Turks Want To Send Refugees Back To Syria

A recent report by Crisis Group shows an increasing inter-communal violence between Turks and Syrian refugees, especially in big cities, such as Istanbul.

Although Turks accepted the presence of refugees for years, Syrians were never fully integrated into Turkish society. Now, with the military operation in Afrin, attitudes towards refugees are only hardening. 

In this feature article, Zia Weise makes a great analysis of the current situation and the concerns among both locals and refugees in Istanbul. 

Despite the fact that very few refugees are from Afrin, Turkish authorities have pointed to the Kurdish enclave in northwestern Syria as the solution. A smart move from Ankara to keep the electorate happy, when presidential elections could happen at any time. 

What do refugees think about the plan? 

Surveys indicate that half of them intend to stay, and many have plans to move to Europe, Canada or the United States. 

But Turks have already made up their minds. In 2014, only 38.9 percent of Turks agreed with the statement: "Refugees are not a concern of Turkey, and they should be sent back to their country”. Now, 86.2 percent does.