Turkish authorities deport 60 Syrian refugees to northern Syria
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Turkish authorities deported 60 Syrian refugees via the Bab al-Salama border crossing in the north of the city of Azaz, northwestern Syria.
A source told North Press that the deportees, including children and women, had been in custody in the Turkish state of Gaziantep.
The source added that most of those refugees were deported despite having valid temporary protection ID cards (kimlik).
The source said that among the deportees were two girls from Afrin, northwest Syria, who were arrested in a hospital in Istanbul while waiting for their sick mother.
Turkish authorities continue to carry out arrest campaigns against Syrian refugees under the pretext of committing offences. After that, they deport them to Syria, claiming they do not have the necessary legal documents to stay in Turkey.
Though Syria is still unsafe for returns, Turkey tries to get rid of the refugees by forcibly deporting them, as the Turkish authorities have intensified the forced deportation of Syrians, as part of what they call voluntary return to safe areas in northwestern Syria, according to media and documentary reports.
Since the beginning of July, the Turkish authorities have launched a campaign against the Syrian refugees, especially in Istanbul, where activists say more than 800 people have been deported since the beginning of July.