Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

October 22, 2016

Incident Code

CS345 TS005d

LOCATION

الطويحينة, Al Tweihina, Aleppo, Syria

Airstrikes, possibly carried out by Turkish forces, killed one civilian according to one local report. Others referred only to violent clashes between non state actors. Smart News Agency reported that “international Coalition aircraft” targeting ISIS in Al Tweihina which it said killed one civilian and two members of the terror group. However, the report identified

Summary

First published
October 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Incident Code

TS212

LOCATION

بلدة الباسوطة, Bashute villages, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to many sources, one child was killed and 11 other civilians mainly children were wounded in the alleged Turkish shelling of Bashute villages, Syria. Their names identified the civilian casualties, this including a the 13-year-old girl and additionally, 11 civilians as wounded. The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that another 24-years-old civilian sustained bruising to

Summary

First published
February 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
12 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2018

Incident Code

TS244

LOCATION

قارة تابه, Qarah Tabah village, Shara district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One woman was killed and up to 22 more were wounded, including women and children, in alleged Turkish artillery and/or airstrike shelling of Qarah village, Syria, according to local sources. Hawar News reported: “A citizen woman was killed and an elderly man was seriously injured by the Turkish occupation army shelling on the village of

Summary

First published
March 5, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1–22
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2016

Incident Code

TS023

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

The ISIS-affiliated media propaganda outlet Al A’amaq reported one civilian dead and others injured as a result of a Turkish bombardment of Al Bab. It wrote: “One person killed and eight injured following Turkish bombardment targeting al Bab in the Aleppo countryside this afternoon.” There are no other known details at this time.

Summary

First published
December 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2018

Incident Code

TS129

LOCATION

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported the death of one man and the injuring of six additional civilians in the vicinity of Jinderes. According to a report shared with Airwars, six additional persons were injured – they are listed below. According to the Smart News Agency, “The centre of the city of Jenderi cam under an

Summary

First published
January 26, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2018

Incident Code

TS140

LOCATION

شيا عفرين, Shya, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported the death of an elderly man in military action in the Shya area. The victim was also named by KDP, Hawar news and Alitihad Press. According to Alitihad Press, the victim “died in the hospital after serious injuries to his body.” There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 29, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2018

Incident Code

TS119

LOCATION

حمام, Hamam village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

On January 25th, Free Afrin – which published a picture of the victim – reported “the martyrdom of the citizen Hussein Hasek after yesterday’s injury as a result of shelling and firing by the Turkish occupation army on the village of Hamam in the countryside of Afrin”. However according to Rumaf “Hussein Hasek of Hamam

Summary

First published
January 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Incident Code

TS182

LOCATION

قسطل خضرية, Qastal Khadriya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported the death of the civilian Mohammed Rasho, born in 1956, in an alleged Turkish airstrike on the village of Qustal Khadriya. However, Nuce24 (which placed Mr Rasho’s death on February 10th at Berkashi) seemed to suggest that the victim was not a civilian. It reported that “the General Command of the People’s

Summary

First published
February 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Incident Code

TS225

LOCATION

كوتانة، عفرين, Kotana, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One child was killed and seven others were wounded in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kotana, according to sources on the ground. Hawar News reported “Ibrahim Rashid Rasho, a 4-year-old child, was killed as a result of the shelling. His brother Hussein Rasheed Rasho, aged 5, was also hit. Six others were wounded – they

Summary

First published
February 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

TS236

LOCATION

ميدانكي, Mydanke, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One woman died and others were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling of Mydanke in Afrin, local media reported. Sources said that the victim was hit by shrapnel. According to Qsdheza “others” were also wounded in the attack. IC Afrin reported that “many civilians were injured”.

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

TS268

LOCATION

شالتا, Xalta, Shirwra district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to a signal source, an adult man from Xalta who was killed followed an alleged Turkish shelling on Shirwra district, Afrin. Images hows the burial of the man. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Incident Code

TS090

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tal Ref’at, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died and four more were wounded in alleged Turkish shelling of the town of Tal Ref’at, according to local media – though one report also said that the Syrian Free Army also targeted Kurdish units in the town. Rumaf named Alia Omar Sheikh and Othman Zakaria Mustafa as killed. However, a later report by Rumaf

Summary

First published
August 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2018

Incident Code

TS110

LOCATION

شيا عفرين, Shya, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurdish Red Crescent reported that two civilian men and one woman were injured in the vicinity of Shya in Afrin canton. One report came in later on March 5th 2018 of a civilian female ages 65 who was killed. There are no other details present at this time.

Summary

First published
January 22, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2016

Incident Code

TS027

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reportedly killed in Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab, Syria. The Syrian Obsevatory of Human Rights reported: “A person was killed and others were wounded in shelling by the Turkish forces and the Euphrates Shield on areas in al Bab city, which is under the control of the ‘Islamic State’ in the

Summary

First published
December 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Incident Code

TS006 CS364

LOCATION

قرية قباسين, Al Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

One named civilian male was reported by both Halab News Network and the Violations Documentation Centre as having been killed by ‘Coalition’ strikes or shelling at Al Qabasin, Syria. However Turkish forces and their FSA allies may also have been responsible, according to other local reports. TR Diplomacy tweeted a map on the 7th, reporting that

Summary

First published
November 7, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Incident Code

TS184

LOCATION

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

In a private report to Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent reported that one civilian, named as 70-year old Mustafa Shkikho was hit by shrapnel in the chest and face as a result of an alleged Turkish shelling of Jindires, Syria. The source did not say whether the man was wounded or died. No further details

Summary

First published
February 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2018

Incident Code

TS216

LOCATION

قرية سيويا, Siwiyah village, Mobata district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian, reportedly with special needs, was killed in an alleged Turkish shelling of Siwiyah village, local media reported. According to Hawar news, a civilian with special needs from the village of Siwa, in the area of Mobata, was killed by the shelling of the village by the Turkish occupation army with artillery shells. Thirty-three-year-old

Summary

First published
February 20, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 17, 2018

Incident Code

TS280

LOCATION

باسوطة, Basouta road, south of Afrin city, Aleppo, Syria

According to a single source, one male has been killed followed Turkish shelling of Basouta road, Afrin. The source identified the victim name as Azad. The tweet embedded two images of the father standing over his dead son’s body following an alleged Turkish shelling of Basouta road. However, it is unclear when the victim died – and

Summary

First published
March 17, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

TS163

LOCATION

كفر شيلا, Kafr Shila, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

According to several local media report, one woman and her two children were wounded in an alleged Turkish bombing of Kafr Shila, Syria. Airwars researchers translated the video footage from Rumaf facebook post, which has now unfortunately been removed. “Voice off camera asking woman: what kind of shelling was it? Was it artillery or plane?

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2018

Incident Code

TS195

LOCATION

سعرنجكة٫شران , Sa'arnajka, Sharan district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Sa’arnajka, according to the Kurdish Red Crescent. The Smart News Agency also reported two wounded civilians but cited the Kurdish Red Crescent report. Please note, some of the images from TS193 and TS194 are also reported for this incident. We are unable to determine which

Summary

First published
February 13, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Incident Code

TS294

LOCATION

Mabrouka IDP camp, Ras al-Ain, Al Hassakah, Syria

@NPA_SY tweeted: that the SDF Press Office said  “a child lost his life in Mabrouka IDP camp, Ras al-Ain, due to the difficulty of moving him to hospital following Turkish indiscriminate shelling”. Hawar news agency also reported the death of a child.

Summary

First published
October 9, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 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

First published
October 12, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Incident Code

TS350a

LOCATION

المالحة, Al Malha, Al Hassakah, Syria

@NPA_English tweeted: “A civilian woman from al-Malha village in the southern countryside of Ras al-Ain (Sere Kaniye) has arrived at Tal Tamr Hospital due to being shot by Turkey-backed armed militias”. The Kurdish Red Crescent named the victim as Lamees Ali Assaf, a female aged 14 from Serekaniye”, adding that she was shot.

Summary

First published
October 16, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2019

Incident Code

TS336b

LOCATION

الحسكة, Hasaka, Al Hassakah, Syria

Three civilians were reported injured in different locations in Hasaka governorate on October 13th, 2019 according to the Kurdish Red Crescent, as a result of alleged Turkish forces attacks. The civilians, a woman and two men, are originally from Terbesipiye, Til Kocher and Tel Hamees. No further details available at the moment.

Summary

First published
October 13, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2019

Incident Code

TS373A

LOCATION

عين عيسى, Ayn Issa, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, one civilian was reported injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Ayn Issa, Raqqa in Syria on October 28th, 2019. The civilian was identified as Abdullah Mustafa Hussein, male, aged 37 and he was injured as a result of fragments.

Summary

First published
October 28, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2020

Incident Code

TS416

LOCATION

العريمة‎, Al Arimah , Aleppo, Syria

Up to two civilians were reported killed and several others injured in alleged Turkey artillery attack on Al Arimah town, west of Manbij city in northeastern Aleppo, Syria on February 28th, 2020, according to local sources. The attack is also believed to have caused four deaths and five injuries among regime forces and ‘loyalists’ as

Summary

First published
February 28, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2020

Incident Code

TS448

LOCATION

شيراوا - برج القاس, Burj al-Qass -Shirawa, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported injuries in Burj Al Qass in Shirawa, Aleppo on September 12th, 2020 when “Turkish forces shelled with heavy artillery from their military bases stationed in the northern Aleppo countryside positions in the villages of Aqiba, Soghanka and Burj al-Qass in the Shirawa area within areas held by Kurdish

Summary

First published
September 12, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Suspected target
YPG/SDF
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2021

Incident Code

TS476

LOCATION

كوباني‎, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Two people were killed and three others were injured in alleged Turkish drone strikes on Kobani on a vehicle on October 20, 2021. Sources were conflicted as to whether the people killed were civilians or militants while the three injured were reported to be civilians. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a Turkish drone

Summary

First published
October 20, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Suspected target
YPG/SDF
Named victims
3 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

May 17, 2022

Incident Code

TS508

LOCATION

قرية قرطاج, Qartage village, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians, four children and a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish artillery shelling of the village of Qartage in Ain Issa countryside on May 17, 2022. Hawar News documented the names of the woman and the four children that were injured in the Turkish artillery shelling on Qartage farm south of Ain Issa. The

Summary

First published
May 17, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2022

Incident Code

TS538

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tel Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Seven to nine people, including up to seven children, were “seriously” injured by an alleged Turrkish drone strike in Tel Rifaat city centre, in the Aleppo countryside on August 4th 2022. Hawar News also reported that this attack “resulted in injuries” but did not state how many. ANHA reported that the names of the nine

Summary

First published
August 4, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
7–9
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
9 named
View Incident