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

5 June 2022

Incident Code

TS516

Location

عين عيسى, Abu Naytulah, Raqqa, Syria
At least three men were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Abu Naytulah in Ain Issa on June 5, 2022. Hawar News reported that three civilians were injured in Turkish shelling of the village of Abu Naytulah in Ain Issa. The source added that the injured were transferred to the Chalabiye district…

Summary

Published
5 June 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

3 June 2022

Incident Code

TS515

Location

قرية ام القرى, Um Al Qura village, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and two civilians were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Um Al Qura on June 3, 2022. According to North Press Agency, a displaced person from the village of Afraz was injured when Turkish forces bombed the village of Um Al Qura. The injured man's house was damaged and the…

Summary

Published
3 June 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2022

Incident Code

TS513

Location

دادا عبدال, Dada Abdel, Al Hassakah, Syria
Between one and two civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Dada Abdel in Zarkan district on June 2, 2022. Hawar News reported that two people were injured when Turkish forces bombed the center of Zarghan district, its hospital, and villages, destroying a number of houses. Xeber24 added…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 June 2022

Incident Code

TS514

Location

طنب, Tanab, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was injured in Tanab village, Shirawa district in the northern countryside of Afrin, Syria on June 2nd 2022 from "heavy gunfire"  and "shelling" attributed to Turkish forces and the SNA by local sources. The civilian injured was reported to be Hassan Mustafa, aged between 12 and 13, according to different local sources. At…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 June 2022

Incident Code

TS512

Location

شيشة, Shisha, Raqqa, Syria
At least two civilians, including a child and a woman from the same family, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the villages of Gorik and Sheshi in western Gire Spi on June 1, 2022. Hawar News also reported that a woman and a child were injured in Turkish shelling of Sheshi village in the western…

Summary

Published
1 June 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

1 June 2022

Incident Code

TS512a

Location

Gorik, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Gorik in western Gire Spi Canton on June 1, 2022. According to Hawar News, Mohamed Ismail, known as Abu Umar was injured in Turkish shelling of the village of Gorik in western Gire Spi Canton. Abu Umar was taken to Manbij hospital but there…

Summary

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