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

20 July 2020

Incident Code

TS442

Location

جرنك, Gerenke, Al Hassakah, Syria
Between two and three civilians were allegedly injured by Turkish shelling on Qamishli. Syriacpress wrote: "A Syriac Press correspondent in Zalin reported that Turkish forces targeted the city center with a missile in the morning. Our correspondent declared that the Turkish missile landed in Roj Garage, injuring two civilians who were transferred to a nearby…

Summary

Published
20 July 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2020

Incident Code

TS441

Location

الدرباسية, Ad Darbasiyah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Between one and three civilians were allegedly injured by a Turkish drone or mortar strike on Ad Darbasiyah. Woofers tweeted: "Casualties reported (all injuries) are two Russian soldiers, a Syrian soldier, and a local civilian. It would seem that the local civilian casualty may not exist and may be the Syrian soldier who may have…

Summary

Published
16 July 2020
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

16 July 2020

Incident Code

TS440

Location

1km من مركز مدينة الدرباسية, 1KM from Al Darbasiyah city centre, Al Hassakah, Syria
One civilian was allegedly by a Turkish drone strike on Ad Darbasiyah. ANHA wrote: "At about 10:00 a.m., a Turkish airliner was believed to have bombed one of the city's points, 1 km from the center of Ad-Derbasiyah district on Ad-Derbasiyah-al-Hasakah road. The shelling resulted in a civilian injury, from the people of Amouda, and…

Summary

Published
16 July 2020
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

25 June 2020

Incident Code

TI041

Location

كونه ماسي, Kunamasi, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
§§Five or six civilians were allegedly injured by a Turkish airstrike on Kunamasi. Rebaz Majeed tweeted: "The Turkish drones hit a vehicle half an hour ago, belonging to PKK members, in Slemani Province’s Kuna Masi. They also hit a mini market belonging to a local family. 2 are dead and more than 5 are injured…

Summary

Published
25 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 June 2020

Incident Code

TS439

Location

Helincê, Aleppo, Syria
Three women were killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a civilian residence in the Kurdish village of Helincê, Aleppo governorate, on June 23rd, 2020, according to local sources. Two civilians were wounded. Kurdistan24 reported that "a Turkish drone strike on Tuesday evening killed three civilian females at a residence in the village of Helincê,…

Summary

Published
23 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2020

Incident Code

TI039

Location

Kokar, Duhok, Iraq
Three civilians were allegedly killed and two injured by a Turkish airstike on Nerwa Rekan. Mehr Baluch tweeted: "3 civilian got killed in Nerwa & Rekan area by Turkish jets bombardment, all three residents of Shiladize, they been targeted in Kokar near Avamark Resort." Hana Çômanî said: "Turkish war planes bombs Shiladze town in Dohuk…

Summary

Published
19 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident