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More than 30,000 Syrians leave Turkey for Eid al-Fitr
More than 30,000 Syrians leave Turkey for Eid al-Fitr
More than 30,000 Syrians have left Turkey to spend the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr in Syria, as long lines of Syrian families, laden with baggage, have started queuing at border crossings between the two countries. Here is the story in photos...
More than 74,000 Syrian migrants had booked online appointments for border crossings, as designed by the Turkish authorities. As of the morning of June 4 more than 30,000 had crossed the border into Syria.
Muslims mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr. The religious holiday will start on the evening of June 14 in Turkey this year.
More than 3.5 million Syrians have taken refuge in Turkey since the conflict broke out in 2011, the vast majority living in big cities rather than in camps.
More than 3.5 million Syrians have taken refuge in Turkey since the conflict broke out in 2011, the vast majority living in big cities rather than in camps.
The authorities in the southern Turkish province of Kilis bordering Syria put in place a special system last year whereby Syrians could return home for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (the Feast of the Sacrifice) before returning to Turkey.
After uploading details on a special website and registering, they can leave Turkish territory through border gates at the scheduled time.
Main opposition People’s Republican Party (CHP) presidential candidate Muharrem İnce told private broadcaster CNN Türk on May 25 that the border gates should be closed to migrants who go to Syria for Eid visits, prompting criticism from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
However, İnce said later he would “send Syrians back to their country on their own will” if he is elected.
The government also criticizes the EU on the migrants issue.
Turkey is no one’s “buffer” zone for migration, drugs or terror, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said on May 29, adding that all partners must share any “burden.”
At the height of the migrant crisis in 2015, more than 857,000 people reached Greece from Turkey. A 2016 deal between Turkey and the EU has dramatically reduced the numbers of migrants coming into Greece. (Photos: Doğan News Agency)
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