Türkiye - July 2024

Riots erupted in Melikgazi and spread to other areas after Turkish authorities arrested a Syrian man for allegedly abusing a seven-year-old Syrian girl in Kayseri. Angered by the news, Turkish residents vandalized Syrian-owned shops, cars, and homes, demanding the expulsion of Syrians. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned the actions, announcing the detention of over 470 individuals. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the violence and xenophobia, blaming opposition parties for inciting it. The events led to retaliatory actions against Turkish troops in Syria, and to Türkiye closing several border crossings with Syria.  Türkiye, home to over 3.5 million Syrians since 2011 when the civil war started, has seen rising anti-refugee sentiment due to a severe economic crisis and high inflation. Similar riots occurred in 2021.

Sources: Dunya, Al Jazeera, Reuters