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

3 October 2022

Incident Code

TS557

Location

قرية تل اللبن, Tal al-Laban village, Al Hassakah, Syria
Four civilians were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Tal al-Laban in the Tel Tamr countryside on October 3, 2022. According to Hawar News, four civilians were injured when Turkish forces bombed the village of Tal al-Laban and the injured were taken to a hospital in Tel Tamr district to receive treatment. The…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 September 2022

Incident Code

TS556

Location

قرية مشيرفة, Mushairfa village, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two children were killed and up to eight other civilians, including three women and two children, were injured in alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Mushairfa on September 27, 2022. According to Hawar News, two civilians were killed and five others, including women and children, were injured when Turkish forces bombed the village of…

Summary

Published
27 September 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2022

Incident Code

TS555

Location

قرية السويدية, village of Al-Suwaydia, Raqqa, Syria
At least 2 people were killed and up to three others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Al-Suwaydia on September 20, 2022. Sources are conflicted as to whether the civilians killed were digging tunnels for the SDF or were in their homes. According to Hawar News, two civilians were killed…

Summary

Published
20 September 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–3
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 September 2022

Incident Code

TS554

Location

قرية قرموغ, village of Qara Mogh, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was injured by alleged Turkish artillery and mortar shelling of the village of Qara Mogh on September 18, 2022. According to Hawar News, a young man was injured by Turkish bombardment of artillery shells and mortars on the village of Qara Mogh. The injured victim is named Khalil Badr, 18 years…

Summary

Published
18 September 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2022

Incident Code

TI087

Location

مخيم مخمور, Makhmour camp, Erbil, Iraq
At least one civilian was killed and up to four others were injured, including women and children, when a Turkish airplane or drone launched strikes on a home in Makhmour camp on August 29, 2022. Some local sources indicate that a member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was also killed in the incident. Hawar…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 August 2022

Incident Code

TS553

Location

تل رفعت, city centre of Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed and between five to nine others were injured when a Turkish drone was reported to target a market in the city centre of Tal Rifaat in the countryside of Aleppo, on August 24th 2022. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the market was targeted in Tal Rifaat…

Summary

Published
24 August 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
5–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident