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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

3 January 2017

Incident Code

TS039

Location

البزاعة, Al Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and six civilians were reported killed as a result an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Baza'a, Syria. Jabal Aqel Al Bab listed the names of the victims however did not attribute the shelling to any belligerent. Smart News, however, reported Turkish airstrikes on Al Baza'a that day without mentioning civilian harm. LCCSY, on…

Summary

Published
3 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS037 RS1812

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and 11 civilians were reported killed in alleged air and artillery shelling on Tedef. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. According to Syrianewsdesk however, "the shelling on Tadef killed eight people, including five civilians and others belonging to the organisation (Turkish armed forces)". Between six and ten civilians were wounded in…

Summary

Published
1 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–11
Civilians reported injured
6–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2016

Incident Code

TS036

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between six and 11 civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab, Syria. LCCSY wrote: "11 martyrs in Aleppo most killed in Al-Bab city due to Turkish bombardment." Al Bab Al Hadath reported that all 11 people were killed in Al Bab: "11 killed and 28 wounded, the majority are children and women,…

Summary

Published
31 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Civilians reported injured
28
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2016

Incident Code

TS035

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Around six or seven civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab, Syria, according to LCCSY. It reported that "24 people were killed in Aleppo, the majority by Turkish airstrikes in Al Bab city, Russian warplanes in Tadif and a car bomb in Soran." Turkey Post and Deutsche Welle only said there were…

Summary

Published
30 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2016

Incident Code

TS034

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and five civilians were reported killed in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab, Syria. LCCSY reported: "By the end of the day, 16 people were killed in Aleppo, majority are by landmines by ISIS and Turkish artillery shelling in Al-Bab city." Smart News only mentioned Turkish airstrikes in the area in…

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2016

Incident Code

TS033

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Al Bab Al Hadath reported that Qadro Al-Jadeed and his family were killed in a Turkish airstrike "a few days ago" on December 31st. There is currently no more information available.

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident