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

14 October 2019

Incident Code

TS341c

Location

الاسدية, Asadiyah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two paramedics were reported heavily injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Asadiyah, Hassakah in Syria on October 14th, 2019.  

Summary

Published
14 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2019

Incident Code

TS340

Location

رأس العين‎, Ras Al Ain , Al Hassakah, Syria
Local media reported that one civilian died and two were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Ras Al Ain.

Summary

Published
14 October 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2019

Incident Code

TS341D

Location

درباسية, Al Darbasiyah/Dirbêsiyê, Al Hassakah, Syria
The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that one civilian aged 18 was injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Al Darbasiyah/Dirbêsiyê‎ in Hassakah, Syria on December 14th, 2019. No more details are available at the moment.

Summary

Published
14 October 2019
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2019

Incident Code

TS341

Location

راس العين, Ras Al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria
Eight civilians including children were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Ras al-Ain in Hasakah - Syria on October 14th, 2019, according to local sources. One of the children injured (Muhammad Hameed Muhammad, 13) was reported burned because of alleged use of white phosphorus by the Turkish forces. In the hospital, Muhammad was yelling at…

Summary

Published
14 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2019

Incident Code

TS341b

Location

جل آغا, Chil Agha/Çil Axa, Al Hassakah, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Chil Agha in Hassakah governorate on October 14th, 2019 according to the Kurdish Red Crescent. Shivan Abdulbari Eliko, male, 26 years old, lost his life as a result of injury caused by fragments lodged in his body.

Summary

Published
14 October 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2019

Incident Code

TS341a

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians including two women were reported killed in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Ain Issa in Raqqa governorate in Syria on October 14th, 2019 according to local sources. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

Published
14 October 2019
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident