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

24 January 2018

Incident Code

TS121

Location

جمان, Jman village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Afrin Anhan reported that there were “civilian martyrs in a Turkish shelling of Jman village in Shiran district, Afrin”. Furthermore, according to Almanar, “a civilian was killed by Turkish artillery shells”. Other sources however did not report on any civilian casualties from this airstrike. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
24 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 January 2018

Incident Code

TS116

Location

Deir Jamal, Aleppo, Syria
RuMaf reported “shelling by the Turkish occupation aimed at the town of Deir Jamal, resulting in the damage to civilian property and the wounding of a civilian with shrapnel. He is in a critical condition. We are not publishing the photo as it’s too ugly.” Both Jin News and the Syrian Observatory reported on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 January 2018

Incident Code

TS117

Location

Jamo village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on  the village of Jamo, according to some sources. Afrin Anha reported: “The Turkish occupation continues to shell the houses of the residents of Afrin and its villages. The shelling of the village of Jama in the Shara area wounded 50-year-old Abdul Qader Hamo, who was seriously…

Summary

Published
24 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2018

Incident Code

TS114

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that four civilians including two children were injured in the vicinity of Shya in Afrin canton. YPG news reported Turkish bombing, but made no mention of civilian casualties. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
23 January 2018
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2018

Incident Code

TS115

Location

راجو, Rajo, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that one civilian male was killed and three people including a child were injured in the vicinity of Rajo in Afrin canton. A later private report by Rumaf named another civilian male who was killed on the same day in the same vicinity. There are no other details at this…

Summary

Published
23 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2018

Incident Code

TS112

Location

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that four civilians were injured in the vicinity of Jenderes in Afrin canton. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

Published
23 January 2018
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident