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

15 April 2023

Incident Code

TI091

Location

بنجوين, Kani Miran, Saliawah and Waryawh, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Two civilians were killed and two others were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the villages of Kani Miran, Saliawah and Waryawh in Sulaymaniyah on April 15, 2023. The head of the local government in the province of Sulaymaniyah, Haval Abu Bakr, was quoted by a Facebook post from Adil Hamood as announcing that…

Summary

Published
15 April 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2023

Incident Code

TS590

Location

جنديرس, Jindires, Aleppo, Syria
Four men from the same family were killed and three others, including a child with special needs, were injured when Turkish mercenaries alleged shot them during Newroz celebrations in Jandrisa district on March 20, 2023. Local sources told Hawar News that the mercenaries of Ahrar al-Sharqiya opened fire on civilians in Jandrisa district while they…

Summary

Published
20 March 2023
Strike Type
Ground operation
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2023

Incident Code

TS589

Location

بغديك, Bagdik, Aleppo, Syria
At least two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Bagdik village in eastern countryside of Kobani on March 4, 2023. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two civilians were injured and taken to the hospital after sustaining injuries from mortar fire launched by Turkish forces on Bagdik village. Hawar News also…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2023

Incident Code

TS588

Location

بويرة, Bouira, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least one civilian was reportedly killed on February 22nd 2023 as a result of reported Turkish drone action, hitting a car on the road between Qamishli and Al-Qahtaniya, north east of Al Hasakah, Syria. كوردستان پوست Kurdistan reported on Facebook that the civilian killed was Khalil Munji. Local sources also reported that a commander…

Summary

Published
22 February 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military actors reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2023

Incident Code

TS587

Location

تل رفعت, Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria
On February 16th 2023, one civilian, a man named Yusef Abed, aged 70, was reportedly killed and one civilian was injured as a result of alleged Turkish forces' artillery shelling of Tal Rifaat in the northern countryside of Aleppo, Syria. Afrin Activists (شبكة نشطاء عفرين AAN) reported on Facebook that the other injured civilian was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 January 2023

Incident Code

TS586

Location

رميلان, Rumailan, Al Hassakah, Syria
A SDF fighter was killed and another person, either another SDF fighter or a civilian, was injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes in the city of Rumailan on January 19, 2023. A Facebook post by قامشلو الحدث Qamislo reported that a young man named Muhammad Diaa al-Din Hajji Muhammad was killed in the attack close…

Summary

Published
19 January 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident