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
970 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

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

Incident Date

22 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS345 TS005d

Location

الطويحينة, Al Tweihina, Aleppo, Syria
Airstrikes, possibly carried out by Turkish forces, killed one civilian according to one local report. Others referred only to violent clashes between non state actors. Smart News Agency reported that “international Coalition aircraft” targeting ISIS in Al Tweihina which it said killed one civilian and two members of the terror group. However, the report identified…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS343 TS005C

Location

حساجك, Hassadjek, Aleppo, Syria
At least 6 people were killed by airstrikes in the vicinity of Hassadjek village in Aleppo, though the circumstances were unclear. Initially, Voice of Kurdistan blamed the US-led Coalition for a strike occurring around 3am, which it said left six people dead and four wounded. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian and Syrian government…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS335 TS005b

Location

تل بطال, Tall Btal, Aleppo, Syria
Between 3 and 4 displaced people were reported killed in camps near Tal Btal, a village south of Ra’i in the Aleppo countryside. It was unclear whether Turkey or the Coalition was responsible. Ramaf reported that an attack hit a camp, claiming “the lives of three martyrs and [left] more than fifteen wounded as a…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS333 TS005a

Location

دويبق, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria
Twelve to 14 civilians, including up to seven children and five women, were killed in air raids on the village of Dabiq in Aleppo governorate, according to local reports. It was alleged that both the Coalition and Turkey were responsible. The Syrian Network reported “at least 8 civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–14
Civilians reported injured
23
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2016

Incident Code

TI006

Location

فايده, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq
Local and governmental sources said Turkish artillery had targeted Al Fadhiliyah village in Bashiqa, north of Mosul, resulting in the deaths of two civilian brothers and four injuries. The Coalition later made clear it did not view Turkish actions in Iraq as being a part of the international alliance’s effort to defeat ISIL. According to…

Summary

Published
3 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident