Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

Turkey fought numerous military actors after intervening militarily in the Syrian Civil War in 2015, primarily against Kurdish forces but also at times the Islamic State. In northern Iraq, Turkey’s military campaign against Kurdish militant groups has expanded in recent years.

Airwars has documented hundreds of allegations of civilian harm by Turkish strikes against Kurdish-affiliated forces in Iraq and Syria since 2015.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

1,009 – 1,493

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 980 separate alleged incidents.

215 – 242
children likely killed
150 – 170
women likely killed
2,439
likely injured
2,230
named victims

Turkish Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Turkish Military actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
1,752 – 2,484
Locally reported civilian deaths from Turkish Military actions in Iraq and Syria.
980 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
1,009 – 1,493
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Turkish Military
731 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
116 – 134
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
164 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
326 – 556
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
82 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
301
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
2 seperate alleged incidents
969 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

11 October 2019

Incident Code

TS316

Location

عين ديوار, Ayn Diwar, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least two civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Ayn Diwar village, east of Derik, local sources said. @dersi4m tweeted: "The Turkish army is shelling the village Ayn Diwar, 12 km eastern of Derik. Two civilians have been wounded." ANF reported: "The village of Ayn Diwar, 12 km east of Derik city…

Summary

Published
11 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 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

Published
11 October 2019
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2019

Incident Code

TS303

Location

الدرباسية, Between Qeremi and Dirbêsiyê, Al Hassakah, Syria
One child was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on the area between the village of Qeremi and the town center on the Serêkaniyê road, on October 10th 2019 according to local media sources.

Summary

Published
10 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2019

Incident Code

TS304

Location

Qamishli: Qidurbek, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians including a child and a woman died in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Qidurbek neighbourhood in Qamishli - Hasaka governorate on October 10th 2019, accoridng to local sources. Smart News said that two civilians "were injured in Turkish artillery shelling on Qidurbek neighbourhood in al-Qamishli city of Hasaka." ANHA reported that Beşir…

Summary

Published
10 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2019

Incident Code

TS306C

Location

علي باجلية, Baciliye/El-Elî Baciliye, Al Hassakah, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed and four others injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Baciliye village in Tal Abyad on October 10th 2019, according to local media sources. @PLisboaab said the attack occurred at 18:50 local time.

Summary

Published
10 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2019

Incident Code

TS305

Location

Nayif Girê, Al Hassakah, Syria
A civilian was reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces airstrike on Nayif Girê village in Qamishli, on October 10th 2019, according to local media sources. The victim was named as Mihemed Ehmed El-Hemadî.

Summary

Published
10 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident