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

4 November 2019

Incident Code

TI030

Location

خانصور, Khanasor, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that three civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Khanasor.

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 November 2019

Incident Code

TS380

Location

الطريق بين رشيدية و القاسمية, Road between Al Rashidiya and Al Qasimiya village, Al Hassakah, Syria
One member of Doctors Without Borders was killed and three other civilians including two aged 17 wounded in an alleged Turkish mortar strike on a convoy about four kilometers north of Tal Temr, local sources reported. Hawar news said: "The invading Turkish state wounded two doctors by firing cannons at Til Temir's convoy of Doctors…

Summary

Published
3 November 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2019

Incident Code

TS381

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ayn, Al Hassakah, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces and/or Turkey-backed militants' attack in Zirqan district, Hasaka, Syria on November 3rd, 2019. ANHA reported that Seyîd Hewaş, who was a security guard in the tomb of Sheikh Hisên in the village of Lazqe in Zirgan district was killed.  

Summary

Published
3 November 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2019

Incident Code

TS382

Location

عرب حسن, Arab Hassan, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces or Turkey-backed militants' artillery attack on Arab Hassan village, northwest of Manbej in Syria, on November 3rd, 2019, according to local sources. @NPA_English reported that the attack led to the killing of a young man. No other information is available at the moment. ANF named…

Summary

Published
3 November 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 November 2019

Incident Code

TS379

Location

عين الهوى, Aniq Al Hawa, Al Hassakah, Syria
Four civilians were reportedly executed, allegedly by Turkey-backed militants in Aniq Al Hawa village in Ras Al Ayn, Syria, on November 2nd, 2019 according to local sources. The sources reported that Turkey-backed militants disguised in Syrian regime forces clothing executed the four civilians.

Summary

Published
2 November 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 November 2019

Incident Code

TS378b

Location

السباتية, Al Sibatya, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, three civilians were killed and one other injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Tal Tamr in Hasaka governorate in Syria on November 1st, 2019. The civilians killed were all males and identified as Abdulazeez Salih al Hesh, Mahmoud Ahmad Muhammad and Muhammad Ali Khuwam. Ali Ezizi, was also…

Summary

Published
1 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident