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Turkey Besieges and Bargains Over the Fate of Refugees from Lebanon: Blackmail to Accept Assad
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Turkey's choice for Syrians between normalizing relations with the Syrian regime and closing border crossings highlights a dangerous political approach that ignores human rights and deepens the wounds
A horrific humanitarian incident occurred at the Aoun Al-Dadat border crossing, where a displaced Syrian woman was forced to give birth under harsh conditions after the crossing was closed by a controversial Turkish decision. This came following the woman's second displacement from Lebanon, fleeing the turmoil engulfing the region.
Informed sources reported that the closure of the crossing from the Turkish side came as part of what they described as Ankara's "blackmail policy." Turkish authorities have given Syrians two bitter choices: either accept normalization with Assad's regime and open the Abu Al-Zendin crossing, or face the closure of the Aoun Al-Dadat crossing for displaced people's movement.
This Turkish approach has sparked a wave of indignation and condemnation. Analysts view Turkey as blatantly exploiting the suffering of refugees as a political pressure card, ignoring the severe humanitarian consequences of its decisions on innocent lives. This policy also reflects a stark contradiction between Ankara's claims of supporting the Syrian people and its actual practices on the ground.
Amidst this crisis, urgent calls have emerged from human rights and humanitarian organizations to stop using civilians as tools in a game of political interests. Syrian activists have demanded that authorities in opposition-controlled areas of northwestern Syria immediately open border crossings and provide safe passages for the displaced, emphasizing that the right to life and human dignity must supersede any political considerations.
This incident sheds light again on the humanitarian predicament faced by Syrian refugees, who find themselves victims of complex regional conflicts. It also raises serious questions about Turkey's commitment to its moral and legal obligations towards refugees and calls for a comprehensive review of Turkish policies in dealing with the Syrian crisis.
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