While everyone says they will leave... Warning on Syrians from Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Seçer: Is a new wave of migration coming to Turkey?

Following the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, images were circulated showing Syrians living in our country returning to their own countries. However, it turned out that the situation is not like that at all. Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer raised the danger that a new wave of migration from Syria could be encountered.

Regarding the latest developments in Syria, Vahap Seçer said, "If the armed groups that have currently seized authority there engage in attitudes we do not desire, that is, if there are attempts to settle old scores, we could face a picture that I am truly worried even to think about today, and in that case, while we are waiting for the Syrians here to leave, I frankly have concerns that we may also face a new wave of Syrian migration."

"SYRIA IS NOT AN EASY GEOGRAPHY"

Evaluating the latest situation in Syria, Seçer said that Mersin is one of the regions receiving the most migration.

Seçer said, "As Mersin, we have been a region receiving intense migration for a long time. I can say that there are currently more than 300 thousand Syrians. Important developments have taken place in Syria. We can say that Syria has fundamentally changed. Of course, the process from here on out is extremely important. However, I can say that no one knows what dimensions the future developments there will evolve into.

Syria is not an easy geography. It is a country that is extremely interesting with its sociology, demography, and strategy. It is a region that could witness very major developments. It is not just about reaching an agreement with two separate opposing groups and establishing a new order there; there are many more groups, groups with different expectations, various groups based on sectarian differences, or groups with political expectations, which naturally brings a very complex environment with it," he said.

Seçer used the following expressions:

"WE MAY FACE A NEW WAVE OF SYRIAN MIGRATION"

Of course, while on one hand we are talking about the return of Syrians with different statuses currently in our city and even our country to their countries, and while we are hoping and wishing for this to be done within a framework of a plan, my concern is not to face a second wave of migration. One must evaluate the event with a realistic approach.

''There are different groups there, and when people who have not had the chance to live in that region until today, who have not felt safe for one reason or another, and who have managed their lives until today in countries neighboring Syria like Turkey, return there, if they engage in different behavior against groups they see as a threat under the conditions of that day, if the armed groups that have currently seized authority there engage in attitudes we do not desire, that is, if there are attempts to settle old scores, we could face a picture that I am truly worried even to think about today, and in that case, while we are waiting for the Syrians here to leave, I frankly have concerns that we may also face a new wave of Syrian migration.''

"I DO NOT HAVE VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS"

- I hope that a democratic management approach that encompasses all these differences will be established in the near future. But I am underlining it again and again. I do not have very high expectations regarding this. The war being waged there, the conflict environments there are being carried out by proxy wars and proxy groups. I think that what those who appointed them as trustees, those who gave them the proxy, think is actually much more important.

"I DID NOT IGNORE THE SYRIAN POPULATION"

- During my time in office as mayor, I did not ignore the existing Syrian population. In fact, we have taken initiatives with joint projections, especially with the United Nations Migration Agency, on issues that perhaps many municipalities have not taken action on.

For example, there is a harmony center in Mersin, and naturally, it has provided very important contributions to our municipality in terms of touching upon some of the problems of the population there and establishing communication with them. Ultimately, we are talking about a long period like 13 years. It must not be easy for local governments or local administrators to keep this community living there in peace without causing any negative or distressing incidents. We have struggled with many events and troubles, but we have reached today without encountering any incident that we would be very, very sorry about, for which we can be grateful. Here, of course, one must give credit to the people of Mersin.

"WE WILL DO OUR PART AS A MUNICIPALITY"

As you know, Mersin is a city of immigrants, a multicultural city. It is a projection of Anatolia, of Turkey. Because of that feature, the culture of living together actually integrated the Syrians living there in a sense. No major problems were experienced. I hope that an environment of peace will be established in Syria as soon as possible. People will go to their countries safely and voluntarily, and we will pave the way for this. Turkey will have a major function, and local governments will have a major function. We, as the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, will of course do our part.”

“You said you have concerns about a second wave of migration. This naturally has a material and moral burden on the municipality. What is the direction of the Mersin Municipality's work in the event of a second wave of migration, that is, in the first wave of migration?” to the question, Seçer replied as follows:

“Frankly, this is not a subject that specifically concerns only the Mersin Municipality. It is a problem for our entire country, especially for provinces close to Syria and large metropolises like Istanbul. I do not think that taking some measures regarding these issues on our own is very sufficient. Of course, we are not currently in such a preparation. That is, while on one hand we are making projections to send existing refugees or Syrians, I am only stating a second wave of migration as a result that will emerge under very negative conditions. But I am saying that this should not be kept out of the possibility, and that it should not even be seen as a very small possibility. I am saying this as a person who knows the cultural differences there, the demography there, and the political differences there. Of course, I am not playing devil's advocate, but I am saying it as a foresight.”