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

18 November 2019

Incident Code

TS394

Location

معراتة‎, Maabatli, Aleppo, Syria
A 23-year-old woman and a member of the Difa Al Civil (Civil Defense) were killed by alleged Turkey-backed militants in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on November 18th, 2019, according to Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency stated that Nircis Dawoudi and Ali Al Shaqur had just received their salaries when they were blocked…

Summary

Published
18 November 2019
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2019

Incident Codes

TS395 RS4183

Location

تيري, Tayri, Aleppo, Syria
At least one young woman was reported injured in eastern Kobane, after allegedly being hit by a Turkish-Russian patrol vehicle during on-going protests by locals against the presence of foreign forces in the area. ANF reported that “the people protested against the patrol by throwing stones. A young woman was hit by a vehicle of…

Summary

Published
18 November 2019
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Use of objects and other means
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2019

Incident Code

TS393

Location

مركز شرطة الباب, Al Bab Police Station, Aleppo, Syria
At least one man was killed and "many" wounded in alleged Turkish fire in the city of Al Bab, Aleppo governorate, on November 17th, 2019, according to Hawar News Agency. The men were reportedly taking part in a demonstration against the Turkish invasion of the city. Hawar News Agency wrote that civilians were attacked with…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2019

Incident Code

TS336b

Location

الحسكة, Hasaka, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians were reported injured in different locations in Hasaka governorate on October 13th, 2019 according to the Kurdish Red Crescent, as a result of alleged Turkish forces attacks. The civilians, a woman and two men, are originally from Terbesipiye, Til Kocher and Tel Hamees. No further details available at the moment.

Summary

Published
13 October 2019
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Codes

TS392 RS4164

Location

جمحران و كوربينكار, Jen Harran and Kurbinkar, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and four civilians were reported killed and up to eight others injured when a joint Turkish and Russian patrol allegedly opened fire on protesters in Jen Harran village, southern Kobani, Aleppo in Syria on November 12th, 2019, according to local sources. The sources also reported that the Turkish forces targeted journalists from Jin…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2019

Incident Code

TS390a

Location

شمال تل تمر, North of Tel Tamir, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to @DaveEubankFBR, two people were killed and three others injured in an alleged Turkish drone strike on north of Tal Tamr, Hasakah in Syria on November 11th, 2019. Several other sources said three members of the "SDF" or "YPG" were killed in "a drone attack".

Summary

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