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

9 December 2019

Incident Code

TS400a

Location

تل الورد غربي, Tal Al Ward, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, one civilian was reported killed when Turkish forces or Turkey-backed forces launched an artillery attack on Tal Al Ward in Tal Tamr town of Hasakah in Syria, on December 9th, 2019. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

Published
9 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 December 2019

Incident Code

TS399

Location

تل رفعت, Tal Rifat, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 11 civilians - 10 of whom were named - including eight children aged between three and 15, a woman and an elderly man were reported killed, and 12 others - most of them are children - seriously injured in an alleged Turkish artillery attack on Tal Rifaat, in Aleppo governorate, Syria on December…

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2019

Incident Code

TS398

Location

الملالي, Al Malali, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians were reported killed and between three and 22 others including a child injured in alleged Turkish forces mortar, gunfire and drone strikes on Al Malali village in Ayn Issa - Syria on November 23rd 2019, according to local sources. ANF said that three civilians were injured when a Free Burma Rangers health team…

Summary

Published
23 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3–22
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2019

Incident Code

TS397

Location

قرنفل, Qaranfil, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and three others injured in an alleged Turkish drone attack on a vehicle including five civilians in Qaranfil village in Tal Abyad - Raqqa in Syria on November 20th, 2019, according to local sources. The victims are all from the same family and moved to a hospital in Kobane. The…

Summary

Published
20 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2019

Incident Code

TS396

Location

تل رفعت, Tal Rifat , Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Turkish airstrikes on Tel Rifat, according to ANF News. Further information is currently unavailable.

Summary

Published
20 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2019

Incident Code

TI031

Location

خانصور, Khanasor, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that a Turkish drone attacked areas in Shingal region in Iraq on November 19th, 2019 causing deaths and injuries among civilians and YPG fighters. @murad_ismael reported "Another Turkish airstrike today [Nov 19th] on town of Khanesor. Reportedly there are civilian victims which are yet to be confirmed." @ameddicleT added that "Turkish armed…

Summary

Published
19 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident