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Turkey arrests 67 in wake of anti-Syrian rioting

by VOA News

   Turkish authorities have taken into custody 67 people accused of going
   on a rampage after a Syrian national was accused of sexually harassing
   a 7-year-old female relative.

   Outraged residents overturned cars and set shops ablaze in the central
   city of Kayseri on Sunday, demanding Syrians leave. According to The
   Associated Press, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attributed the
   violence to opposition parties advocating for refugee returns.

   "No matter who they are, setting streets and people's houses on fire is
   unacceptable," Erdogan said.

   When Syria's civil war began in 2011, Turkey welcomed Syrian refugees,
   becoming the leading host of refugees worldwide.

   As their numbers increased and Turkey faced economic challenges, Turkey
   witnessed a surge in anti-immigrant sentiment.

   Turkey, home to approximately 3.6 million Syrian refugees, has
   experienced several incidents of xenophobic violence in recent years.
   These outbreaks frequently have been sparked by rumors circulating on
   social media and messaging apps.

   In August 2021, groups of men attacked Syrian-owned businesses and
   homes in Ankara following a deadly brawl involving an 18-year-old man.

   The status of Syrian refugees remains a contentious topic in Turkish
   politics, with Erdogan's political rivals in last year's election
   pledging to return them to Syria.

   Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that Turkish civilians
   apprehended the Syrian national accused of harassing the girl and
   handed him over to police.

   The girl, along with her siblings and mother, was placed under state
   protection to receive psychological support.

   "Turkey is a state of law and order. Our security forces continue their
   fight against all crimes and criminals today, as they did yesterday,"
   Erdogan was quoted as saying.

   Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and
   Agence France-Presse.

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