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

15 February 2022

Incident Code

TI077

Location

شيلادزي, Shiladze, Duhok, Iraq
At least one man was killed in alleged Turkish strikes near the town of Shiladze in Amedi district on February 15th 2022, according to local reports. Hawar News quoted Roj News Agency, which reported that Hussain Haider (Hussein Rikani) was killed in Turkish bombings of the villages in the Shiladze district of Başûr. North Press Agency…

Summary

Published
15 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 February 2022

Incident Code

TS491

Location

البهيرة, Bahira, Al Hassakah, Syria
Between one and two children were killed and three others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle in the village of Bahira on February 9, 2022. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two children were killed and three others were injured when a Turkish drone struck Bahira village in Al-Hasakah…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 February 2022

Incident Code

TS489

Location

تل تمر, Tel Tamr, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least one child was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Tel Tamar on February 2, 2022. A tweet from @me_delal, a Kurdish human right activist, reported that a child was wounded when Turkish forces shelled Tel Tamar. Both @NPA_English and Athr Press also reported that Turkish forces shelled the village of…

Summary

Published
2 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

2 February 2022

Incident Code

TS488

Location

كوباني‎, Kolya, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least one civilian, a 30 year old woman, was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Kolya on February 2, 2022. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a 30 year old woman and a civilian were seriously injured as a result of Turkish artillery shelling on the village of Kolya…

Summary

Published
2 February 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 February 2022

Incident Code

TS490

Location

عنديور, Ain Diwar, Syria
Up to two civilians were injured in Ain Diwar village, in the countryside of Derik in northeast Syria when Turkish shells hit their homes on February 2nd 2022. According to the North Press Agency, "the bombardment also resulted in the destruction of two houses, and the outbreak of fire in five houses." The SDF announced…

Summary

Published
2 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 February 2022

Incident Code

TS487

Location

تقل بقل, Takil Bakil, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, four people were killed and four to five civilians were injured in Turkish airstrikes in Takil Bakil village in the Derik countryside, in northeastern Syria on February 1st 2022 at 9pm in the evening by two missiles. The Syrian Democratic Forces identified the four people killed as being fighters. According to…

Summary

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