Turkish Opposition Leader Plans to Return Syrian Refugees

Turkish police detain demonstrators in Istanbul on the anniversary of a suicide bombing in Suruc (AFP)
Turkish police detain demonstrators in Istanbul on the anniversary of a suicide bombing in Suruc (AFP)
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Turkish Opposition Leader Plans to Return Syrian Refugees

Turkish police detain demonstrators in Istanbul on the anniversary of a suicide bombing in Suruc (AFP)
Turkish police detain demonstrators in Istanbul on the anniversary of a suicide bombing in Suruc (AFP)

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of Turkey's main opposition, the Republican People's Party, has renewed his intention to return Syrian refugees to their country if he won the presidential elections in June 2023.

Kilicdaroglu announced a four-stage plan over two years to return 99 percent of the Syrian refugees to their country after providing them with all means of safety and stability.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of community organizations and local leaders in Ankara, the opposition leader said the first stage includes dialogue with the Syrian regime and restoring relations to normal between Ankara and Damascus.

The second step includes ensuring the safety of citizens' lives and property if they return to areas under the regime's control, said Kilicdaroglu, adding that the Turkish and Syrian armies and the UN will provide security.

The third stage will prepare for housing and jobs for the returnees through EU funding to Turkish construction companies, and the fourth stage includes transferring the factories established by Syrian businessmen in Gaziantep to Aleppo.

Kilicdaroglu indicated that the Turkish community is not comfortable with the Syrians, adding that he will create the right conditions for 99 percent of the Syrian refugees to return to their homeland.

The opposition leader made numerous statements about returning the Syrians and bidding farewell to them at the border.

"Don't you worry. We will send our Syrian siblings to their homes with drums and zurnas within two years at the latest," Kilicdaroglu said.

The issue of the displaced Syrian has become the top concern of the Turkish public ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections next year, in light of the deteriorating economic conditions in the country.

Meanwhile, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya, will visit Turkey between Jul 25 and 29.

Msuya is expected to meet with Turkish officials, donors, UN agencies, and local and international NGOs involved in cross-border aid. She will engage with affected people and Syrian women's groups to discuss the challenges they face.



South Korean Prosecutors Seek Drone Chief's Arrest over Operation in North

A South Korean flag covers a ceremonial guard member prior to the arrival of South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in at the White House in Washington, US, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Files
A South Korean flag covers a ceremonial guard member prior to the arrival of South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in at the White House in Washington, US, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Files
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South Korean Prosecutors Seek Drone Chief's Arrest over Operation in North

A South Korean flag covers a ceremonial guard member prior to the arrival of South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in at the White House in Washington, US, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Files
A South Korean flag covers a ceremonial guard member prior to the arrival of South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in at the White House in Washington, US, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Files

South Korean prosecutors said on Sunday they had sought court approval to detain the head of a military drone unit as part of an investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol and drone operations in neighboring North Korea.

Prosecutors stepped up a probe into the drone operation after indicting the jailed ex-President Yoon on Saturday on additional charges for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December.

They had summoned the unit's chief, Kim Yong-dae, on Thursday regarding accusations that Yoon ordered a covert drone operation into the North last year to inflame tension between the neighbors to justify his martial law decree, Reuters reported.

Yoon has denied the accusations.

Kim told reporters the incident was part of a "clandestine military operation" in response to trash balloons sent from the North and not intended to provoke the neighboring nation.

In October, North Korea said the South had sent drones to scatter anti-North Korea leaflets over Pyongyang, and published photos of the remains of a crashed South Korean military drone.

South Korea at the time declined to disclose whether it had sent the drones.

In a statement on Sunday, the prosecution office said it had sought an arrest warrant for Kim. Media said a court hearing is planned for Monday afternoon to review the request for a warrant.

He was arrested on Friday without a court warrant, media said. Prosecutors and police are permitted to make an "emergency arrest" if they have a strong belief someone is guilty of a serious crime and may flee or destroy evidence.