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

23 July 2023

Incident Code

TS614

Location

قرية أبين/ بينه, village of Abyan/Bineh, Aleppo, Syria
On 23 July 2023, a female civilian was reportedly injured by Turkish artillery fire in the village of Abyan/Bineh in the Sherawa district. According to the Afrin Human Rights Organisation, 21-year old Kurdish woman Hevin Hamo Shrou from the village of Qibariyeh was injured by shrapnel in the foot as a result of artillery fire. Hevin…

Summary

Published
23 July 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2023

Incident Code

TS613

Location

عزمارين, Azmarin, Idlib, Syria
On 22nd July 2023, two civilians were reportedly injured by gunfire from Turkish border forces on the Syrian-Turkish border near the village of Azmarin, Harem in Western Idlib. The North Press reported that both Manaf Azaddin and Yamen al-Sufarani were injured when attempting to cross the border, one in the morning and the other in…

Summary

Published
22 July 2023
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2023

Incident Code

TS612

Location

قرية حسن اغا, Hasan Agha village, Aleppo, Syria
On 16th July 2023, a male civilian was reportedly injured by a Turkish drone strike on a car in the village of Hasan Agha, located to the south of the city of Manbij. 44 year-old Ahmed Al-Jassem was injured and taken to the nearest hospital for treatment and has subsequently been released. An initial Facebook…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 July 2023

Incident Code

TS611

Location

بلدة حارم, Harem town, Idlib, Syria
A man was injured when he was allegedly shot by Turkish border guards near Harem town on July 15, 2023. North Press Agency reported that Turkish border guards shot and injured a 52 year old man named Riyad al-Kanou while he was checking on his land, which is adjacent to the Turkish border near the town…

Summary

Published
15 July 2023
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2023

Incident Code

TS610

Location

جورين, Jurin, Hama, Syria
On 9th July 2023, up to three civilians were reportedly injured and a member of the regime forces were killed by an artillery strike allegedly carried out by the factions of the ‘Al-Fateh Al-Mubin’ operations room, a Turkish-based militia, in the town of Jurin, located in Sahl Al-Ghab in the western countryside of Hama. The…

Summary

Published
9 July 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 July 2023

Incident Code

TS609

Location

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria
On the 5th July 2023, two ambulance crew members were reportedly injured by a Turkish artillery strike in southern Kobani, located in the North of Syria. 30 year-old Sozdar Othman and 25 year-old Muslim Nabi Oso were injured whilst traveling to the area of Newroz Square, which was hit by mortar shells, to evacuate possible…

Summary

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