Fahrettin Altun, the head of the communications office in the Turkish presidency, confirmed that Turkey is closely monitoring the incitement against Syrian refugees and provocations that cause tension. This came after acts of vandalism against properties belonging to Syrian nationals in Kayseri, central Turkey. Altun stated in a release posted on X: "We are closely following the incitement against Syrian refugees and the provocations that cause tension... We note that attempts to disrupt public order in Turkey through provocative acts will not achieve their goals."
Furthermore, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the arrest of 67 individuals involved in the vandalism against properties belonging to Syrian nationals in Kayseri that occurred following rumors about a Syrian refugee allegedly assaulting a Syrian girl. Yerlikaya stated: "Turkish security forces arrested 67 individuals who participated in acts of vandalism against the properties of Syrian refugees in Kayseri last Sunday night, following the alleged assault by a Syrian refugee on a 4-year-old Syrian girl."
Additionally, the headman of the Osmanlı district in Kayseri, Beitallah Orgün, told Sputnik that "Turkish citizens set fire to homes, businesses, and vehicles belonging to Syrian refugees in several neighborhoods of the Melikgazi district in response to the alleged assault." He noted that "security authorities were mobilized following the outbreak of vandalism in neighborhoods inhabited by Syrians and necessary security measures were taken in those areas."
On his part, Kayseri Governor Gökmen Çiçek announced that five security personnel were injured while responding to the vandalism in the province. Turkish media reported that 14 security personnel and firefighters were injured during the acts of vandalism against Syrian properties. The Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Services announced that "the girl who was assaulted and her family are under state protection."
