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

24 October 2019

Incident Code

TS365

Location

السلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria
One health worker and two nurses working for Al Suluk hospital - Tal Abyad in Raqqa were reported kidnapped then killed allegedly by Turkey-backed militants (FSA/SNA) on October 24th, 2019, according to local media sources. ANHA and ANF named one of the victims as Mihemed Bozan Seîdî. ANHA said the members of Al Nusra kidnapped…

Summary

Published
24 October 2019
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 October 2019

Incident Code

TS362

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in alleged Turkish sniper fire in Ras Al Ain. Rojava Information Center tweeted: "Last night two refugee civilians in Til Temir tried to travel back into Sere Kaniye to check on their shop, now in the hands of Turkish-backed jihadi forces. A sniper opened fire on them and they came off…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 October 2019

Incident Code

TS361

Location

دادات, Dadat, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple sources reported that Turkish forces committed a "massacre" in Dadat village. According to RonahiTV, "The Turkish occupation and its mercenaries committed a massacre against civilians in the village of Dadat". Adarpress noted that "sources confirmed that Turkish occupation forces killed a number of civilians and buried them in the village, and established a prison…

Summary

Published
21 October 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Unknown
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 October 2019

Incident Code

TS361b

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, six civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Manbij in Aleppo governorate in Syria on October 21st, 2019. The civilians injured include three children aged between 1 and 10, and three women.

Summary

Published
21 October 2019
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2019

Incident Code

TS361a

Location

Zormixar, Aleppo, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that one civilian was killed and seven others were injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Zormixar west of Kobani/Ain Al Arab in Aleppo- Syria on October 20th, 2019.

Summary

Published
20 October 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2019

Incident Code

TS360

Location

سلوك‎, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria
@TurkeyUntold tweeted: "A SOHR [Syrian Observatory for Human Rights] video shows  the execution of 4 persons including fighters of the SDF  by the Turkey backed gangs in Sluk town, southeast of Girê Spî / Tel Abyad". @zana_medi tweeted the same video, stating that "Turkish forces are seen executing unarmed people". There is, therefore, uncertainty over…

Summary

Published
19 October 2019
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Military actors reported killed
0–4
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident