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 January 2023

Incident Code

TS585

Location

القحطانية, Al-Qahtaniya Road in the countryside of Al-Hassakah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians, including a child died from injuries sustained during an alleged Turkish drone strike on Al-Qahtaniya Road in Al-Hasakah on January 18, 2023. One other civilian may have also been injured. On January 18th 2023, a civilian was reportedly killed by a Turkish drone strike on a vehicle Al-Qahtaniya Road, in Al-Hasakah countryside. Syrian…

Summary

Published
18 January 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2023

Incident Code

TI090

Location

قرية خليفان, Khalifan village, Erbil, Iraq
Two children were injured when Turkish forces allegedly shot them in the village of Khalifan on January 13, 2022. Alyaum TV reported that two children were injured while grazing cattle in the "Khalifan" area of the "Sidkan" district when Turkish forces shot them. Hawar News (quoting Roj News Agency) added that the children were shot…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 January 2023

Incident Code

TS584

Location

الخالدية, Al Khalidiyah, Raqqa, Syria
On January 7th 2023, a child was reportedly wounded in a Turkish drone attack on Al-Khalidiyah village, Ain Issa district. He was identified as 10 years old Ali Khalifa Al-Ali. Sources added that he was injured in his left hand and was taken to hospital for treatment. Local sources reported the attack between 1 and…

Summary

Published
7 January 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

25 December 2022

Incident Code

TS583

Location

تنب, Tenab, Aleppo, Syria
On December 25th 2022, a child was reportedly killed and between one to two civilians including a a child and a young man were reportedly injured by Turkish artillery shelling on a house in Tenab village (Tanab village), Shara district, Afrin. The attack also led to material damage. Local sources identified the child killed as…

Summary

Published
25 December 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2022

Incident Code

TS582

Location

خزيموك, Khazimuk, Al Hassakah, Syria
On December 24th 2022, four civilians, three women and a child, were reportedly injured by a Turkish drone targeting a poultry farm. The attack was recorded at around noon, in Mezkift village (Mazkaft village) or near Khazimuk village, north of Hassakeh. The women wounded were identified as Aisha Khalaf Ali, Jawaher Khaled Muhammad, Thawrat Al-Matar,…

Summary

Published
24 December 2022
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2022

Incident Code

TS581

Location

كوباني, Zor Maghar, west of Ain Al-Arab( kobani), countryside of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
On December 22nd 2022, three civilians, working for the Water Directorate in Kobani, were reportedly injured while doing maintenance work by Turkish artillery or heavy weapons in Zor Maghar village (or Sheikh Fawqani village or Al-Shuyukh village), west of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The wounded were taken to Al-Amal hospital for treatment, located in Kobani city.…

Summary

Published
22 December 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Water
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident