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

4 July 2022

Incident Codes

TS524 ISSY025

Location

هوشان, Hoshan, Raqqa, Syria
One to two civilians were reported killed and three others were injured, including two children, on July 4th 2022, when Turkish or Israeli shelling targeted the village of Al-Hoshan in the countryside of Ain Issa, Syria. The majority of the sources blamed Turkey for the attack but Sout Al Hayat reported that it was as…

Summary

Published
4 July 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military, Israeli Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2022

Incident Code

TS523

Location

جراد, Jarad, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was reported killed after a Turkish missile shelling on Jarad village in the northern Manbij countryside, in the Aleppo region of Syria on July 2nd 2022. ANHA reported that the civilian killed was Mohammed Khaled al-Mohammad, aged 23. A local source told North Press that "the young man, Muhammad Khalid Muhammad Ali (23),…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2022

Incident Code

TS522

Location

حسن عرب, Arab Hassan, Aleppo, Syria
At least two civilians, children, were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes/artillery strikes on Arab Hassan village in northern Manbij countryside on June 29, 2022. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two civilians were killed when Turkish forces shelled the outskirts of Arab Hassan village in northern Manbij countryside. Manbij Media Center reported that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2022

Incident Code

TS521

Location

خان الجبل, Khan Al Jabal, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two to three civilians were injured after a Turkish drone targeted two cars in Khan Al  Jabal, south-east of Derik in Syria on June 28th 2022 at approximately 03.20. There were reports of one person killed but it is not possible to determine whether they were a belligerent or civilian from the current information. According…

Summary

Published
28 June 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military actors reported killed
0–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2022

Incident Code

TS520

Location

تل اللبن, Tal Al Laban, Al Hassakah, Syria
One person was reported killed in a Turkish drone strike on Tal al-Laban, Tal Tamr, in the north-west of Al-Hasakah, Syria, on June 27th 2022.  It is unclear whether this was a belligerent or civilian. Despite having limited reports of this attack, some indicate that the person injured was a "citizen" and others mention that…

Summary

Published
27 June 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 June 2022

Incident Code

TS519

Location

راجو, Rajo, Aleppo, Syria
A man was killed when an alleged Turkish armored vehicle ran him over while he was walking in the town of Rajo of Afrin on June 20, 2022. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a civilian from Rajo district in Afrin was killed when a Turkish armored vehicle ran over him in…

Summary

Published
20 June 2022
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict, Use of objects and other means
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident