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

26 February 2020

Incident Code

TS415

Location

الشيخ عيسى, Sheikh Issa, Aleppo, Syria
According to NPA, "Two civilians were injured in the Turkish bombardment on the village of Sheikh Issa in the northern countryside of Aleppo on February 26th, 2020." No more information is available at the moment.

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

TI033

Location

Sida village, Nineveh, Iraq
One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sidah village, Zap in Nineveh, Iraq Kurdistan on February 26th, 2020 according to local sources. ANF reported that "on February 26th, Turkish jets struck a civilian car in Sidah village of Zap region at 16:00, killing a civilian named Khelil Ibrahim Sidani who came…

Summary

Published
26 February 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

25 February 2020

Incident Code

TS414

Location

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians from the same family, including a woman and a child, were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Aqiba village in Afrin's Sherawa district in the night of February 25th, 2020, according to local sources. ANF reported that Seroşet Mihemed Hesen (12), Fatma Ali (46) and Hesen Izet Mihemed (55) were killed in…

Summary

Published
25 February 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2020

Incident Code

TS413

Location

الخاروفية كبير, Al Kharoufiyah Kabir, Aleppo, Syria
One woman was reported injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Al Kharoufiyah Kabir in Manbej of Aleppo, Syria on February 24th, 2020 according to local sources. Manbej Military Council reported that "The Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries target from their base in the village of Al-Yashli and Sheikh Nasser and Al-Tokharak the points of…

Summary

Published
24 February 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2020

Incident Code

TS412

Location

مُنـابـي, Mabujah, Raqqa, Syria
According to ANF, two civilians including a child were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Mabujah village in Tal Abyad on February 23rd, 2020. ANF said that " During the night, the invading Turkish state and its mercenaries shelled the village of Mabujah in Girê Spî (Tal Abyad). As a result of the bombing, a…

Summary

Published
23 February 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2020

Incident Code

TS411

Location

الفاطسة, Al Fatsa, Raqqa, Syria
ANF reported that on February 23rd, 2020, "Turkish forces attacked the village of Al Fatsa in Ain Issa region at around 17:30 local time on Saturday. The attack left three children and a woman injured, and were then taken to Raqqa Hospital for treatment." Also @Kurdistan4K reported that Turkish shelling renewed on Ain Issa countryside,…

Summary

Published
23 February 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident