ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday that Turkey is reopening its Yayladagi border gate with Syria to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of millions of Syrian refugees currently residing in Turkey. This move comes in the wake of a dramatic shift in Syria, with President Bashar al-Assad ousted by opposition forces. The rebel takeover of Damascus has marked a significant turning point for the Middle East, following over 13 years of civil war and more than 50 years of Assad’s authoritarian rule.
In his statement after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan highlighted that the reopening of the Yayladagi border gate would help manage the flow of returning refugees and prevent congestion at the crossing. The Yayladagi gate, located on the northwestern edge of Syria, had been closed since 2013 due to the ongoing conflict near the border. Erdogan emphasized that the voluntary return of Syrian migrants would be handled with the same care and hospitality that Turkey has extended since hosting them.
Earlier in the day, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated that Turkey would work to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees. He further emphasized that Turkey would support Syria’s reconstruction efforts and coordinate with regional partners to foster a stable future for the Syrian people. While Turkey has supported Syrian opposition forces in the past, it insists that the new Syrian administration must be inclusive, with Syrians determining their own future without interference from groups it deems as terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
With Turkey hosting around 3 million Syrian refugees, it is the largest host country for those fleeing Syria’s brutal civil war. The announcement of the border opening has also led to a rise in shares of Turkish construction and cement companies, with expectations of a role in Syria’s rebuilding process.
