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

30 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS069 RS1864

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and seven civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab. Hara FM accused Russia of the attack: "Four people dead and three wounded from one family from Russian bombing of the village Qasr al-Bureij southeast of the city of Al Bab." The Syrian Network for Human Rights also…

Summary

Published
30 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2017

Incident Code

TS068

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were reported killed in alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab. The ISIS propaganda outlet Al A'amaq said that "two children were killed and nine others injured in Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab northeast of Aleppo." There is currently no more information available.

Summary

Published
29 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2017

Incident Code

TS067

Location

تل بطنان, Tal Btan, Aleppo, Syria
Around five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes near Tal Btan, according to sources on the ground. LCCSY wrote: "Eight dead in Aleppo, most of them killed by the Turkish jets during their escape from Alban to Tal Btan village." There is currently no more information available.

Summary

Published
28 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS462 TS066

Location

البزاعة, Al Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrikes, according to sources. The Syrian Network noted that “four civilians (2 children and their parents) died when International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Baza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.” However according to Ara News, “A statement issued by the Presidency of the…

Summary

Published
27 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS065 RS1858

Location

جب مخزوم, Jeb Makhzoum, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians from one family were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish or Russian airstrikes or artillery shelling on Jeb Makhzoum near Al Arima. The Syrian Obseratory for Human Rights said it "learned that a man was killed along with his wife and five of their children who are under the age of eighteen. They were…

Summary

Published
27 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2017

Incident Code

TS064

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Eight people were reportedly injured as a result of an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab. Al Bab News and the ISIS-affiliated outlet Al A'amaq said that most of the wounded were women and children. There are currently no further details available.

Summary

Published
27 January 2017
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident