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

10 November 2019

Incident Code

TS390

Location

حي سيف الدولة, Sayf Al Dawla Neighbourhood, Aleppo, Syria
One child - a six-year-old girl, Norshan Atri - was reported killed in an alleged Turkey-backed militants' artillery attack on Sêf El-Dewle, Al-Ezemiye and Al-Hemdaniye areas in Aleppo city, Syria on November 10th, 2019 according to local sources. Multiple shells reportedly hit civilian homes. The little girl was killed when one of the shells hit…

Summary

Published
10 November 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2019

Incident Code

TS389

Location

أم الشعفة, Um Shuayfa, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three journalists were reported injured as a result of an alleged Turkish artillery attack on the village of Um Shuayfa, north of the city of Tal Tamr, on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources. The journalist reported injured is Fadel Hammad, a reporter for the al-Akhbariya TV channel, and he was injured in the…

Summary

Published
9 November 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2019

Incident Code

TS388

Location

الهيشة, Al Hishah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and five others injured in an alleged Turkish forces drone strike on a group of civilians who worked in collecting cotton in Hishe/Kisha village, Ain Issa, Raqqa Governorate in Syria on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources. Hanî Ehmed Al-Rawî (25) was reported among the killed in the attack…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 November 2019

Incident Code

TS387

Location

الديويرا‎ و تل حليف, Tal Halef and Al Diwera, Al Hassakah, Syria
Many civilians were reported killed and injured when Turkish forces allegedly opened fire on protesters in Tal Halef and Diwera villages in the vicinity of Ras Al Ayn - Syria on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources. SANA reported that "10 civilians were suffocated due to the release of tear gas by the Turkish…

Summary

Published
9 November 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2–10
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2019

Incident Code

TS386

Location

الدردارة, Al Dardara, Al Hassakah, Syria
One medical worker and one journalist were reported injured in an alleged Turkish forces drone attack on a vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces in Dildarê village, Tal Tamr, Hasaka in Syria on November 9th, 2019 according to local sources. The medical worker working with the Kurdish Red Crescent and the German NGO CADUS…

Summary

Published
9 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
3–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Codes

TS385 RS4153

Location

سرمساخ, Sermisax, Al Hassakah, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and between five and ten others wounded allegedly when Turkish or Russian forces opened fire on protesters in Sermisax, in Qamishli - Syria on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources. ANHA reported that Serkheboon Ali was killed, and the following civilians were among the injured: Bahoz Çelo,  Fehed Mûsa,…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident