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Turkey’s Kurdish Question Extends to Syria

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government is struggling with whether its interests are better served by jihadists or Kurdish groups controlling areas of northern Syria.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu speaks to the media after the Friends of Syria alliance meeting in Amman May 22, 2013. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXZX4H
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The Ceylanpinar border crossing between Turkey and Syria is located within the Sanliurfa province. Adjacent to the Ceylanpinar border crossing is the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain, written "Rasulayn" in Turkish. Historically, Ceylanpinar was an adjunct of Rasulayn. In Ottoman times, Ceylanpinar was administered from Rasulayn, then in 1921 the border between Turkey and Syria was demarcated along the railroad track. Ceylanpinar became part of Turkey and Ras al-Ain a part of Syria.

Perhaps the best way to describe how these two towns were once one is to use their Kurdish names: Ceylanpinar becomes "Serekani," and Ras al-Ain "Serekaniye.”

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