JINHA

ANKARA – The Human Rights Association delegation that traveled to the border gate at Akçakale in Turkey has reported that 50 Daesh members have come across the border into Turkey since they fled the city of Girê Spî (Tel Abyad).

Refugees from the city of Girê Spî (Tel Abyad) in Syria have been fleeing across the border from Syria into Turkey since clashes began between Daesh forces occupying the area and YPJ/YPG and Burak al-Firat forces. Turkey's Human Rights Association (İHD) headed to the border gate at Akçakale to assess the conditions of the refugees, who are mainly of Arab origins.

The research found that at least 50 Daesh members crossed into Turkey without being in any way impeded by Turkish authorities, even as thousands of civilian refugees were kept waiting at the border for days.

According to the report, approximately 23,250 people crossed the border into Turkey over the course of 10 days, from June 3 to June 13, 2015. The Turkish government then suddenly closed the border on June 13. Researchers found that the refugees have been denied basic necessities at the border. Thousands of people, many of them women, elderly people, children and people with disabilities, were kept waiting in the heat for three days while the Turkish state refused to open the border.

Most of the civilians (who are 90% Arab, 10% Turkmen) reported that they were fleeing Daesh violence. Since the YPJ/YPG and Burkan al-Firat completely freed the city of Daesh, refugees have begun to return. Arab refugees have been placed in refugee camps in the Derik district of Mardin, with Turkmen refugees being sent to a camp in the province of Osmaniye.

The report found that civilians who had come through the Akçakale border gate were afraid for their lives. They reported that they were directed into mine-infested regions as they attempted to cross the border. Many report that they are still being refused access to tent cities. Pregnant, disabled and sick people are in particularly critical condition and no food or housing is being provided to the refugees.

(gc/mg/cm)