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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

14 November 2016

Incident Code

TS009

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and five civilians were reported killed as a result of Turkish airstrikes or artillery shelling on Al Bab. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that bombing during the Euphrates Shield operation "resulted in the deaths of four people at least and dozens wounded, some of them still in critical condition." Rojava 24…

Summary

Published
14 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
27
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2016

Incident Codes

TS007 CS371

Location

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
One or two civilians were reported killed and three injured in ‘Coalition’ strikes on Al Bab. However, other reports claimed that Turkey and its FSA allies may have been responsible. Sky News reported that Turkish tanks were advancing on Al Bab, while France 24 described Turkish airstrikes on the city. Reporting casualties, Halab News said…

Summary

Published
13 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2016

Incident Code

TS008

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Various sources reported intense attacks by Turkish and FSA forces on Al Bab in a push to oust ISIS from the city. The only source which reported civilian casualties was the ISIS-affiliated propaganda outlet Al A'amaq: "One dead and three civilians injured, one of them in a critical condition. following Turkish artillery bombardment of the…

Summary

Published
13 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 November 2016

Incident Codes

TS006 CS364

Location

قرية قباسين, Al Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria
One named civilian male was reported by both Halab News Network and the Violations Documentation Centre as having been killed by ‘Coalition’ strikes or shelling at Al Qabasin, Syria. However Turkish forces and their FSA allies may also have been responsible, according to other local reports. TR Diplomacy tweeted a map on the 7th, reporting that…

Summary

Published
7 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS352 TS005f

Location

الجطل, Al Jatal, Aleppo, Syria
At least one person was killed by alleged Coalition raids in the vicinity of al Jatal, according to sparse local reports. However a Turkish assault on the village was also reported at the time. Halab News named one male victim who it also said was a victim of “coalition raids.” The only other specific report…

Summary

Published
29 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS350 TS005e

Location

نعمان, Nu'man, Aleppo, Syria
Ten civilians were killed by alleged Turkish or Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of Nu'man, according to local sources. The US-led alliance later denied conducing strikes in the vicinity on this date. An initial report by ISIS-controlled propaganda unit Al A’amaq said that “10 civilians [were] killed in American raids on a group of fuel…

Summary

Published
26 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident