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

8 August 2022

Incident Code

TS541

Location

قرية جديدة, Jadida village, Raqqa, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in the alleged Turkish bombing of the village of Jadida on August 8, 2022. According to a correspondent for Hawar News, a "citizen" named Farhan Muhammad Bashir, 26, was wounded by Turkish bombing of Ain Issa. A Facebook post from Live voice specified that the bombing occurred in Jadida…

Summary

Published
8 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

6 August 2022

Incident Code

TS539

Location

الصناعة, Al-Sina'a neighborhood in Qamishli, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to four civilians, including two children, were killed and at least two others were injured in an alleged Turkish drone strike on a car in the Al Sina'a neighborhood of Qamishli on August 6, 2022. Hawar News reported that a car exploded in Al-Sinaa neighborhood in Qamishli after being stuck by a Turkish drone…

Summary

Published
6 August 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 August 2022

Incident Code

TS538

Location

تل رفعت, Tel Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria
Seven to nine people, including up to seven children, were "seriously" injured by an alleged Turrkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat city centre, in the Aleppo countryside on August 4th 2022. Hawar News also reported that this attack "resulted in injuries" but did not state how many. ANHA reported that the names of the nine…

Summary

Published
4 August 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
7–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2022

Incident Code

TS536

Location

لم الخير, Umm Al Khair, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least seven and up to ten civilians, including women and children, were reported injured in an alleged Turkish bombardment targeting Umm Al Khair village, in the countryside of Tal Tamr, in Al-Hassakah, Syria, on July 30th 2022. According to ANHA, the names and ages of those injured are as followed:  "Laila Omar Saleh, 4…

Summary

Published
30 July 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
7–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2022

Incident Code

TS537

Location

السلماسه, Al Salmsaa, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two civilians were injured, one young man and a girl, in alleged Turkish shelling in the village of Al-Salamsa, in the countryside of Tal Tamr, in Al-Hassakah, Syria on July 30th 2022. The injured were named by ANHA as Majda Khader al-Bibi, aged 16, and her brother, Hatem Khader al-Bibi, aged 24. They were reportedly…

Summary

Published
30 July 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

26 July 2022

Incident Code

TS534

Location

قرية صيدا, Seyda village, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed and one civilian was injured as a result of an attack on July 26th 2022 by an alleged Turkish drone strike struck Seyda village, in the Ain Isa district, Raqqa, Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the drone hit a car with a missile. Hawar News reported that…

Summary

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