67 arrested in Turkey after violence against Syrians

67 people were arrested by Turkish police on Monday after a mob spurred violence in the country’s Syrian community in a central Anatolian city after a Syrian man was accused of harassing a child.

Syrian businesses and properties were targeted in Kayseri by a group of men on Sunday night, with video footage posted on social media showcasing a grocery store set on fire.

“No matter who they are, setting streets and people’s houses on fire is unacceptable,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, condemning the violent acts imposed on the Syrian community. 

The accused Syrian national, identified only by his initials as I.A., was arrested by police after he was caught by Turkish citizens, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

Yerlikaya said on X that the Syrian man was suspected of harassing a five-year Syrian girl, who turned out to be his relative. However, the interior minister also condemned the violence that broke out, stating the mob acted in an “illegal” manner “that does not suit our human values.”

“Turkey is a state of law and order,” he said. “Our security forces continue their fight against all crimes and criminals today, as they did yesterday.”

Syrian refugees in Turkey

Turkey currently hosts 3.2 million Syrian refugees who have fallen victim to hate crimes and xenophobic violence, generally triggered by rumors spread on social media and instant messaging applications.

In August 2021, an 18-year-old man was killed in Ankara due to groups of men targeting Syrian homes and businesses.

The subject of Syrian refugees has been a contentious issue in Turkish politics.

In May 2023, Turkey was preparing to send back Syrian refugees to their country in batches, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“A road map for the return of refugees will be planned soon. It will be analyzed how soon their return can be ensured,” Erdogan told TRT Haber in an interview.

Turkey had already repatriated 450,000 Syrian refugees at the time, as Erdogan revealed plans to return another 1 million.

“We have a plan to return another 1 million refugees there,” Erdogan revealed.

The importance of the topic of Syrian refugees in Turkish politics was highlighted in the 2023 presidential election campaigns, especially that of opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaruglo, who said that if he emerges victorious, he intends to “say goodbye” to the refugees within two years.