Forced deportation, systematic extortion against Syrian refugees in Turkey

The Turkish authorities are transferring groups of deported Syrian refugees through border crossings to their mercenaries, most notably the so-called “Military Police,” which in turn detains them in private prisons to extort money in exchange for their release.

In a harrowing testimony, a citizen identified as (Kh. A.), who was deported last week to the city of Girê Spî/Tal Abyad, said: “After the Turkish authorities handed us over to what is known as the Free Syrian Army, we were detained in one of the city’s prisons. I was told to contact my family to pay 200 US dollars in exchange for my release.”

He added: “After I got out of prison, a number of members followed me and told me they knew a way to smuggle me out of the area toward the Autonomous Administration regions, for 100 dollars. They said I would not be able to leave unless I paid this amount. I was forced to pay, especially since I did not know the area, and they warned me it was filled with landmines.”

According to documentation by ANHA agency, over the past two years Turkish authorities have deported more than 30,000 Syrian refugees to the city of Girê Spî/Tal Abyad, as part of the Turkish President’s plan to deport one million Syrian refugees to the occupied areas of Syria and settle them in the homes of the forcibly displaced or in settlements built with Gulf state support.

Nevertheless, most of those forcibly deported refuse to remain in the city due to dire living conditions, preferring instead to move toward the Autonomous Administration of NE Syria areas in search of safety and stability.

It is worth noting that Turkey occupied Girê Spî/Tal Abyad on October 9, 2019, following a large-scale military offensive. Since then, its mercenaries have imposed levies on the population, spread corruption, and engaged in criminal activities, including human trafficking and drug smuggling.

A-H

ANHA