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

16 February 2017

Incident Codes

CS498 TS081

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between 18 and 50 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bab, according to local sources. While the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that ten civilians including two children and four women died in an alleged Coalition airstrie, other sources blamed Tiurkey. A second report by SN4HR said that “International Coalition warplanes missiles fired…

Summary

Published
16 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
18–50
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2017

Incident Code

TS080

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between seven and 26 civilians including many women and children were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab. Al Bab 24 posted on Facebook that "seven people were killed following Turkish air and artillery bombardment on Al Bab northeast of Aleppo." The ISIS propaganda outlet Al Raed La Ykazeb Ahlahu initially agreed with…

Summary

Published
15 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–26
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 February 2017

Incident Codes

CS489 TS079

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, New Street, Aleppo, Syria
At least 15 civilians from the same family died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes, as the battle to seize Al Bab from ISIL continued. Up to nine other non-combatants also died. Al Jazeera initially placed the death toll at 16 and then 24, though said the fatalities resulted from “shelling and battles in the…

Summary

Published
13 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
17–24
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2017

Incident Codes

CS487 TS078

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
A Turkish or Coalition airstrike on al Bab killed up to 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. The Syrian Network blamed the US-led alliance, reporting that “8 civilians, including a child and 2 women, died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Al Bab city.” Syrian News Desk, Manbij Direct and Al Bab 24 all…

Summary

Published
12 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–12
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 February 2017

Incident Code

TS077

Location

شيا عفرين, Shya, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent named the following one civilian as wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Shya, Syria: ‘Hassan Suleiman Omar, 60, a shrapnel in the eye’ No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
7 February 2017
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2017

Incident Code

TS076

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Six civilians were reported killed and 16 more injured because of Turkish shelling of Al Bab, Syria, according to a single source. Syria News Desk wrote: "Six civilians were killed and 16 others wounded last night after Turkish artillery targeted residential areas near the Al Manshiya roundabout in the city centre of Al Bab in…

Summary

Published
7 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
16
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident