Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
July 1, 2024
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) condemns the recent riots and attacks targeting Syrian refugees in Turkey, incited by malicious rumors. These attacks included the burning of property and destruction of vehicles owned by Syrian refugees on Sunday evening. The SOC urges restraint and cautions against being swayed by these rumors, hate speech, and the incitement of chaos by racists. The SOC has communicated with the relevant Turkish authorities regarding these events and refers to President Erdogan’s statements, in which he unequivocally denounced the riots and any violations that occurred in Kayseri. President Erdogan has directed the relevant authorities to address the situation, ensure the safety and security of citizens and refugee residents, and promptly resolve any violations.
We call on our people residing in Türkiye to report all incidents, whether individual or collective, to the Turkish authorities responsible for security and riot control. Turkish authorities have immediately taken measures to restore security and protect the population, and their efforts to prevent a recurrence of these unfortunate events are ongoing.
The SOC appeals to our Syrian people in Türkiye, in the liberated areas inside Syria, and to the brotherly Turkish people, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the deep fraternal and historical relations between the Syrian and Turkish peoples and resisting attempts to incite division and hatred.
The SOC urges our people inside the liberated areas of Syria to prevent the spread of chaos and to stand united against incitement and hate speech, which aim to destabilize and sow discord among Syrians who have sacrificed to confront the Assad regime and fought alongside the Turkish people against terrorist organizations that threaten the security and stability of both countries.
The Syrian and Turkish peoples share broad common interests in preventing separatist and terrorist projects, ensuring the unity and safety of Syrian territories, securing the stability of liberated areas in Syria, maintaining Turkey’s security and stability, and achieving a political solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people in accordance with Security Council resolutions.
The SOC emphasizes the duty of protecting refugees and ensuring their safety and security in host countries. We remind the international community that Syrian refugees wish to return to their country voluntarily, safely, and with dignity, but this can only be achieved by reaching a political solution in Syria in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, especially Resolution 2254 (2015). Full and strict implementation of these resolutions will create a safe and dignified environment that encourages displaced people and refugees to return voluntarily to their original homes. We emphasize the responsibility of the international community and host countries to provide sufficient support to the United Nations to revitalize the political process and reach a solution that ensures the fair, complete, and firm implementation of UN resolutions, in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people to build a free and democratic state.
The SOC is closely monitoring the situation of Syrian refugees in Türkiye, especially recent developments, through ongoing communication with the relevant Turkish authorities. This is particularly important in light of the recent increase in deportations of Syrian refugees in Gaziantep and the closure of several retail stores owned by Syrians. Turkish authorities have assured their commitment to the security and safety of citizens, refugees, and residents, holding accountable those who incite riots and violations. Measures target only those who violate temporary protection and residency laws, and efforts are being made to resolve legal issues. We assure our people that the SOC will continue to work with Turkish authorities to address deportations, curb incitement and hate speech, and address legal violations to ensure the security and safety of Syrian refugees in Türkiye and compensate them for any property losses.
We appeal to our Syrian people in Türkiye and in the liberated areas to exercise self-restraint and prevent any attempts to destabilize security and stability. The Assad regime and terrorist organizations are the only beneficiaries of riots, violations, and chaos, as they seek to undermine the fraternal relationship between the Syrian and Turkish peoples and hinder Syrians from achieving their aspirations for freedom, justice, dignity, and democracy.
