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

29 October 2020

Incident Code

TS454

Location

Îska, Iska, Aleppo, Syria
At least 13 civilians were reportedly injured in an attack by alleged Turkish mercenaries on the village of Iska, Aleppo governorate, on October 29th, 2020, according to Hawar News. Hawar News wrote that "the village of Iska which in Janders district in Afrin canton was subjected to a raid campaign and attempts to kidnap and…

Summary

Published
3 November 2020
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 October 2020

Incident Code

TS450

Location

غرب منبج, West of Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the villages of Umm Jalloud, Tal Sayada, Umm Adasat Al Farat, and Al Dundaniyya in Aleppo governorate on October 13th, 2020, according to Hawar News. Hawar reported that: "The villages located on the front line west of Manbij city, including “Umm Jalloud, Tal Sayada, Umm…

Summary

Published
3 November 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 October 2020

Incident Code

TS453

Location

صيدا‎, Sayda, Raqqa, Syria
At least one civilian male was critically injured in alleged Turkish or Turkish mercenary artillery strikes on the M4 road near the village of Sayda, Raqqa governorate, on October 22nd, 2020, according to local sources. Correspondents for Hawar News reported that "[Turkish] mercenaries targeted civilians on M4 road by firing shells at the road and its…

Summary

Published
22 October 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2020

Incident Code

TS452

Location

المالكية, Mazra, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed and an unknown number of other civilians were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a civilian car near Mazra village, Hassakah governorate, on October 20th, 2020. Hawar Agency reported that the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria issued a statement, stating that: "A drone belonging to the…

Summary

Published
20 October 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2020

Incident Code

TS451

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria
Hatem Hazem, aged eight or 13 years old, died of injuries he sustained as a result of an alleged Turkey forces or Turkey-backed militants shelling on Ain Issa area and its camp, or the explosion of a mine according to local sources. Other eight civilians including a child and two men were also reported injured…

Summary

Published
16 October 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–8
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 October 2020

Incident Code

TS449a

Location

قرية بوراز، كوباني, Al-Boraz village, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria
Two brothers, both children, were injured as a result of a Turkish or Turkey supported militants mortar shell on Boraz village in Kobani, Aleppo on October 9th, 2020 according to local sources. The two children were identified by local sources as Muhammad Kamel aged 12, and his brother Mahmoud Kamel aged 14. Ronahi reported that…

Summary

Published
9 October 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident