Turkish citizens evacuated from Lebanon worry about relatives left behind

Turkish citizens evacuated on the amphibious ships TCG Sancaktar and TCG Bayraktar, which delivered humanitarian aid to Lebanon under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense, are experiencing the joy of safely reaching their country.

Some of the citizens, who settled with relatives in various provinces, have arrived in the Midyat and Savur districts of Mardin.

Settling into their family homes here, the citizens expressed gratitude to Turkey for rescuing them from the bombings, while also expressing sadness for leaving behind relatives who could not accompany them due to work situations or other reasons.

Nesrin Efetürk, who settled in her father's house in the Üçkavak neighborhood of Savur with her 3 children, spoke about what they experienced in Beirut, noting that her children were very frightened by the bombings.

Efetürk stated that an explosion occurred right in front of their house and described how they became unable to sleep at night due to the fear they experienced.

Expressing that everyone began registering their names after the evacuation decision was made, Efetürk said, "I registered for the evacuation. My name, my husband's name, and my children's names came up. However, my husband could not come. Seeing the Turkish ships was a wonderful feeling. We felt safe, that we were in good hands. We also received a lot of attention from our soldiers on the ship. May God be pleased with them."

"MY HUSBAND STAYED IN LEBANON"

Stating that they had planned to return to the country from Tripoli by their own means before the Turkish ships arrived, but decided to return on the Turkish ships upon hearing the evacuation decision, Efetürk said, "They took us out of the middle of the war. While we were there, there was the sound of warplanes and explosions. We were hearing these sounds even while registration was taking place. When we saw the Turkish soldiers there, we felt very safe. They played with our children and met their needs. We thank the Turkish soldiers very much."

Efetürk explained that her husband also wanted to come to Turkey but could not, and added the following:

"My husband stayed in Lebanon. His family is a bit unwell, he is taking care of them. I want him to come very much, but I don't know how that will happen. Our prayers are with him. I am very worried about him."

Vesile Erol, who returned to her father's house in the Savur district, stated that she married and moved to Beirut and has lived in Lebanon for 45 years.

Explaining that she has 4 sons, Erol continued as follows:

"My children are outside. If my children were there, I wouldn't have been able to come either. But my husband is a tradesman there. I have seen all the wars there for 45 years. This current war is very bad; I came by fleeing. There is no electricity or water. Bombs are destroying and burning everything. My husband is there; I talk to him every day. He says, 'Don't worry.' I don't know what to do in this fear. Some of our relatives came, some stayed there. Everyone who arrived is thanking Turkey. I love my Turkey, my flag, and my nation very much. I am proud of Turkey."