ANKARA - Syrian refugees subjected to a racist attack last night in Ankara are leaving the neighborhood. A refugee who told he called the Red Cresent told that he was told to call them if their house is attacked.

 

Last night, racist groups attacked the homes and workplaces of Syrian refugees in the Önder and Battalgazi neighborhoods of Ankara's Altındağ district. The extent of the attack against the neighborhood was revealed in the morning. The houses were destroyed, windows were broken, and workplaces burned to the ground. While it was not possible to find any of the refugees on the street, all corners of the neighborhood were packed with police officers, barricading the streets. While some of the refugees were looking out of their windows, it was learned that most of them packed and left the neighborhood with the first light of the morning.

 

The rest of the refugees whose houses and workplaces burned to the ground are preparing to move away. It was learned that the houses of the refugees under temporary protection were evacuated in the morning accompanied by the police. According to the information we obtained from the local sources, the refugees who had to leave the neighborhood were taken to dormitories and gyms.

 

'WE DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE TO GO' 

 

While we witnessed that the refugees we came to meet could not leave their homes, it drew our attention that most of the refugees were scared to be photographed. A Syrian refugee who did not want to reveal his name said there were 5 people in his family and they all left the house but they did not have any idea where to go. M.R said: "We are under temporary protection, but there is no protection. We need help. It was hell last night. The children were scared out of their minds."

 

THE RED CRESCENT

 

Stating that he called the Red Crescent during the attack on the neighborhood, M.R said: "The Red Crescent official I spoke to told me to call them if our house is attacked and hung up on me." Underlining that the police did nothing to the attackers the other night, M.R said: "We need help. We have no life safety."

 

TURKISH FLAGS ON WINDOWS

 

While police officers were waiting in groups in the streets, it drew attention that Turkish flags were hung on the workplaces and homes. Especially the ones that belongs to the refugees. On the other hand, it was seen that the signboards in Arabic were removed.

 

LEAD BY THE GREYWOLVES

 

Eyewitnesses in the neighborhood told that a racist group, led by Karapürçek Greywolves whose members have been wandering the streets for the last couple of days were shouting islamic slogans on the streets. One of the people living in the neighborhood who did not want to reveal their name said: "There were strangers last night. Not just the people living in this neighborhood. There were licence plate numbers of neighboring cities. We think they were brought here. Police did not take any precaution."

 

MA / Zemo Ağgöz