According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Turkish border guards have been responsible for the deaths of nine civilians and the injury of 41 others since the beginning of 2026.
Foto: Wikipedia, (William John Gauthier)
In a statement, SOHR said that during July 2026, two Syrian civilians were killed and 27 others were injured as a result of shootings and acts of torture allegedly carried out by Turkish border guards while they were attempting to cross from Syria into Türkiye through irregular routes.
According to the organization, 11 people were injured in Raqqa, one civilian was killed and 16 others were injured in Hasakah, while one civilian was killed in Aleppo during the reporting period.
SOHR stated that, since the beginning of 2026, Turkish border guards have allegedly been responsible for the deaths of nine Syrian civilians and the injury of 41 others.
The organization’s figures indicate the following regional distribution:
Hasakah: 2 killed, 16 injured
Raqqa: 2 killed, 24 injured
Aleppo: 5 killed
In its statement, SOHR renewed its call for an end to attacks against civilians along the Syrian-Turkish border and urged respect for international humanitarian law and internationally recognized standards on the protection of civilians.
SOHR also condemned what it described as the excessive use of force against civilians attempting to cross the border and called for all those responsible for violations against civilians to be held accountable.
Human Rights Violations on the Syria-Türkiye Border (2014–2026)
Cases documented by human rights organizations and independent monitoring groups
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Turkish border guards have allegedly been responsible for the deaths of 9 Syrian civilians and the injury of 41 others since the beginning of 2026.
2014
14-year-old child shot near Kızıltepe
A Syrian Kurdish family fleeing from Damascus attempted to cross into Türkiye near Mardin’s Kızıltepe district. During the incident, the family’s 14-year-old son was shot in the back of his head and seriously injured.
Source: Bianet
2014
Saada Darwich killed near the border
Saada Darwich, 28, was killed by gunfire while attempting to cross from Rojava’s Derik region toward Türkiye, alongside her husband and children.
Source: Bianet
2016
HRW: Five killed, 14 injured
Human Rights Watch reported that Turkish border guards opened fire on Syrian civilians attempting to cross the border during March and April 2016, killing five people and injuring 14 others.
Source: Human Rights Watch
2016
SOHR: Eight civilians killed, including four children
SOHR reported that eight civilians, including four children, were killed near the border while fleeing clashes in Manbij. The Syrian opposition coalition reported that the number of deaths was 11.
Source: SOHR
2018
HRW: Shooting, abuse and pushbacks
Human Rights Watch documented allegations of shooting, ill-treatment and forced returns against Syrians attempting to cross into Türkiye.
Source: Human Rights Watch
2023
HRW: 234 civilians killed, 231 injured
According to data reviewed by Human Rights Watch, at least 234 civilians were killed and 231 people injured between 2015 and April 2023 in incidents involving Turkish border guards.
Source: Human Rights Watch
2023
Syrian lawyer killed while attempting to cross the border
SOHR reported that a Syrian lawyer attempting to enter Türkiye from Idlib was killed after being shot by Turkish border guards.
Source: SOHR
2026
Journalist Nujan Mala Hassan shot
According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), journalist Nujan Mala Hassan was wounded by live ammunition while covering protests near the Syria-Türkiye border.
Source: International Federation of Journalists
2026
SOHR: Nine killed, 41 injured
SOHR reported that nine Syrian civilians were killed and 41 others injured since the beginning of 2026. The organization called for an end to the excessive use of force against civilians.
Source: SOHR
Key figures
234
Civilians killed (HRW)
231
People injured (HRW)
9
Killed in 2026 (SOHR)
41
Injured in 2026 (SOHR)
Sources: Human Rights Watch (HRW), Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Bianet.Figures are based on reports and statements published by these organizations.
