In response to attacks on Syrian migrants in Kayseri, Turkish flags have been pulled down and armoured vehicles stoned in Turkish-occupied areas of Syria. Syrians in Bab, Azaz, and Afrin revolted against the violence in Kayseri, declaring: “We don’t want Turkey on our land either.”
A pogrom broke out in Kayseri, a Turkish city known for its conservative and nationalist character, following allegations that a Syrian man had sexually harassed a young child. Syrian-owned vehicles and shops were set on fire by the local population, escalating tensions between Syrian residents and Turkish nationals.
The events in Kayseri have sparked unrest in the regions of Operation Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch in Syria. Throughout the day, violent actions continued against Turkey, with attacks on Turkish-owned trucks, the removal and burning of Turkish flags, and clashes between demonstrators and security forces around the governor’s building in Afrin. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Free Syria, Turkey out.”
This upheaval comes as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signals a major policy shift towards Syria, indicating openness to re-establishing relations with President Bashar al-Assad. This marks a significant change from Turkey’s previous confrontational stance since the 2011 civil war, during which it supported opposition groups against Assad and conducted military operations in Kurdish areas. Erdoğan’s statement highlights a willingness to restore diplomatic channels and collaborate with Assad, particularly against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Erdoğan’s diplomatic U-turn reflects Turkey’s broader strategy of normalising ties with regional powers and underscores the influence of its anti-Kurdish agenda on foreign policy. This shift echoes Erdoğan’s earlier reconciliation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after years of animosity.
However, this new approach has been met with resistance from some armed groups, viewing Erdoğan’s willingness to shake hands with Assad as a betrayal.
The Syrian Interim Government, formed by the opposition, has issued a statement condemning the attacks on Turkish flags and emphasising the importance of peaceful communication with their “Turkish brothers”. They called for an immediate halt to actions targeting Turkish presence in the liberated areas and urged the people to reject provocations that aim to undermine the alliance between Turkish and Syrian people.
Turkey’s move to restore ties with Syria involves encouraging Assad to cooperate in combating Kurdish forces, potentially reshaping the dynamics in the region and affecting the ongoing conflict and displacement in northern Syria.
