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

29 May 2022

Incident Code

TS511

Location

معلق, Mu’allaq, Raqqa, Syria
At least one civilian, a young man, was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Mu’allaq on the morning of May 29, 2022. According to North Press Agency, a civilian was injured in shelling carried out by Turkish forces and their affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) faction on a village west of Ain…

Summary

Published
29 May 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

26 May 2022

Incident Codes

TI080 YI003

Location

زيوا, Ziwa , Duhok, Iraq
At least two children were killed and up to two others, including a child, were injured in alleged Turkish or Kurdish strikes on Ziwa village on May 26, 2022. Birqi Omar, mukhtar (chieftain) of Ziwa village in Amedi town, told Rudaw’s Hunar Rashid that people from nearby areas were picnicking when bombs struck. “As far…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 May 2022

Incident Code

TS510

Location

المشيرفة, Al Masherfa, Raqqa, Syria
At least one civilian, a young man, was seriously wounded by alleged Turkish drone strikes near the village of Al-Masherfa on May 22, 2022. According to Hawar News, a Turkish drone attack injured 25 year old Reda Ali Hussein, who was transferred to Martyr Omar Alloush Hospital in Ain Issa district. The medical staff at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 May 2022

Incident Code

TS509

Location

الطويلة, Tawila, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least three civilians, farmers, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the town of Tel Tamr on May 22, 2022. North Press Agency reported that three civilians were wounded in Turkish shelling in the vicinity of the town of Tel Tamr. "A military source of Tel Tamr Military Council of the Syrian Democratic Forces…

Summary

Published
22 May 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

21 May 2022

Incident Code

TI078

Location

اأغجلر, Aghjalar, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
At least two civilians were killed and at least one other civilian was injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the road near the village of Tutaqal in Aghjalar on May 21, 2022. Rudaw News reported that two alleged Turkish drones struck a vehicle traveling in the subdistrict of Aghjalar killing five passengers, including at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 May 2022

Incident Code

TI079

Location

مەخموور, Makhmur, Nineveh, Iraq
At least one civilian was killed and seven others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Makhmur refugee camp on May 21, 2022. In addition, one to two alleged members of the PKK were killed in the same incident. Camp director Nechirvan Mahmoud told AFP that a suspected Turkish drone struck a vehicle in Makhmur…

Summary

Published
21 May 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
7
Military actors reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident