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

27 January 2018

Incident Code

TS131

Location

راحو, Rajo, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that six adult male civilians were injured in the Rajo area of Afrin Canton. In a report shared with Airwars, six adults were named as injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it also “monitored the continued Turkish forces shelling in areas of Afrin countryside. The bombing focused…

Summary

Published
27 January 2018
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2018

Incident Code

TS127

Location

معبطلي, Ma'abatli village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Between seven and nine civilians from one family died in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Ma’abatli village, according to sources on the ground. The family were reportedly from the city of Idlib. Local media said that three of them remained under the rubble. The story of the family’s death formed the basis of an article…

Summary

Published
26 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2018

Incident Code

TS128

Location

راجو, Rajo village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Up to nine civilians died and dozens more were reportedly injured in alleged Turkish air and artillery strikes in Rajo village, according to local media. Reports from Free Afrin said that a family was struck by a reported Turkish strike – killing one civilian and injuring two more. While most sources initially reported the victims…

Summary

Published
26 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–9
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2018

Incident Code

TS129

Location

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported the death of one man and the injuring of six additional civilians in the vicinity of Jinderes. According to a report shared with Airwars, six additional persons were injured - they are listed below. According to the Smart News Agency, “The centre of the city of Jenderi cam under an…

Summary

Published
26 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 January 2018

Incident Code

TS125

Location

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that one civilian boy died in the Jenderes area. A second man was reported injured. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

Published
25 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 January 2018

Incident Code

TS126

Location

راحو, Rajo, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that one 18 year old civilian male died in the Rajo area. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

Published
25 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident