقشين, الزاب, Qandil, Avashin and Zap, Nineveh, Iraq

Turkish air forces bombed positions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, the army said in a statement. Airstrikes hit mountainous areas in northern Iraq, including Qandil, Avashin and Zap. Turkish authorities said their strikes hit locations of the PKK rebels. However, Kurdish sources in northern Iraq reported via a single source that

Summary

First published
September 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
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 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

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

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

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

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

TI010

LOCATION

دهوك, Dohuk, Duhok, Iraq

The Kurdistan Regional Government said that seven civilians were killed by Turkish airstrikes on Dohuk village. Skyiraq reported: “The air strikes launched by the Turkish warplanes targeted areas in the province of Dohuk and killed seven civilians.” The government said in a statement that while the citizens were going to do their work on their

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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 1, 2015

Incident Code

TI002

LOCATION

زرجيلي, Zergele, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Multiple Turkish airstrikes reportedly killed eight or more residents and injured at least eight others – including a child – in an attack on the village of Zergele in the Kandil Mountains. Alusmaria reported: “Turkish planes today bombed the village of Zergele north of the border, killing eight civilians, wounding ten others and destroying seven

Summary

First published
August 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child2 women5–7 men)
Civilians reported injured
8–11
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
Unknown
Named victims
14 named, 2 families identified
View Incident