Turkey continues deportations of Syrian refugees, raising concerns

TEL ABYAD, Syria — Turkey conducted more forced deportations on Tuesday, expelling 250 Syrian refugees through the Tel Abyad and Bab al-Hawa border crossings located in northern Syria.

The deportees were handed over to shelter centers run by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) Military Police. Subsequently, the refugees were subjected to extensive investigations and security evaluations. Reports indicate that the Turkish occupation authorities confiscated all legal documents from the deportees, and in a concerning move, took biometric data such as eye and handprints. In what appears to be an attempt to legitimize the process, deportees were coerced into signing a document claiming the deportation was voluntary.

This incident contributes to a growing trend of deportations through border crossings under Turkish control. The total number of Syrian refugees deported in this manner has now reached 2,200 individuals. These actions raise concerns about the circumstances of these deportations and the wellbeing of those affected, prompting international attention to the matter.