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

1,011 – 1,495

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 981 separate alleged incidents.

215 – 242
children likely killed
150 – 170
women likely killed
2,439
likely injured
2,231
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
1,754 – 2,486
Locally reported civilian deaths from Turkish Military actions in Iraq and Syria.
981 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
1,011 – 1,495
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Turkish Military
732 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

27 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1712

Location

الزهراء, Al Zahra village, Aleppo, Syria
On November 27, 2016, according to the Shaam News Network amongst other local sources, two people were reportedly killed and dozens wounded when an aerial bombing resulted in "several successive explosions" hitting a residential area the town of Zahra, located in the northern countryside of Aleppo, in northwestern Syria. Where sources identified a belligerent, most…

Summary

Published
27 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

TS015

Location

Sab Wayran, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians from Sab Wayran were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes, according to local media. Smart News reported: "Two civilians were killed and others wounded on Wednesday by Turkish air and missile strikes on the city of Manbij, Aleppo, according to the information office of the Manbij military council. The spokesperson, Ahmed Mohammed, told Smart…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2016

Incident Codes

CS387 TS014

Location

صابويران, Sab Wayran, Aleppo, Syria
Two girls died in a reported Turkish or Coalition airstrike on the village of Sab Wayran near Aleppo, Syria. Manbij Military Council (linked to the SDF) reported that “two sisters were martyred from the family of Ahmad al Rashid Beish Illo after Turkish occupation planes raided their home in the village of Sab Wayran." It added…

Summary

Published
22 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2016

Incident Code

TS013

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and 17 more wounded in Turkish artillery shelling or takn fire on Al Bab. The ISIS-affiliated media outlet Al A’amaq reported: "Two killed and 17 injured, including women and children following continuous Turkish artillery shelling on the neighbourhoods of al Bab north of Aleppo.“ Ajel_1 posted a carbon copy of…

Summary

Published
22 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

TS012

Location

قرية الغوز, Al Ghor, Aleppo, Syria
According to the ISIS-affiliated media outlet al Amaq, five civilians were killed byTurkish artillery shelling on Al Ghor, a village west of Al Bab. "Five people killed and ten injured following Turkish artillery bombing of the village of al Ghor west of al Bab in the Aleppo countryside," the propaganda unit claimed. There are currently…

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

TS011

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
A child was reportedly killed and 12 more people injured as a result of Turkish artillery shelling in Al Bab. The ISIS-affiliated media outlet Al A’amaq reported: "A child was killed and 12 people injured by Turkish artillery on the neighbourhoods of Al Bab northeast of Aleppo.“ Ajal posted a similar report on Twitter, though…

Summary

Published
20 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident