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

20 May 2020

Incident Code

TS438

Location

Şiyûx, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Shiyûx, Aleppo governorate, on May 20th, 2020, according to local sources. ANF reported that the Turkish army had targeted the village with artillery strikes, leading to the injury of two civilians, adding that "the western region of Kobanê has been bombed by…

Summary

Published
20 May 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 May 2020

Incident Code

TS437

Location

عرب حسن كبير, Arab Hassan Kabir, Aleppo, Syria
A civilian was injured in artillery strikes by alleged Turkish-backed mercenaries on the village of Arab Hassan Kabir, Aleppo governorate, on May 19th, 2020, according to local sources. Hawar News reported that as a result of shelling by Turkish-backed mercenaries, the 30-year-old Mohammed Hajj Hussein Al Khalaf was wounded. Medical staff told Hawar News that the…

Summary

Published
19 May 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 May 2020

Incident Code

TS436

Location

دير غصن, Deir Ghosn, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), a civilian was killed when allegedly Turkish forces opened fire on farmers in Deir Ghosn in Hasaka, Syria on May 17th, 2020. SANA said that "local sources told SANA’s reporter in Hasaka that at Sunday afternoon, Turkish occupation forces opened fire at farmers working in their fields…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 May 2020

Incident Code

TS435

Location

Qeşqa, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and an unknown number of others was wounded when Turkish forces and Turkey-backed militants opened fire at a car in northwest Ras Al Ayn city on May 16th, 2020. A reporter for the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), which is affiliated with the Syrian regime, in Hasaka stated that…

Summary

Published
16 May 2020
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 May 2020

Incident Code

TS434a

Location

مرناز, Maranaz, Aleppo, Syria
A child was reported injured in alleged shelling by Turkish forces on Maranaz in Aleppo on May 13th, 2020. @NotWoofers tweeted "Additional report of a civilian casualty from Turkish shelling tonight. A young boy has been severely peppered by shrapnel." No further details are available.

Summary

Published
13 May 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2020

Incident Code

TI035

Location

Xakurke, Erbil, Iraq
Two civilians were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes in Xakurke area, Erbil province, on April 28th 2020, according to local sources. Another man was severely injured. Hengaw wrote that Fakhir Tazaward (35) and Rasheed Miro (36) from the city Oshnavieh, Iranian Kurdistan areas, were killed in a Turkish airstrike as they were collecting plants in the mountains. Other…

Summary

Published
28 April 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