IDPs down Turkey’s flag in camps in Syria’s north
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – On Sunday, IDPs in Bab al-Salama camps and the town of Saju, in areas run by Turkish-backed Syrian opposition factions on Syrian-Turkish border took the Turkish flag down from upon buildings of management.
This act followed mass protests and public anger spread throughout areas held by the Turkish-backed factions, also known as Syrian National Army (SNA), in response to Turkish remarks to bring the Syrian government and the opposition close together.
An exclusive source told North Press that the IDPs took down the Turkish flags from upon the management’s buildings in Bab al-Salama camps and Saju on the Syrian-Turkish border north of the city of Azaz.
Following Turkey’s Foreign Minister’s remark about reconciliation between the government and opposition, protests erupted in several Turkish-occupied areas, where protestors burnt the Turkish flag.
Turkey’s Minister of Interior Suleiman Soylu announced on Saturday arresting two individuals on charges of burning the Turkish flag during demonstrations.
The source added that Turks, who used to run these camps, have not pursued their work there since early this week without clear reasons for doing so.
These camps are affiliated to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), and the Turkish government hired Turks to run them, according to the source.
On Sunday, dozens of residents and IDPs demonstrated in the city center of Azaz, denouncing the arrest of two young men on charges of insulting Turkey and burning its flag during the demonstration.
The city of Azaz in Aleppo northern countryside has been under the control of the Turkish-backed opposition factions since July 2012.