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

12 October 2019

Incident Code

TS330

Location

رام حمدان‎, Ram Hamdan, Idlib, Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "a girl from Ram Hamdan town in Idlib countryside was killed after five failed attempts to cross to the Turkish border from the western side of Idlib". The Observatory said the victim was killed by "Turkish border guards’ bullets". No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
12 October 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2019

Incident Code

TS329

Location

رأس العين, Ras al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria
@cmoc_sd  tweeted: "An innocent child does not know what a bullet is, hit by the Turkish army with artillery shells and warplanes in the villages of #SariKanye/ Ras al-ayn. She is now in Tal Tamir hospital receive treatment, her condition is critical." No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
12 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2019

Incident Code

TS328

Location

راس العين, Ras al Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria
A woman was wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of Ras al Ain. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
12 October 2019
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2019

Incident Code

TS326

Location

تل أبيض, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria
One child, Mukhtar Mahmoud Allawi (seven-years-old) was injured in alleged Turkish shelling of Tal Abyad, according to local media. @Raqqa_SL said the little boy was "burned".

Summary

Published
12 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2019

Incident Code

TS325

Location

كركي زيرا, Girkê Zîra, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two named civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Girke Zera, Qamishli, sources reported. @ HiwaDilan_71 tweeted: The occupation of the Turkish state in Qamishlo's neighborhoods and villages continues unabated. Newaf and Fehed Ali, brothers, were wounded in the attacks on Girkê Zîra village in the east of Qamişlo".

Summary

Published
12 October 2019
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2019

Incident Code

TS324

Location

بركي, Barki/Pirikê, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local media reported that one civilian was killed and another wounded in alleged Turkish shelling in Barki village, Dirak/Al-Malikiyah. @NPA_SY said: " Artillery shelling by Turkish forces is affecting areas in the village of Barki, located in the countryside of the town of Malikiyah / Dirk, in the triangle of the Syrian-Iraqi-Turkish border, killing one person…

Summary

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