A report published in August 2024 by the Community Peacemaker Teams has documented 845 civilian casualties in Iraqi Kurdistan since 1991 due to Turkish and Iranian military operations, with over 80% attributed to Turkish forces.
The report states that the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) are responsible for 702 civilian casualties, including 344 deaths and 358 injuries. The majority of these casualties occurred between 2018 and 2024, coinciding with Turkey’s intensified military activities, particularly the ‘Claw’ operations aimed at creating a buffer zone along the Iraq-Turkey border. These operations have included aerial bombardments, drone strikes, artillery shelling and ground assaults, resulting in extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, mass displacement, and the destruction of cultural heritage sites.
Iranian military operations, primarily conducted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are responsible for 143 civilian casualties, with 81 killed and 62 injured. The highest number of casualties resulted from artillery shelling and shootings from Iranian military bases, particularly impacting the Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) and Pishdar districts. The report accuses Iranian forces of targeting densely populated civilian areas, causing significant damage to infrastructure and agricultural land.
The report alleges that both Turkish and Iranian forces have intentionally targeted civilians. Turkish operations have reportedly focused on agricultural and residential areas and cultural sites, leading to executions, bombardments and landmine explosions in zones populated by civilians. Iranian military actions have similarly targeted civilian areas, with expanded military bases posing an ongoing threat to local populations.
Children are reported to be significantly affected, accounting for 28% of the casualties in Turkish operations and 31% in Iranian operations. Many children were injured or killed while engaged in everyday activities such as farming, shepherding, or visiting relatives.
The report suggests the possible use of chemical weapons by Turkish forces in certain incidents but calls for an international investigation to confirm these claims.
Despite laws mandating compensation for civilians affected by military operations, the report highlights that most impacted individuals have not received compensation. “Approximately 46% of those killed were not designated as martyrs, and 93% of the injured remain uncompensated,” it states. Challenges in documentation due to restricted access to conflict zones, safety concerns and destruction of essential documents have further complicated efforts to secure compensation.
The report calls for urgent international attention to address the alleged human rights violations, ensure accountability for the targeting of civilians, and provide adequate support to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Iraqi Kurdistan
