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

Incident Code

TS568

Location

بينة, Ibbin, Aleppo, Syria
Two people were reported "slightly" injured and tens of sheep were reportedly killed by Turkish shelling in Ibbin village, Sherawa district in Afrin, Syria on November 21st 2022. According to North Press Agency and ANHA between 20 to 35 sheep were killed which were owned by Walida Hamadi.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 November 2022

Incident Code

TS565

Location

ميشنور, Meştenûr, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to three civilians, including two journalists, were injured when Turkish forces bombed the outskirts of Meştenûr on November 20, 2022. Hawar News reported that a correspondent for Sterk TV named Muhammad Jarada was injured when Turkish forces bombed the outskirts of Meştenûr. Turkish warplanes bombed Al-Jadida neighborhood, Kanya Kurdan neighborhood, and the village of Qramogh,…

Summary

Published
20 November 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2022

Incident Code

TS566

Location

تفل بقل, Takl Bakl, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to 12 civilians, including two women, a journalist, and a health care worker, were killed and between three and six others were wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes and drone strikes in the village of Takl Bakl on November 20, 2022. Rojava Information Center reported that Turkish forces carried out airstrikes on a power station…

Summary

Published
20 November 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
9–12
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2022

Incident Code

TS567

Location

جورين, Jourin, Hama, Syria
One child, a boy, and a woman, his mother, were injured as a result of Turkish-backed militant action, from factions of the "Al-Fateh Al-Mubin". The actions were reported to include artillery shells hitting the village of Jourin on November 20th 2022. The woman and child were reportedly transferred to the Suqaylabiyah National Hospital for treatment.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 November 2022

Incident Code

TS564

Location

قامشلو, Qamishlo, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians, including an unknown number of children, were reported injured as a result an alleged Turkish drone strike on a vehicle on Al-Hizam Al-Ghaby Road, near Al-Saada School in Al-Qamishly city in Al-Hasakah countryside, Syria, on November 6th 2022. Two to three SDF fighters, including a commander and a driver, were also reportedly killed…

Summary

Published
6 November 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
3
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2022

Incident Code

TS563

Location

تل حلف, Tal Halaf, Al Hassakah, Syria
A nine year old girl was killed when an alleged Turkish armored vehicle ran her over in the village of Tal Halaf on November 3, 2022. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a girl was killed when she was run over by a Turkish vehicle in the village of Tal Halaf. A local…

Summary

Published
3 November 2022
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident