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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

27 September 2023

Incident Code

TS632

Location

قرية حدريات, Hudayrat village, Raqqa, Syria
On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that an artillery shelling was allegedly carried out by the Turkish forces and their proxy factions on Hudayrat village in Al-Hishah district of the eastern countryside of Ain Issa. The attack reportedly killed at least one civilian, later identified as Omar Muhammad…

Summary

Published
27 September 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2023

Incident Code

TI096

Location

قرية بوگریسکان, Bugriskan village, Sinjar district, Bashdar district , Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
A woman was killed and a man injured by two drone strikes, allegedly conducted by the Turkish military, on the village of Bugriskan, in the Sinjar district on September 27th, 2023. The strikes were also reported to have killed six Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants. Bas News reported that the casualties occurred in “two separate…

Summary

Published
27 September 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2023

Incident Code

TS631

Location

قرية صفاوية, Safawiyah village, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian was injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Safawiyah on September 21, 2023. Hawar News reported that a citizen named Qaban Aziz Al-Khalil (29 years old) was injured and transferred to Al-Raqqa Hospital to receive treatment when a Turkish drone bombed the village of Safawiyah. BasNews reported that a Turkish drone…

Summary

Published
21 September 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2023

Incident Code

TS630

Location

قرية أبو نيتونا, Abu Nitouna, Raqqa, Syria
At least one civilian was seriously injured by an alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Abu Nitouna on September 20, 2023 According to ANF's correspondent, a citizen named Majed Ibrahim Ali was seriously injured by a Turkish bombardment of the village of Abu Nitouna. Alyaum TV added that in addition to the civilian injury,…

Summary

Published
20 September 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2023

Incident Code

TS629

Location

عامودا, Qamishlo-Amuda road, Al Hassakah, Syria
Between two and eight civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Ali Faro Road between Qamishlo and Amuda on September 17, 2023. Up to four militants were killed and three others were injured in the original strike, while the civilians were injured in a double tap strike as they tried to help the…

Summary

Published
17 September 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military actors reported killed
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2023

Incident Code

TS628

Location

قرية طحمة, Tahna village, Aleppo, Syria
Three children were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Tahna village on September 6, 2023. At the time of reporting, all three children were in the intensive care unit in serious condition. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three children from the same family were seriously injury by Turkish shelling of Tahna village…

Summary

Published
6 September 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident