Human Rights Association (İHD), stated that at least 50 ISIS gang members crossed over from Girê Spî to Turkey, and that the Turkish state did not follow upon the arrival of any of these gangs.

Human Rights Association (İHD), stated that at least 50 ISIS gang members crossed over from Girê Spî (Tel Abyad) to Turkey, and that the Turkish state did not follow upon the arrival of any of these gangs. In its report, IHD said that thousands of refugees kept at the border for 3 days were not able to satisfy their basic needs such as nutrition.

'CIVILIANS KEPT AT THE BORDER WERE UNABLE TO SATISFY THEIR BASIC NEEDS'

Representatives from Human Rights Association (IHD) Headquarters went to Akçakale Border Gate in order to examine the conditions of predominantly-Arab refugees who have been fleeing from Girê Spî (Tel Abyad) due to the clashes between ISIS gangs and the forces of PYD and Burkan El Fırat throughout June, 2015. The IHD committee released its report on its observations and stated that approximately 23,250 crossed over to Turkey between June 3 and 13, 2015. IHD reported that the Turkish state banned border crossings between June 13 and 16, and finally changed its policy on June 16. IHD added that thousands of people including women, children, and disabled individuals were kept at the border for 3 days, during which these civilians were unable to satisfy their basic needs such as nutrition.

'ISIS VIOLENCE CAUSES CIVILIANS TO SEEK REFUGE'

IHD emphasized that ISIS violence was the main cause for civilians’ escape and added that people began to return to Girê Spî after PYD and Burkan El Fırat forces liberated the town from ISIS gangs. IHD stated that 90 percent of the civilians were Arab and got directed to refugee camps in the Derik district of Mardin, and 10 percent of the civilians were Turkmen and got directed to refugee camps in Osmaniye. IHD also emphasized the arrest of journalists who asked questions to Urfa governor, and added that Turkish civilians carried out verbal attacks on the arrested journalists.

'ISIS GANGS CROSSED OVER INTO TURKEY'

IHD Committee stated that ISIS gangs directed fleeing civilians to an area full of landmines in order to use Akçakale Border Gate for crossing over into Turkey themselves on June 5, 2015. IHD reported that at least 50 ISIS gang members entered Turkey as a result of this manipulation. IHD said that a significant portion of the refugees was composed of women, children, old men and disabled individuals. Many refugees were denied access to camps and could not satisfy their basic needs such as nutrition. In its report, IHD posed the question of why Akçakale Border Gate was closed to crossings between June 13 and 16, which created a grave security threat and allowed the passage of ISIS gangs into Turkey.

'VICTIMIZATION SHOULD BE PREVENTED'

IHD committee declared that the questions they posed remain unanswered and their attempts to meet with Urfa governor were ignored. IHD emphasized the cases of victimization targeting civilian refugees and said that the Turkish state did not do anything to follow upon the arrival and passage of more than 50 ISIS gang members. IHD demanded the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid through Akçakale Border Gate, and said that further cases of victimization should be prevented at all costs.