News Opinons Politics

Erdogan Opens the Gates: Syrian Migrants Granted Unhindered Passage to Europe

The Turkish government has announced that for the next 72 hours it will open its border with Syria and allow any and all migrants to go to Europe unhindered.

A senior official has claimed that the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has opened the borders for Syrian asylum seekers and other migrants and will not prevent anyone from heading to Europe by land or by sea, Reuters reports.

According to the news service, all Turkish border and police officials have been ordered by the government to stand down along with members of the Turkish coastguard.


The move comes after the Turkish government claims to expect a wave of migrants after around one million people were displaced in Idlib.


Trump issues full-throated endorsement of Sen. Steve Daines: ‘HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!’
Trump Energy chief recounts evolution of US environs over 55 ‘Earth Days’: ‘A handily energized society works’
Papal punditry kicks in over who will succeed Pope Francis
Karen Read defense faces ‘high-wire’ act as retrial’s opening statements kick off, experts say
Blue state’s Democrat AG should be investigated for ‘politically charged’ prosecution of cop: police group
Supreme Court weighs right for parents to opt students out of LGBT content
State of War: How Trump is fighting a 9-front battle
Judge temporarily blocks NYC Mayor Adams’ plan to allow ICE agents in Rikers Island jail complex
Watch: White House Easter Egg Roll Shows Rare Side of Trump That the Masses Love
Trump backs two candidates for Arizona governor after Andy Biggs endorsement
DHS Chief Noem Victimized by Thief in Dem-Run D.C.: ‘Entire Family Was in Town’
Trump Announces Pope Francis Funeral Plans, Melania Also Confirmed
Commander Suspended After Trump, Vance, Hegseth Removed from Chain-of-Command Board
Comer asks DOJ to charge Cuomo over ‘calculated cover-up’ of nursing home deaths
Trump will attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome despite contentious past: ‘Look forward to being there!’

See also  Amazon allows Chinese military companies to profit off its online marketplace

According to Turkish journalist Ragip Soylu, “Land and sea crossings to Europe would be free to pass for the NEXT 72 HOURS and Turkey will open the borders immediately.”

Following the signing of the migrant agreement, brokered in 2015 and came into effect in 2016, between the European Union and Turkey, President Erdogan and his ministers have made repeated threats to open the border.

Last year Erdogan made several threats to “open the gates” including a threat in September in which he demanded aid from European countries to build a “security zone” along the border to settle around one million asylum seekers.


Trump issues full-throated endorsement of Sen. Steve Daines: ‘HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!’
Trump Energy chief recounts evolution of US environs over 55 ‘Earth Days’: ‘A handily energized society works’
Papal punditry kicks in over who will succeed Pope Francis
Karen Read defense faces ‘high-wire’ act as retrial’s opening statements kick off, experts say
Blue state’s Democrat AG should be investigated for ‘politically charged’ prosecution of cop: police group
Supreme Court weighs right for parents to opt students out of LGBT content
State of War: How Trump is fighting a 9-front battle
Judge temporarily blocks NYC Mayor Adams’ plan to allow ICE agents in Rikers Island jail complex
Watch: White House Easter Egg Roll Shows Rare Side of Trump That the Masses Love
Trump backs two candidates for Arizona governor after Andy Biggs endorsement
DHS Chief Noem Victimized by Thief in Dem-Run D.C.: ‘Entire Family Was in Town’
Trump Announces Pope Francis Funeral Plans, Melania Also Confirmed
Commander Suspended After Trump, Vance, Hegseth Removed from Chain-of-Command Board
Comer asks DOJ to charge Cuomo over ‘calculated cover-up’ of nursing home deaths
Trump will attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome despite contentious past: ‘Look forward to being there!’

See also  DC US Attorney Ed Martin faces scrutiny over undeclared Russian state media appearances

“Give us logistical support, and we can build houses up to 30 kilometres into the north of Syria,” he said and added, “Either that happens, or we open the gates.”

As of September, EU spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud noted that the political bloc had paid Turkey 5.6 billion euros as part of the EU-Turkey migrant pact.

Greece is the likely first stop for any of the migrants heading to Europe in the next 72 hours and was already expecting a surge in migrant numbers this year, with Manos Logothetis, the government commissioner for the initial reception of refugees, predicting 100,000 by the end of 2020.

It is estimated that as many as 3.6 million Syrian asylum seekers are currently in Turkey.

Story cited here.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter