The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the Turkish gendarmerie do not hesitate when it comes to preventing Syrians attempting to cross the border strip between Syria and Turkey through gunfire and brutal torture, which civilians who are arrested on the border endure.

According to the observatory, most of the smuggling operations of Syrians are carried out after coordination between smugglers and officers of the Turkish gendarmerie, after receiving large sums of money.

“Despite statements by the Turkish government and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, regarding preparing residences for Syrians in the so-called “safe zone” in areas controlled by Turkish-backed factions in Syrian territory, Syrians continue their attempts to sneak into Turkey from different areas along the border strip stretching from western Idlib in the north-west Syria to the far north-eastern region of Syria,” SOHR said.

The observatory reported that the number of civilians killed by Turkish border guards (gendarmerie) since early 2023 in different areas near the Syria-Turkey border has increased to 25. In addition, 39 civilians, including a child and three women, were injured in gunfire by Turkish Jandarma in the same period. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights strongly condemned the frequent inhumane practices by Turkish gendarmerie and called for the protection of Syrian civilians who seek a safe haven away from military battles and atrocities committed in their homeland.

“We also call for an end to violations against those civilians, especially since they are struggling with a disastrous situation and dreadful living conditions in all zones of influence throughout Syria, mainly in the north Syria region, which contravenes Ankara’s baseless claims of securing decent standards of living in the so-called safe zone,” SOHR said.

Photo: SOHR