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

8 January 2022

Incident Code

TS483b

Location

Koltepe village, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes or drone strikes on Koltepe village and the surrounding villages on January 8, 2022. According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in total one civilian was killed and 12 other civilians, including women and children, were wounded in incidents across Kobani. The injuries varied in severity and…

Summary

Published
8 January 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

8 January 2022

Incident Code

TS483c

Location

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria
At least five civilians, including a woman and a child, were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes or drone strikes on Kobani on January 8, 2022. According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in total one civilian was killed and 12 other civilians, including women and children, were wounded in incidents across Kobani. The injuries varied…

Summary

Published
8 January 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

Incident Date

30 December 2021

Incident Code

TS482

Location

زركان, Zarkan, Al Hassakah, Syria
Between two and five civilians, including up to two women and three children, were killed and up to 12 others, including women and children, were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on Zarkan ( Abu Rassein) on December 30, 2021. According to the Hawar News Agency, three civilians, Jamala Musa Al-Nahar, Jawaher Musa Al-Nahar, and the…

Summary

Published
30 December 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27–28 December, 2021

Incident Code

TI075

Location

Bankê, Duhok, Iraq
At least one woman was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the village of Bankê between December 27-28th 2021, according to local reports. Nalia Media Corporation reported that a woman was badly injured in Turkish air strikes near residents' homes in the village of Bankê. The injured woman was taken to the hospital in Zakho and…

Summary

Published
28 December 2021
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

25 December 2021

Incident Code

TS481

Location

كوباني, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five people, including three women, were killed and up to seven others were wounded in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the city of Kobani at 4pm on December 25, 2021. Sources are conflicted as to whether the victims were civilians in a home or escorts with a Syrian Defense Forces leader. Hawar News…

Summary

Published
29 December 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
3–7
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2021

Incident Code

TS480

Location

زركان, Zarkan, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least three civilians, including two women, were killed and up to nine others, including three children, were injured in alleged Turkish artillery or airstrikes on the town of Zarkan and surrounding areas on December 21, 2021. According to Hawar News, three civilians were killed and four other civilians were injured when Turkish forces bombed…

Summary

Published
21 December 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident