Four people shot dead by Turkish forces during protests in northern Syria

The demonstrations were called after mob attacks on Syrian businesses in the Turkish city of Kayseri

2 Jul. () –

At least four people have been killed after being shot by Turkish forces during protests in two cities in northern Syria against attacks on Syrian property and shops in a town in Turkey following accusations against a Syrian man of allegedly harassing a minor.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has informants in the country, has specified that the incidents have taken place in Afrin and Jarablus – controlled by rebels supported by Ankara – and have resulted in more than 20 wounded, although it is not yet ruled out that the death toll could increase in the coming hours.

The demonstrations were called to protest against the attacks, which took place on Sunday in the Turkish city of Kayseri, and the rise of xenophobic speech in Turkey, including the forced deportation of Syrian refugees to their home country.

The protests have led to violence in several places, including attacks on trucks and cars with Turkish license plates, while several demonstrators have managed to remove the Turkish flag from several public buildings in these towns, which are predominantly Kurdish and controlled by armed rebels fighting Damascus.

The incidents have erupted a day after Turkey announced the arrest of more than 65 people after mobs attacked Syrian shops and properties in Kayseri. “Turkey is a state of law. Our security forces continue their fight against all crimes and criminals,” said Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

Turkey is home to more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees who fled the neighbouring country after the outbreak of a civil war in 2011 following the brutal repression of pro-democracy demonstrations in the so-called ‘Arab Spring’.

Anti-refugee and anti-migrant rhetoric has increased in recent months, including messages from various right-wing and nationalist parties in favour of expelling Syrian refugees during the 2023 election campaign, raising fears of violence against refugees.

The incidents also come amid attempts at rapprochement between Turkey and Syria, including recent statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which he said there was “no reason not to establish” relations with the Arab country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also expressed last week Damascus’ readiness to undertake “all initiatives” aimed at improving relations with Turkey.