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

28 November 2020

Incident Code

TS460

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and up to four others including a woman and her two children were injured as a result of alleged Turkish shelling or airstrikes on Ain Issa in Raqqa, Syria on November 28th, 2020. The injured civilians were moved to hospital in Raqqa for treatment. Enab Baladi said that " the…

Summary

Published
28 November 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2020

Incident Code

TS458

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria
Up to three civilians including a three-year-old child were reported injured as a result of alleged Turkish forces shelling or drone attack on Ain Issa town on November, 22nd, 2020. The injured civilians were named as Mehmud Zêd Zêdan aged 3, Mihêdin Hacî aged 35 and Minhel Ehmed El Ebîd aged 22. According to Hawar,…

Summary

Published
22 November 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Military actors reported killed
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2020

Incident Code

TS457

Location

المالكية‎, Al Malikiyah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two civilians were reported injured in Al-Malikya, Hasakah in Syria allegedly when Turkish forces opened fire on civilians working in their field on November 18th. ANHA named the two civilians as Haytham Ali from Mazra Khawari, and Shafan Bouti from Mazra Bani village. The latter was wounded in the leg, which led to cutting nerves…

Summary

Published
18 November 2020
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2020

Incident Code

TS456

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians were reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces or pro-Turkey forces artillery shelling and/or drone attack on Ain Issa in Raqqa, Syria on November 17th, 2020. Ahmed Jassim, Mahmoud Ali and Hamza Ibrahim arrived at the Ain Issa town hospital with injuries ranging from light to moderate as a result of shrapnel. Eyeonhasaka…

Summary

Published
17 November 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2020

Incident Code

TI051

Location

خلف أو قاسم ملكو, Khalaf or Qassim Malako, Nineveh, Iraq
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on an alleged PKK vehicle near the town of Khalaf or Qassim Malako, Sinjar district, Nineveh governorate, on November 8th, 2020. Up to five militants were reportedly also killed and at least three others were wounded. Hawar News reported that "The "Nasr Mobin" forces…

Summary

Published
12 November 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 November 2020

Incident Code

TS455

Location

العليا, Al Alia, Al Hassakah, Syria
A woman was reportedly killed by Turkish soldiers stationed in a military point near Al Alia, Hasaka governorate, on November 7th, 2020, according to Step News Agency. Step News Agency reported that on "Saturday morning, a woman was killed by the Turkish army stationed in a point located in the vicinity of Al Alia silos…

Summary

Published
7 November 2020
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident