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

16 August 2022

Incident Code

TS549

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Tal Tamr and the vicinity on August 16, 2022. Internal Security Forces in North and East Syria (Asayish) released a statement alleging that Turkish shelling of Tal Tamr and its vicinity resulted in the injury of three civilians to varying degrees. There were no other independent…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 August 2022

Incident Code

TS545

Location

قرية ملا سباط, Mulla Sibat village, Qamishli countryside, Al Hassakah, Syria
One civilian was killed when a Turkish drone strike targeted a car in the village of Mulla Sibat in the countryside of Qamishli, Syria, on August 10th 2022. Between two and three militants were killed in the same strike. A local source on Facebook, Qamishlo Republic, reported that Adeeb Nuri Hamsho from the village of…

Summary

Published
10 August 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2022

Incident Code

TS544

Location

عامودا, Amuda, Al Hassakah, Syria
One civilian was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of a village in Amuda sub-district east of Qamishli city on August 9, 2022. Hawar News reported that Turkish bombings of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district resulted in the injury of seven civilians, four of whom are children. Hawar also documented the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 August 2022

Incident Code

TS542

Location

السلماسة, Al Salmsaa, Al Hassakah, Syria
One civilian was reported killed on August 9th 2022 in the village of Al-Salmsaa, southwest of Tal Tamr district in Syria, as a result of alleged Turkish military artillery. The incident was reported to have taken place at approximately 3:30am in the morning, which allegedly resulted in the death of Ibrahim Mohammad Hashi, aged 55.…

Summary

Published
9 August 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2022

Incident Code

TS543

Location

سيكركا, Sikirka, Al Hassakah, Syria
Six civilians, including four children and women, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Sikirka east of Qamishli city on August 9, 2022. Hawar News reported that Turkish bombings of multiple villages east of Qamishli city and in Amuda sub-district resulted in the injury of seven civilians, four of whom are children.…

Summary

Published
9 August 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2022

Incident Code

TS540

Location

تل زيوان, Tal Zewan, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least one civilian grazing sheep was injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Tel Zewan on August 8, 2022. Hawar News reported that Turkish forces shelled the village of Tel Zewan with artillery at around 13:00, injuring one civilian who was tending to his sheep. Hawar added that on the same day, Turkish forces bombed…

Summary

Published
8 August 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident