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

18 May 2023

Incident Code

TS596

Location

الخاروفية, Al Kharofiya, Aleppo, Syria
An elderly man was killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Al-Kharofiya village on May 18, 2023. A local source told a North Press Agency correspondent that a civilian was killed when a vehicle close to him on the road was struck by a drone. The source also provided the name of the civilian killed:…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 May 2023

Incident Code

TS594

Location

جديدة, Jadeda, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians, including at least one child, were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Jadeda village on May 17, 2023. Rohani TV reported that Turkish forces bombarded Jadeda village, resulting in the injury of three civilians: Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa, his brother Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa, and Muhammad Salem Kamal. The director of the National Hospital in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 May 2023

Incident Code

TS595

Location

مخيم عين عيسى, Ain Issa camp, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023. Hawar News reported that during the second incident in Ain Issa district on May 17th, two civilians were injured when Turkish forces bombarded Ain Issa camp. Correspondents for Hawar added that the shelling caused an outbreak of fire in…

Summary

Published
17 May 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 May 2023

Incident Code

TS593

Location

تل اللبن, Tel Al Laban, Al Hassakah, Syria
One civilian was killed and four other civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Tal Al Laban around 10am on May 11, 2023. Hawar News reported that a civilian was killed and four others were wounded when Turkish forces bombarded the village of Tal Al Laban. Hawar also published the names…

Summary

Published
11 May 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2023

Incident Code

TS592

Location

بحيره, Bahira, Al Hassakah, Syria
A 49 year old man was allegedly shot and injured by Turkish border guards in the village of Bahira on May 3, 2023. Hawar News reported that a civilian was wounded by live bullets fired by the Turkish army. A relative of the injured civilian told a Hawar reporter that live bullets fired between 14:00…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 April 2023

Incident Code

TS591

Location

عين العبد, Ain Al Abd, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two young girls and a boy were killed and two other children were injured, all of which were from the same family, by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Ain al-Abd on April 24, 2023. Hawar News reported that two young sisters were killed and two young brothers and a sister were injured by…

Summary

Published
24 April 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident