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

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

January 27, 2018

Incident Code

TS132

LOCATION

Unknown, Syria

Free Afrin published a picture of a dead man, reporting that “this image is the result of the bombing of the Turkish occupation”. However, an image search showed this photo was first published on the Syrian Media Organisation on a November Facebook post [archived] on November 27th 2017. Airwars has therefore discounted the event as

Summary

First published
January 27, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Incident Code

TS227

LOCATION

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

The Kurdish activist Claudia reported that a civilian on a motorbike was killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike in Afrin, Syria. The tweet said that “he was bringing some household items (a cylinder of gas and some food) to his family but the brutality of the invaders prevented his arrival to his family”. Afrin Now

Summary

First published
February 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2018

Incident Code

TS259

LOCATION

ترميشا, عفرين, Termisha, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died, and another was injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Termisha, Syria, according to local media. IC Afrin reported that a 55-years-old civilian was hit and killed by a warplane yesterday night in the village of Çomezna (Mabata district). According to Hawar, another man was wounded. It named him as 48-year-old Mohammed Omar

Summary

First published
March 9, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2018

Incident Code

TS122

LOCATION

جنديرس, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

According to Rok online, “a father found his two children who were wounded days after they were displaced from the western town of Jenderes, west of Syria. Their convoy was targeted by the Turkish army and its Islamic militia. Ahmed Khallouf, a father of four children from Jandiers district, who fled to Afrin, said the

Summary

First published
January 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 women)
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

March 6, 2018

Incident Code

TS249

LOCATION

جنديرس,عفرين , Jindires, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian – a nurse or doctor – died and three more were wounded in an alleged Turkish bombing of Jindires, according to IC Afrin Resistance. Afrin Now reported “the martyrdom of the nurse working at Afrin hospital, Shyar Haji Abdo, while trying to rescue civilians in Jandairis region as a result of the continuous

Summary

First published
March 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2017

Incident Code

TS072

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes shelling on Al Bab, Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “The Turkish forces and warplanes renewed their shelling on areas in Al Bab city and its vicinity, which killed a civilian and injured others during the past 24 hours.” Al Jazeera quoted the ISIS

Summary

First published
February 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

February 13, 2018

Incident Code

TS196

LOCATION

قرية بيكه، عفرين, Shara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One man has been killed, and two have wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Shara. The Kurdish Red Crescent identified the victims by names and ages. The weapon used has not been reported. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
February 13, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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

January 31, 2018

Incident Code

TS144

LOCATION

اشرفية, Al Ashrafiya neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

One child died and up to 12 other civilians were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Afrin, according to local media. Sources reported that Turkey fired rockets into the city. Afrin Now and Rumaf named Arhat Ahmad Aliko, nine-years-old, as killed, though other sources listed him as wounded (see list below). The Smart News

Summary

First published
January 31, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
12
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

November 13, 2016

Incident Code

TS008

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Various sources reported intense attacks by Turkish and FSA forces on Al Bab in a push to oust ISIS from the city. The only source which reported civilian casualties was the ISIS-affiliated propaganda outlet Al A’amaq: “One dead and three civilians injured, one of them in a critical condition. following Turkish artillery bombardment of the

Summary

First published
November 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Incident Code

TS155

LOCATION

زيتونك, Zeitounka, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources in Syria reported “the martyrdom of citizen Ahmed Horo, 77 years old, as a result of the Turkish bombardment of the village of Zeitounka in the countryside of Afrin.” Kurid Post provided detail on the event: “‘We were sitting in the house and a barrage of artillery shells fell unceasingly, causing panic and

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

February 4, 2017

Incident Code

TS073

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

One child reportedly died in alleged Turkish or FSA artillery shelling on Al Bab. The Syrian network for Human Rights wrote that “the child Hassan Al Jaboli, age 12, died from Euphrates Shield artillery shells fired on Al Bab city in the Aleppo governorate.” There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 4, 2017
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

October 17, 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

First published
October 17, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 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

First published
October 14, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
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

October 31, 2019

Incident Code

TS378A

LOCATION

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, four civilians including a woman were reported injured in an alleged Turkish attack on Tal Tamr in Hassakah governorate in Syria on October 31st, 2019. No additional information about this event is presently known.

Summary

First published
October 31, 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
4
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2020

Incident Code

TS418

LOCATION

عرب حسن, Arab Hassan, Aleppo, Syria

A woman was reported injured in alleged Turkey forces/ pro-Turkey militants shelling of Arab Hassan in Northwest Manbej, Aleppo on March 8th, 2020, according to local sources. @NotWoofers said the village was attacked with six mortars. No further details are available.

Summary

First published
March 8, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

October 9, 2020

Incident Code

TS449

LOCATION

قرية بوراز، كوباني, Al-Boraz village, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Two brothers, both children, were injured as a result of a Turkish or Turkey supported militants mortar shell on Boraz village in Kobani, Aleppo on October 9th, 2020 according to local sources. The two children were identified by local sources as Muhammad Kamel aged 12, and his brother Mahmoud Kamel aged 14. Ronahi reported that

Summary

First published
October 9, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 9, 2021

Incident Code

TS478

LOCATION

الهلالية, al-Hilaliya, Al Hassakah, Syria

At least three civilian men, including a 70 year old man, were killed in alleged Turkish drone strikes on a vehicle in the al-Hilaliya neighborhood in the city of Qamishli on November 9, 2021. The North Press Agency reported that three people were killed in a Turkish drone strike in the al-Hilaliya neighborhood in the city of

Summary

First published
November 9, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2–3 men)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
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, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

May 22, 2022

Incident Code

TS510

LOCATION

المشيرفة , Al Masherfa, Raqqa, Syria

At least one civilian, a young man, was seriously wounded by alleged Turkish drone strikes near the village of Al-Masherfa on May 22, 2022. According to Hawar News, a Turkish drone attack injured 25 year old Reda Ali Hussein, who was transferred to Martyr Omar Alloush Hospital in Ain Issa district. The medical staff at

Summary

First published
May 22, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
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
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2022

Incident Code

TS540

LOCATION

تل زيوان, Tal Zewan, Al Hassakah, Syria

At least one civilian grazing sheep was injured in alleged Turkish shelling on Tel Zewan on August 8, 2022. Hawar News reported that Turkish forces shelled the village of Tel Zewan with artillery at around 13:00, injuring one civilian who was tending to his sheep. Hawar added that on the same day, Turkish forces bombed

Summary

First published
August 8, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
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
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

November 21, 2022

Incident Code

TS569

LOCATION

الحمره, Al-Hamra neighborhood in the center of Tal Tamr district, Al Hassakah, Syria

One young man, Abd al-Rahman Rashid Hassan, aged 17, was injured in a reported Turkish bombardment from a drone which hit the neighbourhood of Al-Hamra, in the centre of Tal Tamr district, Syria, on November 21st 2022. ANHA and other local sources reported that the Turkish drone targeted a car or a military vehicle which

Summary

First published
November 21, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
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
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

June 14, 2023

Incident Code

TS602

LOCATION

الدندنية, Al Dandaniyah, Aleppo, Syria

On 14 June 2023, two children were injured by an alleged Turkish artillery strike, followed by a drone strike, on a farm in Al-Dandaniyah village in Manbij, the western countryside east of Aleppo. One of the children who survived the strike, Muhammad Saeed, noted that the attack ‘directly bombed their whereabouts’ according to Hawar News.

Summary

First published
June 14, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
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
2 named
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
4
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2023

Incident Code

TS631

LOCATION

قرية صفاوية, Safawiyah village, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian was injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Safawiyah on September 21, 2023. Hawar News reported that a citizen named Qaban Aziz Al-Khalil (29 years old) was injured and transferred to Al-Raqqa Hospital to receive treatment when a Turkish drone bombed the village of Safawiyah. BasNews reported that a Turkish drone

Summary

First published
September 21, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
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
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2023

Incident Code

TS668

LOCATION

ٱلْقَحْطَانِيَّة, “Awda” oil station, in the countryside of the town of Al-Qahtaniyah/Tirbespiyeh, Al Hassakah, Syria

Around 10:15 PM on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023, an alleged Turkish airstrike hit the Awda (Odeh) oil station in the countryside of the town of Al-Qahtaniyah (Tirbespiyeh), Syria, injuring a citizen named Hussein Hamza Saadoun and reportedly a number of other oil station employees. Multiple reports came out to indicate that the oil wells were

Summary

First published
December 24, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Power Station
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident