Syrian Refugee Camps and Conflict in Turkey

As a result of the violence in Syria more than 120,000 Syrians have sought refuge in camps in Turkey. There are currently refugee camps in eight provinces in Turkey, and it is estimated that over 70,000 Syrians are living outside the camps throughout Turkey. Three months ago, Turkey began to limit the number of refugees allowed to enter, increasing security checks along the border aimed at reducing the number of refugees. Because of the reduction strategy, thousands of Syrians have been stranded along the Syrian-Turkish border with no escape from the violence in Syria and no refuge in Turkey. It is estimated that 8000 or more Syrians are waiting at the Turkish border in Syria to enter Turkey.

Refugees can increase the chance of conflict in the country that hosts them.  In Turkey, we have recently seen the escalation in cross-border conflict with Syria, partially related to the cross-border movement of refugees. Ankara has done much to prevent the spread of conflict by catering to the humanitarian and security needs of the arriving refugees. However, recent events indicate that insecurity and the potential for more conflict spreading to Turkey have risen. There are three potential policy measures required to diffuse refugee-related conflict in host countries:

• manage the humanitarian needs of refugees
• contain security risks to refugee communities, and
• tackle the root causes related to the refugee movement.
   

Ankara has attempted the first two through establishing and managing refugee camps to respond to both the humanitarian needs of refugees and reduce the potential security risks of having over 100,000 newcomers arrive in a short period. The third policy measure – tackling the root causes of the refugee flows – has up to this point failed, and preventing further refugees from seeking protection may escalate the conflict further.

Camp management only meets the first two policy options of meeting basic security and humanitarian needs. Improving the capacity of the Turkish state to manage camps should be a high priority for allies. Another option available is through temporarily resettling Syrian refugees in safe countries. Resettlement of Syrian refugees to other countries could assist in releasing some of the pressure on Turkey. European countries such as Denmark can assist in this exercise. By assisting Syrian refugees to resettle temporarily in safe European states, we can help prevent their continued vulnerability. European countries should fully support Turkish efforts to provide for the humanitarian and security needs of Syrians fleeing the conflict. Turkey could do more to prevent the refugees from becoming further victims of conflict, but safe European countries can also help by providing safe haven to Syrian refugees.
 

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