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

1 April 2022

Incident Code

TS497

Location

القحطانية, “M4” international highway, Al-Qahtaniyah town, Al Hassakah, Syria
One person was killed and two others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a car traveling on the “M4” international highway near Al-Qahtaniyah town on April 1, 2022. The combatant status of one of the people injured is contested due to his role in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), while the others killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 March 2022

Incident Code

TS496

Location

قرية الجات, Al Jat village, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Al-Jat village on March 15, 2022. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a drone struck Al-Jat village in the northeast of Manbij city with several bombs, injuring two civilians. A Facebook post from Hawar News quoted the media center of the Manbij Military…

Summary

Published
16 March 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2022

Incident Code

TS495

Location

قرية التوخار, Al Tafkhar village, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Al Tafkhar on February 28, 2022. Hawar News reported that a civilian was injured by Turkish shelling on the village of Al Tafkhar. The media center of the Manbij Military Council said that the Turkish forces struck at exactly 8:00 this…

Summary

Published
28 February 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

27 February 2022

Incident Code

TS494

Location

أم الخير, Umm Al Khair, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least one civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Umm Al 36.654235&lon=40.372868Khair in the countryside of Tal Tamr district on February 27, 2022. According to Hawar News, a woman was injured as a result of Turkish forces bombing of the countryside of Tal Tamr district. Turkish forces bombed…

Summary

Published
27 February 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

24 February 2022

Incident Code

TS493

Location

الطريق بين القامشلي وعامودا, Road between Qamishli and Amouda, Al Hassakah, Syria
Four civilians, including three women and their driver, were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the Qamishlo-Amouda road on February 24, 2022. According to Hawar News, a car was struck by a Turkish drone, resulting of the injury of four people, including three women. The car was traveling on the Qamishlo-Amouda road, east of…

Summary

Published
24 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2022

Incident Code

TS492

Location

تل رفعت, Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on Tal Rifaat on February 15, 2022. Hawar News reported that five civilians, including women and children, were injured when Turkish forces bombed Tal Rifaat. North Press Agency put the total number of injuries at four and…

Summary

Published
15 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident