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

13 December 2021

Incident Code

TS479

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Turkish strikes on the M4 road west of Ain Issa on December 13, 2021. According to the correspondent for Nabd News, Hassan Muhammad Abdullah was injured when Turkish forces bombed highway M4 west of Ain Issa district while he was traveling on it. An image posted alongside…

Summary

Published
13 December 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2021

Incident Code

TS478

Location

الهلالية, al-Hilaliya, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least three civilian men, including a 70 year old man, were killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle in the al-Hilaliya neighborhood in the city of Qamishli on November 9, 2021. The North Press Agency reported that three people were killed in a Turkish drone strike in the al-Hilaliya neighborhood in the city of…

Summary

Published
9 November 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 October 2021

Incident Codes

TS477 CS1967

Location

العدوانية, Al Adwania, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to four men were killed in Coalition airstrikes or shootings with the alleged assistance of Turkish forces in the village of Al Adwania on October 25, 2021. One of the men, Abu Hamza Al-Shuhail, was identified as an arms dealer while sources were conflicted as to whether the other men were civilians or militants.…

Summary

Published
25 October 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2021

Incident Code

TS476

Location

كوباني‎, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria
Two people were killed and three others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Kobani on a vehicle on October 20, 2021. Sources were conflicted as to whether the people killed were civilians or militants while the three injured were reported to be civilians. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a Turkish drone…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 October 2021

Incident Code

TI074

Location

سيدان, Sidan, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Between one and two people, including a woman, were killed and two civilians were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Saydani village on October 9, 2021. The majority of sources refer to all of the casualties from the incident as civilians except BasNews, which identified two Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) fighters as being killed.…

Summary

Published
9 October 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
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

4 October 2021

Incident Code

TI073

Location

سيدان, Sidan, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Two to three people, including a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Saydani on October 4, 2021. Local sources were conflicted as to whether those injured were civilians or members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). According to Rudaw News, a 24-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man were injured…

Summary

Published
4 October 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident