Why Turkey is closing down Syrian refugee camps
The Turkish government has been systematically closing down Syrian refugee camps, citing high costs and integration problems, but are those the real reasons?
Since late 2018, Turkey has been closing down its refugee camps built for Syrians escaping the war-torn country. The Turkish government cites the high costs of the camps and the integration problems of Syrians to justify its decision. However, according to experts and human right activists, the real reason is different.
Turkey has closed six refugee camps in Gaziantep, Adiyaman and Kilis. Syrian refugees compelled to leave the camps have two choices: go to bigger cities in Turkey, or return to Syria.
Opened in 2015, Turkey's largest camp, located in Suruc, with some 35,000 inhabitants, will be closed June 23. Some 28,000 refugees have left the camp since the beginning of April.
Ankara says it can no longer afford the high costs of the camps and that refugees, living isolated in the camps, face difficulties integrating into Turkish social life.
