Tabqa Civil Society Organization: Turkey is using Syrian refugees for its own interests

Tabqa Civil Society Organization co-chair, Setam Selame, said that since 2011, when the Syrian crisis began, the Turkish state has been using Syrian refugees for its own interests. He added that the Turkish state has used refugees and migrants as leverage against its neighboring states.

Selame told ANHA: “The Turkish state is trying to re-establish the Ottoman state. It uses Syrian refugees to get money. The Turkish state uses people as a pressure card at the UN. In this way, it is trying to earn financial gain. It also threatens the European Union with refugees.”

The Turkish state has armed Syrian refugees and sent them to countries such as Libya and Nagorno Karabakh for its own benefit, Selame said, adding: “The Turkish state belittles the people of the region. Syrian refugees should reject the policies of the Turkish state. The Turkish state most recently attacked Syrian refugees in Ankara. Many homes and businesses were destroyed in the attack. Syrians should not cross into Turkey.”