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

17 December 2022

Incident Code

TS580

Location

رقاص, Raqas, Raqqa, Syria
On December 17th 2022, at least three civilians, including a child, were reportedly killed and between one to three were injured by a Turkish drone strike on a group of civilians in Raqas village, in Tel Abyad district, Al-Raqqa province. The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces said the incident occurred at 1:30 p.m. Sources…

Summary

Published
17 December 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 December 2022

Incident Code

TS578

Location

بوبان, Boban, Aleppo, Syria
On December 15th 2022, two civilians - two brothers - were reportedly severely injured following live bullets shot by Turkish forces in Boban village (Boban Saghrir village), West of Kobane. Sources described Turkish forces' firing as "indiscriminate". Fawaz Ossi, 31 years old was allegedly shot in the stomach while he was renovating his house. When…

Summary

Published
15 December 2022
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons, Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 December 2022

Incident Code

TS577

Location

هيشان, Al Hishah, Raqqa, Syria
On December 10 2022, a civilian, a 61 years old man working on a agriculture field, was reportedly killed during Turkish strikes targeting villages located between Ain Issa district and Girê Spî (Tel Abyad) district, in Raqqah province. Turkish forces allegedly used light and heavy weapons. The victim was described as "Saleh al-Ali al-Salama (61…

Summary

Published
10 December 2022
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 December 2022

Incident Code

TS576

Location

المجيبرة, Al Mujaibra, Al Hassakah, Syria
Four children were reportedly injured on December 3rd 2022 as a result of an unexploded ordnance, a previous Turkish shell, which exploded in the village of al-Mujaibra in the countryside of the town of Tel Tamr, north of Al-Hasakah, in Syria.  The shell was reported to have hit the village that morning, but did not…

Summary

Published
3 December 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 December 2022

Incident Code

TI089

Location

جبل اسوس شارباجار, Mount Assos, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
At least one civilian was killed and up to five others were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes/drone strikes on Mount Assos on December 2, 2022. The mayor of Charbajar, Shaho Othman, told Kurdistan 24  that three people were wounded and three civilians were missing following Turkish airstrikes on Mount Assos. Kurdistan 24 later revised their casualty…

Summary

Published
2 December 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2022

Incident Code

TS575

Location

صوغانكي, Soghnaki, Aleppo, Syria
On November 29th 2022, two civilians were reportedly injured following Turkish artillery shelling on Soghnaki (Soghanaki) village in Sherawa district, Aleppo governorate.

Summary

Published
29 November 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident