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

27 October 2022

Incident Code

TS562

Location

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Aqiba on October 27, 2022. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that two children were injured by Turkish shelling of civilian homes in the village of Aqiba. SOHR added that Turkish forces launched more than 15 artillery shells at the village…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 October 2022

Incident Code

TI088

Location

برادوست, Bradost area, Erbil, Iraq
At least one civilian, a woman, was injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes or drone strikes on the Bradost area in northern Erbil province on October 16, 2022. Kurdistan 24 reported that a 30 year old woman named Sharmin Asad was injured by Turkish airstrike in the Bradost area in northern Erbil province. Ihsan Chalabi, the…

Summary

Published
16 October 2022
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

14 October 2022

Incident Code

TS561

Location

الفكة, Al Fakkah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two farmers were injured when alleged Turkish artillery shells struck their agricultural land in the village of Al-Fakkah on October 14, 2022. Hawar News reported that two farmers were wounded when Turkish forces bombed the village of Al-Fakkah, north of Tal Tamer District. Local residents told Hawar the the two injured civilians, Dhiyab Khalaf al-Darwish…

Summary

Published
14 October 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

12 October 2022

Incident Code

TS560

Location

شيراوا, Sherawa district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three women, including a pregnant woman, were killed and children were injured in clashes between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Turkish forces-associated Levant Front in the Sherawa district of Afrin on October 12, 2022. Hawar News reported that three women, including a pregnant woman, were killed and children were injured in the clashes, specifically…

Summary

Published
12 October 2022
Strike Type
Artillery, Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2022

Incident Code

TS559

Location

قرية مطمورة, Matmoura village, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to two civilians, including a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Matmoura on October 4, 2022. According to Hawar News, a civilian named Yashar Hussein al-Kamouri was wounded in the village of Matmoura by Turkish shelling. North Press Agency also identified another civilian, a woman named Ishar al-Hussein, was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 October 2022

Incident Code

TS558

Location

قرية قارموكس, Qaramox village, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Qaramox village on October 3, 2022. Kurdistan24 quoted Rojava Information Center reported that two civilians were injured by a Turkish bombardment in Qaramox village, near Kobani. A military source told North Press Agency that two people were slightly injured by the bombing in the Kobani countryside.…

Summary

Published
3 October 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