Syrians Blamed for Earthquakes and Sufferings in Turkey
ANTAKYA, Turkey — Turkish man accuses Syrians of causing earthquakes in Hatay province, adding insult to injury for the Syrian refugees who already face numerous challenges in Turkey. The blame game has escalated in recent years, as Turkey struggles with a collapsing currency, runaway inflation, and rising hate crimes. This has resulted in a growing animosity towards Syrian refugees, with accusations ranging from stealing jobs to causing natural disasters.
Hatay province, which shares a border with Syria, has become a hotspot for Syrian refugees. Currently, more than 400,000 Syrian refugees reside in the province, accounting for a significant portion of the population. However, many refugees express their desire to leave Turkey and head to Europe, but the exorbitant fees charged by smugglers for the sea journey make it unaffordable for most. As a result, they find themselves stuck in an uncertain limbo, unwelcome in Turkey, unable to move forward, and reluctant to return to Syria.
Simultaneously, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has been making a remarkable comeback and seeking to normalize relations with neighboring countries. The repatriation of Syrian refugees has become a key part of this process. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, who initially welcomed Syrian refugees as “brothers,” has now expressed his plan to send back one million Syrians to northern Syria. Human Rights Watch has accused Turkish officials of coercing and forcing hundreds of Syrians to return “at gunpoint.” These forced returns violate the principle of non-refoulement under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which Turkey is bound to uphold.
Despite the turbulence surrounding their status, many Syrians in Antakya still view Erdogan as an ally who initially welcomed them into the country. However, the uncertainty remains, and Syrians desperately seek any means to secure Turkish citizenship to prevent their forced return.
Anxieties among the Syrian refugee population in Turkey are high, as they confront numerous challenges in their pursuit of a better life. The process of resettlement in European countries, once seen as a glimmer of hope, has become increasingly challenging, with limited slots available and strict criteria for acceptance. Additionally, returning to a war-torn Syria ruled by Assad is a terrifying prospect for many Syrians who have fled. The future for Syrians in Turkey seems increasingly bleak as their options dwindle.
In one corner of Antakya, a group of Syrians gathers in tents, borrowing light from a nearby encampment for Turks affected by the earthquakes. Despite the hardships they face, none of them can fathom returning to a country still ruled by Assad. Their pleas for a better future seem to fall on deaf ears as their struggles continue.
As the plight of Syrian refugees in Turkey worsens, it is crucial for the international community and authorities to address the challenges faced by this marginalized group. Providing support, resources, and opportunities for a better life is essential to prevent further exacerbation of the situation and offer hope to the Syrian refugees who have already endured so much.