Turkish police intervened to control the situation after numerous homes and businesses owned by Syrians were attacked. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the unrest spread to other cities including Hatay, Gaziantep, Urfa, Adana, Konya, and Bursa.
In Hatay’s Reyhanlı district, situated on the Syrian border, locals attacked shops predominantly run by Syrians in the Çarşamba Market area. Shop owners closed their businesses and went home to avoid the violence.
In Adana’s Seyhan district, a group of motorcyclists carrying Turkish flags attempted to parade through Kocavezir and Mirzaçelebi neighbourhoods. Police blocked their entry, but the group continued to tour other parts of the city, chanting anti-Syrian slogans.
In Urfa’s border district of Akçakale, Syrian-owned shops were also targeted. Meanwhile, in Bursa, Syrian shopkeepers closed early due to safety concerns. Groups gathered in central areas, chanting nationalistic slogans and setting off fireworks. Police set up barricades to disperse the crowds and prevent further escalation.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attacks, labelling them as acts of vandalism and stating that such actions were unacceptable.
The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), issued a statement on Twitter criticising the government’s handling of the refugee situation. They accused the Erdoğan administration of being primarily responsible for the incidents due to its policies.
Sezai Temelli, the deputy leader of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, also condemned the attacks, calling them racist provocations. Temelli criticised both the government and opposition for their long-standing anti-refugee rhetoric, which he argued has fuelled public unrest.
The refugee crisis has been a contentious issue in Turkish politics, especially during election periods. Opposition parties frequently blame the ruling AKP for its foreign policy failures, which they argue have led to the refugee influx. In contrast, the government emphasises a narrative of religious solidarity with the predominantly Muslim Syrian refugees.
Far-right parties have also capitalised on the crisis, using populist rhetoric to increase their support base. Ümit Özdağ, leader of the right-wing Victory Party, blamed the attacks on what he termed the “arrogance” of the Syrian refugees in a statement on Twitter.
While these developments are taking place in Turkish politics, asylum seekers, especially Syrians, are frequently attacked. Some asylum seekers have begun to be deported by public authorities.
