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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

6 March 2018

Incident Code

TS250

Location

الاشرفية, Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Two female children were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling of Afrin city’s al Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, local media reported. According to ANHA, “the shells fell in the Ashrafieh neighbourhood of Afrin city, injuring two children, Hanan Nazal 10, Amal Hassan,14. The two children were taken to Afrin Hospital for treatment. Medical staff said that…

Summary

Published
6 March 2018
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 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

Published
6 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

TS248

Location

فريرة, Village of Freriye, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and 15 civilians including a three-month-old baby died and up to 10 others were wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on the village of Freriye in Jindires, Syria, according to sources on the ground. ANHA reported: “The Turkish occupation air force bombed the village of Freriye in Jindires, where a three-month baby and…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–15
Civilians reported injured
8–11
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

TS247

Location

جنديرس,عفرين, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 15 civilians including two or three children and five women died and up to 32 more were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes in Jindires, Syria, local media said. However, it is possible that reports are referring to several events in Jindires, and may include T131-T133, listed above. Moreover, several sources published images which…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
2–32
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

TS244

Location

قارة تابه, Qarah Tabah village, Shara district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
One woman was killed and up to 22 more were wounded, including women and children, in alleged Turkish artillery and/or airstrike shelling of Qarah village, Syria, according to local sources. Hawar News reported: “A citizen woman was killed and an elderly man was seriously injured by the Turkish occupation army shelling on the village of…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–22
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

TS245a

Location

بربان, Civilian bus at Barbaneh village, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including an elderly woman died and 24 others including children and women were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of a bus in the village of Barbaneh, Syria. Sources said that victims were wounded by artillery shrapnel and transferred to Afrin hospital. Reports said that three victims later died. They were named as…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident