Erdoğan announces number of migrants in Turkey: Targets opposition again

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements at the 'Turkey's Migration Management in the Century of Turkey' program held at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) in Istanbul.

Stating that the number of refugees worldwide is approaching 120 million, Erdoğan said, "Although the policies of Western powers are mostly what force people to migrate, you cannot see any of them around when it comes to sharing the burden."

Continuing his speech, Erdoğan targeted the opposition and announced the number of migrants in Turkey.

Reacting to the number of migrants voiced by the opposition, Erdoğan said, "There are a total of 4 million 33 thousand migrants in Turkey, including 2 million 768 thousand of our Syrian brothers and sisters under temporary protection, 1 million 90 thousand with residence permits, and 176 thousand under international protection."

In the continuation of his speech, Erdoğan announced that the number of people who have returned from Turkey to Syria has reached 200 thousand.

ÖZDAĞ HAD SAID, "THERE ARE 7 MILLION SYRIANS"

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ, who is currently detained in Silivri Prison, had previously claimed that there were 5 million registered and 2 million unregistered Syrians in Turkey.

Here are the highlights from Erdoğan's statements:

"I said we would not send away the muhajir (migrants) in Syria. We viewed migration as a hijra (migration) from Mecca to Medina. The issue of migration, as a global phenomenon, has been occupying the world's agenda, especially in recent years. There are currently more than 281 million migrants worldwide.

"WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE THE CAUSE OF MIGRATION"

The number of migrant workers is over 165 million. Every year, millions of people are forced to leave their homelands due to terrorism and poverty. Today, 3.6 percent of the world's population is trying to survive as migrants. Although the policies of Western powers are mostly what force people to migrate, you cannot see any of them around when it comes to sharing the burden. The number of refugees in the world has reached 120 million. As long as wars do not end, these rates will continue to increase exponentially. There are migrants who are killed by having their boats punctured. More than 72 thousand people have died on migration routes in the last decade.

"THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 4 MILLION 33 THOUSAND MIGRANTS IN TURKEY"

There are a total of 4 million 33 thousand migrants in Turkey, including 2 million 768 thousand of our Syrian brothers and sisters under temporary protection, 1 million 90 thousand with residence permits, and 176 thousand under international protection. This number is decreasing day by day with the measures taken. 'I will give up my throne, I will give up my crown, but I will never give up the oppressed who take refuge in my state.' These are the words of our ancestors. We are trying to be worthy of them. There is and has never been a number of migrants in our country as claimed by the opposition, especially by some fascist circles that are enemies of humanity. We do not neglect the fight against illegal migration and human smugglers either. In the last 2 years, the entry of 270 thousand irregular migrants across our borders has been prevented.

"THOSE RETURNING TO SYRIA ARE INCREASING"

Syria is recovering. As stability in Syria strengthens, the number of returnees increases. Since December 9, the number of people who have returned to Syria from Turkey alone has reached 200 thousand. The number of people who have returned to their lands has reached 931 thousand 450. Despite various difficulties, obstacles, and sabotage, Syria is slowly recovering. As Syria gets back on its feet, the number of returnees has begun to accelerate. We are determined not to allow inhumane behaviors such as the mistreatment of migrants, which we frequently witness in Western countries. Of course, we will not compromise on our country's security, but we will not condemn Turkey to the hate speech that a handful of racist, lumpen figures constantly spread to instill fear in society."