Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Incident Code

TS184

LOCATION

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

In a private report to Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent reported that one civilian, named as 70-year old Mustafa Shkikho was hit by shrapnel in the chest and face as a result of an alleged Turkish shelling of Jindires, Syria. The source did not say whether the man was wounded or died. No further details

Summary

First published
February 11, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2018

Incident Code

TS216

LOCATION

قرية سيويا, Siwiyah village, Mobata district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian, reportedly with special needs, was killed in an alleged Turkish shelling of Siwiyah village, local media reported. According to Hawar news, a civilian with special needs from the village of Siwa, in the area of Mobata, was killed by the shelling of the village by the Turkish occupation army with artillery shells. Thirty-three-year-old

Summary

First published
February 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 17, 2018

Incident Code

TS280

LOCATION

باسوطة, Basouta road, south of Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

According to a single source, one male has been killed followed Turkish shelling of Basouta road, Afrin. The source identified the victim name as Azad. The tweet embedded two images of the father standing over his dead son’s body following an alleged Turkish shelling of Basouta road. However, it is unclear when the victim died – and

Summary

First published
March 17, 2018
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

January 27, 2018

Incident Code

TS132

LOCATION

Unknown, Syria

Free Afrin published a picture of a dead man, reporting that “this image is the result of the bombing of the Turkish occupation”. However, an image search showed this photo was first published on the Syrian Media Organisation on a November Facebook post [archived] on November 27th 2017. Airwars has therefore discounted the event as

Summary

First published
January 27, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Incident Code

TS227

LOCATION

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurdish activist Claudia reported that a civilian on a motorbike was killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike in Afrin, Syria. The tweet said that “he was bringing some household items (a cylinder of gas and some food) to his family but the brutality of the invaders prevented his arrival to his family”. Afrin Now

Summary

First published
February 24, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2018

Incident Code

TS259

LOCATION

ترميشا, عفرين, Termisha, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died, and another was injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Termisha, Syria, according to local media. IC Afrin reported that a 55-years-old civilian was hit and killed by a warplane yesterday night in the village of Çomezna (Mabata district). According to Hawar, another man was wounded. It named him as 48-year-old Mohammed Omar

Summary

First published
March 9, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2018

Incident Code

TS122

LOCATION

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to Rok online, “a father found his two children who were wounded days after they were displaced from the western town of Jenderes, west of Syria. Their convoy was targeted by the Turkish army and its Islamic militia. Ahmed Khallouf, a father of four children from Jandiers district, who fled to Afrin, said the

Summary

First published
January 24, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 women)
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

March 6, 2018

Incident Code

TS249

LOCATION

جنديرس,عفرين , Jindires, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian – a nurse or doctor – died and three more were wounded in an alleged Turkish bombing of Jindires, according to IC Afrin Resistance. Afrin Now reported “the martyrdom of the nurse working at Afrin hospital, Shyar Haji Abdo, while trying to rescue civilians in Jandairis region as a result of the continuous

Summary

First published
March 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
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

February 13, 2018

Incident Code

TS196

LOCATION

قرية بيكه، عفرين, Shara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One man has been killed, and two have wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Shara. The Kurdish Red Crescent identified the victims by names and ages. The weapon used has not been reported. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
February 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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

January 31, 2018

Incident Code

TS144

LOCATION

اشرفية, Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One child died and up to 12 other civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Afrin, according to local media. Sources reported that Turkey fired rockets into the city. Afrin Now and Rumaf named Arhat Ahmad Aliko, nine-years-old, as killed, though other sources listed him as wounded (see list below). The Smart News

Summary

First published
January 31, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
12
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
12 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Incident Code

TS008

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Various sources reported intense attacks by Turkish and FSA forces on Al Bab in a push to oust ISIS from the city. The only source which reported civilian casualties was the ISIS-affiliated propaganda outlet Al A’amaq: “One dead and three civilians injured, one of them in a critical condition. following Turkish artillery bombardment of the

Summary

First published
November 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Incident Code

TS155

LOCATION

زيتونك, Zeitounka, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources in Syria reported “the martyrdom of citizen Ahmed Horo, 77 years old, as a result of the Turkish bombardment of the village of Zeitounka in the countryside of Afrin.” Kurid Post provided detail on the event: “‘We were sitting in the house and a barrage of artillery shells fell unceasingly, causing panic and

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

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

January 24, 2018

Incident Code

TS124

LOCATION

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One woman was killed in an alleged Turkish strike on Jindires, according to multiple reports. The victim was named by multiple sources as 42-year-old Amina Sedak. Reports said that the victim had “special needs” and was “mentally impaired”. Most reports claimed “several wounded.” There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 24, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2018

Incident Code

TS251

LOCATION

ميركان, Mirkan villages, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One named civilian died and a second was wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling or Mirkan villages, local media reported. According to ANHA, Turkish strikes targeted the villages Mirkan and Kakhera of Mobata district, which in the case of Mirkan, killed one adult man and wounding another. The wounded man was reportedly recovering following

Summary

First published
March 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
2 named
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

November 1, 2018

Incident Code

TS285

LOCATION

تل أبيض , Tel Fender, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that a girl was killed due to Turkish shelling on Tal Fander, one of the Tal Abyad villages in northern Raqqa. Although most sources reported that the girl was killed in an airstrike, Smart claimed that the Turkish army targeted the village with heavy machine guns and sniper fire, which allegedly killed the girl after

Summary

First published
November 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2018

Incident Code

TS114

LOCATION

شيا عفرين, Shya, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that four civilians including two children were injured in the vicinity of Shya in Afrin canton. YPG news reported Turkish bombing, but made no mention of civilian casualties. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Incident Code

TS209

LOCATION

قرية قوتا, ريف عفرين , Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to multiple local sources: two civilians were wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages. Claudia, a Kurdish activist reported on Twitter, one civilian was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Quta villages. Furthermore, Afrin Now and Hawar news named an additional civilian who got fragments and breaking in his thigh, which is later named by the

Summary

First published
February 17, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

October 11, 2019

Incident Code

TS308

LOCATION

تل حلف, Tal Halaf, Al Hassakah, Syria

One woman was reported seriously injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike or artillery attack on Tal Halaf on October 11th, 2019, according to local media sources. No more information available yet.

Summary

First published
October 11, 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2019

Incident Code

TS341

LOCATION

راس العين, Ras Al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria

Eight civilians including children were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Ras al-Ain in Hasakah – Syria on October 14th, 2019, according to local sources. One of the children injured (Muhammad Hameed Muhammad, 13) was reported burned because of alleged use of white phosphorus by the Turkish forces. In the hospital, Muhammad was yelling at

Summary

First published
October 14, 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
8
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2019

Incident Code

TS359a

LOCATION

كوباني, Kobane, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and two injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike or artillery attack on Kobane in Aleppo Governorate  on October 18th, 2019, according to the Kurdish Red Crescent.  

Summary

First published
October 18, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2019

Incident Code

TS382

LOCATION

عرب حسن, Arab Hassan, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces or Turkey-backed militants’ artillery attack on Arab Hassan village, northwest of Manbej in Syria, on November 3rd, 2019, according to local sources. @NPA_English reported that the attack led to the killing of a young man. No other information is available at the moment. ANF named

Summary

First published
November 3, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
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 belligerents
Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2019

Incident Code

TS307A

LOCATION

تل أبيض, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed allegedly by Turkish forces snipers in Tal Abyad, Raqqa in Syria on October 11th, 2019 according to local sources. No other details are available at the moment.

Summary

First published
October 11, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2020

Incident Code

TS427

LOCATION

تل قبر الصغير و العبوش, Qabr Al Saqir and Al Abosh, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were injured in artillery strikes by allegedly Turkish forces and allied militants, on the villages of Qabr Al Saqir and Al Abosh in Tal Tamr district on April 2nd, 2020, according to local sources. According to Abna24, local sources told SANA, Syria’s official news agency, that “Turkish

Summary

First published
April 2, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2020

Incident Code

TS461

LOCATION

الجهبل, Al Jahbal, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that two civilian males were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Al Jahbal in eastern Ain Issa, Raqqa governorate, on December 17th, 2020. According to Rudaw, “pro-Turkey militants carried out fresh attacks on Friday against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Ain Issa, with several civilian casualties

Summary

First published
December 17, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2022

Incident Code

TS490

LOCATION

عنديور, Ain Diwar, Syria

Up to two civilians were injured in Ain Diwar village, in the countryside of Derik in northeast Syria when Turkish shells hit their homes on February 2nd 2022. According to the North Press Agency, “the bombardment also resulted in the destruction of two houses, and the outbreak of fire in five houses.” The SDF announced

Summary

First published
February 2, 2022
Last updated
February 17, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2022

Incident Code

TS522

LOCATION

حسن عرب, Arab Hassan, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians, children, were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes/artillery strikes on Arab Hassan village in northern Manbij countryside on June 29, 2022. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two civilians were killed when Turkish forces shelled the outskirts of Arab Hassan village in northern Manbij countryside. Manbij Media Center reported that

Summary

First published
June 29, 2022
Last updated
July 21, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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 19, 2022

Incident Code

TS552

LOCATION

غرناطه, Gharnata, Aleppo, Syria

A 13 year old girl was killed in alleged Turkish shelling of Gharnata village on August 19, 2022. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the young girl under the age of 18 was injured in Gharnata village and later reported that the girl had died the next day of her injuries. A Facebook post by

Summary

First published
August 19, 2022
Last updated
August 25, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident