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

29 August 2019

Incident Code

TI027

Location

شران, Sherane, Duhok, Iraq
One civilian was reportedly injured in a Turkish airstrike on Sherane. ANF said: "Turkish fighter jets shelled the village of Sherane in Duhok’s Amadiya district in South Kurdistan today noon. The bombardment has reportedly left a civilian wounded." RojNews wrote: "On Thursday, Turkish warplanes bombed an area belonging to the Amedi (Amadiyah) district of Dohuk…

Summary

Published
29 August 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

19 August 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

Published
19 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2019

Incident Code

TS291

Location

برج القاص, Burj al-Qas, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was reportedly injured in a Turkish airstrike on Burj al-Qas. ANF said: "Turkish invasion army has bombed the villages of Birc Qas and Mezin in Afrin’s Sherawa district this morning. A civilian by the name of Munzur, whose last name couldn’t be learned, was killed in the attack which also left 35 years…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 July 2019

Incident Code

TI026

Location

مخيم الشهيد روستم جودي, Martyr Rustam Jodi Camp, Nineveh, Iraq
Alleged Turkish forces shelled Martyr Rustam Joudi refugee camp in Makhmour and wounded two people around 3.15 am on July 19th, according to local sources. Dwarozh News reported that Laila Arzou, the Joint Chief of Martyr Rostam Jodi camp, called on the United Nations and the federal government to protect civilians from Turkish shelling. No other…

Summary

Published
19 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2019

Incident Code

TI025

Location

سبيتدار, Spindar, Duhok, Iraq
Between three and five civilians were reported injured when Turkish airstrikes struck the village of Spindar in the evening of July 18th. Bas News reported that Turkish warplanes shelled several positions in the village Spindar with rockets, while "chasing a car for the militants of the Kurdistan Workers, where the gunmen hid in the village".…

Summary

Published
18 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Codes

TI024a IRI002

Location

ديري, Dere, Erbil, Iraq
One to two civilians, including an 18-year-old girl, were killed and up to four others injured in alleged Turkish or Iranian artillery strikes in the Bradost region of Iraqi Kurdistan on July 10th, 2019 according to local media reports. Al-Monitor reported that Iranian artillery shelled the Sidakan border area in Erbil province on July 10th…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military, Iranian Military
View Incident