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

19 June 2020

Incident Code

TI040

Location

Barwari, Duhok, Iraq
One civilian was allegedly killed by a Turkish airstrike in Barwari. Barzan Sadiq tweeted: "Another civillian killed in Barwari area, western Duhok by Turkish attacks. So far five civillians killed since Turkey began their military operation against PKK in Kurdistan Region." There is currently no further information available.

Summary

Published
19 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2020

Incident Code

TI038C

Location

آناه, Anah, Erbil, Syria
Rudaw.net reported that a civilian was killed in alleged Turkish shelling on the village of Anah in Hajj Omran in Erbil on June 19th, 2020. The source said that "the Turkish shelling targeted the village of Anah in Hajj Omran in the district of Joman in the governorate of Erbil, killing a shepherd, bringing the number…

Summary

Published
19 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2020

Incident Code

TI038

Location

Bradost, Erbil, Iraq
One civilian was allegedly killed and others injured by a Turkish airstrike in the Bradost mountains. Kurdistan24 said: "A shepherd who grazed his animals in the Bradost region died in the bombardment of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) warplanes against PKK camps yesterday afternoon. Speaking to K24, Sidekan District Manager İhsan Çelebi, of Erbil, said…

Summary

Published
17 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2020

Incident Code

TI038A

Location

كيلكا, Kilka , Duhok, Iraq
One civilian was reported killed as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kilka village in Kani Masi. According to Darkamazi, "Another citizen named Amin Salah Hasan in the Kani Masi area was exposed to the air strikes of the Turkish occupation, and his body was found today by the people of the region on…

Summary

Published
17 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2020

Incident Code

TI037

Location

Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq
Several civilians were allegedly injured by a Turkish airstrikes on Sinjar. ANF reported: "In Shengal, areas where civilian settlements and Serdeşt hospital are located, were bombed. According to the first information, there are some injured civilians. In addition, the people suffered material damages as a result of the bombing carried out by the Turkish state."…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 May 2020

Incident Code

TI036

Location

درلوك, Deralok, Duhok, Iraq
A father and son were killed and another civilian was injured after an alleged Turkish airstrike near the town of Deraluk, Amedi district, on May 30th, 2020, according to local media reports. The victims were Jalal Nuradin, 60, and his son Ahmed Nuradin, 32, reported K24, Christian Peacemaker Teams and Ahval. Khalil Nerway, a relative…

Summary

Published
30 May 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident