Half a million Syrians return from Turkey, but were they forced?

Some 560,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey have returned to their country as part of deportation projects, many fleeing the harassment they were facing in the country.
Incoming Syrian refugees who were suddenly deported from Turkey await to register with officials.
Incoming Syrian refugees who were suddenly deported from Turkey await to register with officials as they re-enter Syria, at the Bab al-Hawa crossing between Turkey and Syria's northwestern Idlib province on July 24, 2019. - AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images
DSC00998.JPG
Mohammed Hardan
@_MohammedHardan

The issue of hosting Syrian refugees has become a hot topic in Turkey about six months before the presidential elections and at a time when Turkey is grappling with a severe economic crisis.

Opposition parties pledged for ensuring the return of millions of Syrians.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more