Terror among Syrian refugees in Turkey

Despite the detention of hundreds of Turks since last Sunday due to the attack on Syrians in the Turkish city of Kayseri, the riots that spread from that city to other cities in the country have increased the fears of Syrian refugees in Turkey, to the point that some of them are looking for ways to leave Turkish territory, especially with the killing of a Syrian refugee today, Wednesday, by stabbing with knives in Antalya.

The riots that targeted the properties of Syrian refugees erupted after a Syrian refugee was accused of assaulting a minor, which led to the detention of 474 people who participated in the attacks on the properties of Syrians, according to what Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on his official account on the "X" platform.

Violence against Syrians

Three Syrian refugees from Damascus said that "the riots that erupted a few days ago and targeted Syrians forced us to stay at home and stop following up on our work."

One of the Syrians added that "Turkish law does not protect Syrians from attacks even if they have a work or tourist residency, especially since the attacks are random."

This Syrian holds a tourist residency in Turkey that he renews annually, but he can no longer leave the country because his passport has expired.

More than three million Syrian refugees have a temporary protection card called "Kimlik" in Turkish. In addition to those who hold work and tourist residencies.

Although the Turkish Minister of Interior called on Turks not to be carried away by provocative actions, to act moderately, and not to commit crimes, such as harming people, the environment, and property by illegal means, Syrians in other areas where the riots have spread have been living in great anxiety since last Sunday.

A Syrian refugee living in the border city of Antakya with Syria said that "the riots have spread to Antakya as well. Shops owned by Syrians have been burned, so I have also stopped working and I no longer leave my house. I even feel like I am living under house arrest."

Fears of deportation

A source close to the Refugee Association, an international Turkish organization concerned with refugee affairs, said that the recent violence has increased the fears of Syrians and restricted their movement, as they fear being subjected to new attacks, especially with the rise in hatred and incitement against refugees.

In addition to fearing renewed attacks, refugees fear deportation by the authorities, as many of those whose temporary protection cards have expired avoid leaving their homes and moving around their places of residence.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler had previously said that attempts to disrupt public order by some would be thwarted thanks to the efforts of state institutions.

He added, in a statement, "We are closely monitoring the negative perceptions and increasing tensions that have been recently attempted to be created regarding Syrian refugees."

Turkey, which hosts about 3.2 million Syrian refugees, has been shaken by xenophobic violence several times in recent years, usually sparked by rumors spread on social media and text messaging applications.