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 October 2019

Incident Code

TS357

Location

Zirgan, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians died and between eight and 16 more were wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Zirgan, Ras al-Ain, according to sources on the ground. Hawar reported: "Of the 8 civilians injured as a result of the bombing, three of them were killed." @TurkANHA also put the death toll at three civilians, with 12 more…

Summary

Published
18 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
8–16
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2019

Incident Code

TS351

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria
A paramedic died in alleged Turkish shelling of Ras Al Ain, multiple sources said. ANAH reported: "Cizre Region Health Committee Co-Chair Doctor Menal Mihemed said that Hayîl Salih was martyred as a result of the bombardment of the Turkish state".

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 October 2019

Incident Code

TS352

Location

بير حبيش, Bir Hebesh, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians - two men and a woman - were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Bir Hebesh village, according to local media.

Summary

Published
23 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2019

Incident Code

TS353

Location

كوباني, Qamishli, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians including a child were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Qamishli, according to sources on the ground, while the Kurdish Red Crescent reported that five civilians were injured. Hawarnews reported: "Three Turkish civilians were wounded in the bombardment of the occupied Turkish state and gangs in the neighborhoods of Qamishlo. The invading Turkish…

Summary

Published
17 October 2019
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2019

Incident Code

TS354

Location

غرب, Alia, Al Hassakah, Syria
NPA tweeted: "Five injured have arrived at the hospital in Tal Tamr, northwest of Hassakah, as a result of the Turkish warplanes bombing on the village of Aliya south of the city of Ras al-Ain/Sere Kaniyeh this morning [Oct 17th]." No further details are currently available.    

Summary

Published
17 October 2019
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2019

Incident Code

TS355

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two or three civilians were reportedly executed by Turkish-supported forces in Ras Al Ain. @RodiSad tweeted "Photos of killed civilians in RasAl-Ain, who were field-executed on the Hasakah road. The field execution was obvious and was carried out on October 17th by Turkish-backed Sultan Murat militias. One of the killed is a friend of mine.…

Summary

Published
17 October 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident