Turkish center in Syria’s Tel Abyad lures people with food rations
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – A Turkish cultural institution, in cooperation with the Turkish-run Local Council of Tel Abyad in northern Raqqa, northern Syria, announced on Monday offers food rations for families that register their children in its certified centers in a new policy to lure people to learn Turkish in Syrian territories.
In late August, the Turkey’s Yunus Emre Cultural Institute opened its new branch for teaching Turkish language in the city of Afrin, northwestern Syria, as part of a campaign aiming to teach and integrate children and residents in Turkish culture in areas under the occupation of Turkey and the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA).
The Yunus Emre Institute serves as Turkey’s main instrument for promoting its language abroad.
An official in the Local Council of Tel Abyad said the administration of the Yunus Emre Cultural Institute in Tel Abyad informed dozens of families through the Council the need to commit to sending their children, ranging between the ages of 7 and 15, to the institution, in turn the center would commit to deliver each family with a food ration.
In October 2019, Turkish forces, along with the SNA, occupied the city of Tel Abyad and its surrounding areas after a military operation dubbed ‘Peace Spring’. About 175,000 people were displaced from the area.
Since its occupation, Turkey has imposed its language on the population and changed the names of landmarks to Turkish names.
The source told North Press correspondent that Turkish authorities resorted to this method due to the “popular rejection” of the Turkification policy adopted by Turkey in all scopes of life.
Every family will receive a monthly food ration after registering their children in centers affiliated with the Yunus Emre Cultural Institute.