Refugees in Edirne leaving for other provinces of Turkey


A group of 300 Syrians who had been camping at İlhan Koman Park in Edirne were evacuated. While some of them were sent back to Istanbul on buses, those who did not want to leave the northwestern province joined the Syrians camping in the Kırkpınar Er Meydanı, the stadium hosting this year's Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Championship. However, a small group of refugees did not want to leave the park and some even suffered nervous break downs. Following efforts to cool down the group, they were finally convinced and sent to Er Meydanı. Those who were already camping at Er Meydanı began to leave for the provinces of their choosing. According to the statement of Edirne Governor Ali Şahin, a group of 1,500 Syrians, including women, children and infants, departed for other provinces throughout Turkey on Tuesday.

On Monday, Edirne Şahin made a statement saying the refugees cannot stay in Edirne and they will be transferred to other provinces by Qurban Bayram (Feast of Sacrifice). He said, "We will make a record of their names, including their identification details and where they are from, as well as where they have been living. We will send them to places they want to go, not to refugee camps."