• Protests and arrests as anti-Syrian riots rock Turkey
• Violence against Syrian refugees broke out in Melikgazi and spread to other areas
• The unrest began after a Syrian man was arrested for allegedly abusing a seven-year-old Syrian girl
• In response, locals flipped cars and set Syrian-run shops on fire, demanding the expulsion of Syrians from the country
• Nearly 500 people were detained following the attacks
• More than 3.5 million Syrians live in Turkey, many under “temporary protection” status
• Tensions have been rising due to economic struggles and increasing anti-refugee sentiment

Protests and arrests as anti-Syrian riots rock Turkey

Turkey’s government is calling for calm after violence against Syrian refugees broke out in Melikgazi and spread to other areas. The unrest began after a Syrian man was arrested for allegedly abusing a seven-year-old Syrian girl in Kayseri, sparking outrage among Turkish residents. In response, locals flipped cars and set Syrian-run shops on fire, demanding the expulsion of Syrians from the country.

The violence spread to Hatay, where a Syrian grocery store was set ablaze. Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, condemned the riots, stating they “damaged houses, workplaces, and vehicles belonging to Syrian nationals.” Nearly 500 people were detained following the attacks. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the violence and criticised opposition parties for inciting xenophobia and hatred.

More than 3.5 million Syrians live in Turkey, many under “temporary protection” status. Tensions have been rising due to economic struggles and increasing anti-refugee sentiment. The recent violence in Turkey led to retaliatory protests in opposition-held areas of northwest Syria, where demonstrators clashed with Turkish guards, resulting in four deaths and several injuries.

Turkey has shut its main border crossings into northwest Syria following attacks on its troops by Syrians angered by violence against their countrymen in Turkey.

Social media: The anti-Syrian revolt has spread in #Turkey. Protests took place in Bursa. Syrian shops were attacked in Istanbul. There're pogroms in Konya. In Serik and Antalya, Turks broke into the homes of Syrians, threw out their belongings and set fire to apartments.#Syria pic.twitter.com/oZyYASF7dr

— Karina Karapetyan (@KarinaKarapety8) July 2, 2024