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

2 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS325 TS004

Location

دابق‎, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria
Between 5 and 8 civilians were reported killed in a Coalition or unilateral Turkish airstrike at Dabiq. According to LCCSY, “eight civilians from one family, mostly women and children, were martyred due to International Coalition warplanes shelling  #Dabiq village in the northern countryside.” Shaam News also said eight died – which it claimed included 5 children…

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2016

Incident Code

TS003

Location

ﺍﻟﻌﻤﺎﺭﻧﺔ, Al Armana, Aleppo, Syria
Fifteen to 24 civilians were reported killed in Turkish airstrikes on the town of Al Armana, as invading Turkish forces were said to have turned their attention to Kurdish YPG fighters. Al Hayat newspaper reported as many as twenty civilians were killed.  However, Turkey denied it had killed any non-combatants in the action. According to Reuters…

Summary

Published
28 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
15–24
Civilians reported injured
25
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2016

Incident Codes

CS300 TS002

Location

جب الكوسا, Jeb el Kussa, Aleppo, Syria
Twenty people were reported killed and 50 injured after clashes at Jeb el Kussa, south of Jarabulus. According to Al Alam “these people fell during battles between militants and extremist groups backed by Turkey and the so-called “democratic forces of Syria” and armed groups backed by America. The Syrian Observatory confirmed casualties in the ranks of…

Summary

Published
28 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2016

Incident Code

TI005

Location

الفاضلية, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq
A local MP complained that a number of civilians had been killed and injured in fresh Turkish shelling of Fadhiliya village. Salim Juma told NRN News that artillery strikes from a nearby Turkish base at Bashiqa “killed and injured a number of civilians, including women and children.” The MP called on the regional Kurdish government…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 March 2016

Incident Code

TS001

Location

جكة, Jakka, Aleppo, Syria
A single source, the Daesh-linked propaganda outlet Al A’amaq Media, reported an alleged ‘friendly fire’ event in the village of al Jakka: “An American plane carries out a raid by mistake on a position for the armed opposition on the outskirts of the village of Jakka in the northern Aleppo countryside, leading to deaths in…

Summary

Published
14 March 2016
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

TI004

Location

قرية الفاضلية, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq
Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Fadhiliya. According to the Iraqi National News Agency, "the bombardment of Fadhiliya village at the foot of Mount Bachik, resulted in the deaths of three civilians and the wounding of two others." There is currently no other known source available.

Summary

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