Turkey has conducted hundreds of unilateral air and artillery strikes in both Syria and Iraq – as well as a small number of actions as part of the US-led Coalition against so-called Islamic State. From July 2015 in Iraq, occasional unilateral Turkish airstrikes began targeting Kurdish militants in northern Kurdistan. Thirteen months later, the first claimed civilian casualties from Turkish actions were reported at Jeb el-Kussa, Syria. The focus of Ankara’s recent campaign has been twofold. In late 2016 it began an intense unilateral air and ground assault to dislodge ISIS from Al Bab and other areas of Aleppo governorate, during the later stages of Syria’s civil war. Kurdish-held areas and forces were also targeted, particularly during Turkey’s successful attack (in conjunction with local Syrian ground proxies) on the Afrin enclave in early 2018. Overall more than 1,500 civilians have been locally allegedly killed in more than 300 problem Turkish air and artillery strikes in both Syria and Iraq, according to Airwars monitoring.
Airwars estimate of civilian deaths
781–1,242
Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Turkish Military actions in Iraq and Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Turkish Military. These originate from 523 separate alleged incidents.
162–186
children likely killed
107–122
women likely killed
1,814–2,478
likely injured
1,497
named victims
Turkish Military estimate of civilian deaths
0
Confirmed civilian deaths, from Turkish Military actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 1 separate incidents of civilian harm.
0
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths 1,501–2,205
Locally reported civilian deaths from Turkish Military actions in Iraq and Syria.
750 separate alleged incidents
Confirmed or
fair
Confirmed: A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Fair: Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
781–1,242
Confirmed: A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Fair: Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Fair: Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Turkish Military.
523 separate alleged incidents
Weak
Weak:
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
116–134
Weak:
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
154 separate alleged incidents
Contested
Contested:
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
303–528
Contested:
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
71 separate alleged incidents
Discounted
Discounted:
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
301
Discounted:
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.