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

21 January 2018

Incident Code

TS105

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that two civilians were killed and five people injured in the vicinity of Afrin city. In a private message with Airwars, it was reported that two people were killed and two people were injured. There are no additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2018

Incident Code

TS106

Location

شيرا, Shera, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that four civilians were injured in the vicinity of Shera in Afrin canton. Injured civilians were named in a report shared with Airwars. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2018

Incident Code

TS102

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Aleppo, Syria
A number of civilians were killed in an alleged Turkish aerial bombardement of Shya and its surrounding areas. The Kurdish Red Crescent reported a number of civilians killed and injured in the vicinity of Shya in Afrin canton. A report by Aldiwan said that Turkish airstrikes resulted in “much destruction and many civilians killed in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2018

Incident Code

TS103

Location

محبة, Mobato, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported a number of civilians killed and injured in the vicinity of Mobato in Afrin canton. According to a report shared with Airwars the victims were an unnamed child (killed); and an unidentified woman suffering from shock. Adult civilian males Hassan and Mustafa Ali both reportedly received leg injuries. Other sources…

Summary

Published
21 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2018

Incident Code

TS104

Location

عفرين, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that five adult male civilians were killed and four people injured in the vicinity of Jinderes in Afrin canton. The victims names were confirmed though a private message shared with Airwars. Other sources also reported Turkish strikes in the area. According to Alnado, civilians sheltered in caves “to escape the…

Summary

Published
21 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2018

Incident Code

TS101

Location

ماريامين, Mariamain and Diwa villages, Aleppo, Syria
Afrin Now reported that three civilians were killed and 13 wounded in an alleged Turkish strike on Mariamain and Diwa villages. According to Almjhar, Hawar, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Tardous News, two of the victims died in Mariamain’s Shara area, and one in Diwa’s Gendressa quarter. Afrin Now named Ahmad Himmo as…

Summary

Published
21 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident