MIGRANTS AT THE BORDER

“We will no longer keep the doors closed for refugees who want to go to Europe.” Türkiye announced this in protest of what it sees as Western inaction in Syria. An Assad regime airstrike killed 33 Turkish soldiers in Idlib in late February, and as a NATO member Turkey expected much stronger support from European countries in its fight for Idlib and more broadly in supporting its troops east of the Euphrates. However, neither NATO nor any European countries gave Türkiye any of that expected support.

The renewed refugee crisis and what is happening in Syria is a global international challenge. Türkiye’s decision to open the border is a message to the world to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Now, thousands of refugees are gathered at the Turkish-Greek border searching for a better life.They are a group of people whose destiny has entrapped them in a life of war and violence. Hoping to break free from this fate, they fling themselves into the unforgiving seas of life. But instead of pulling them out of this fate, life has left them trapped in the midst of two war zones. They fled one war only to be stranded on the shores of a similar war. Other than escaping aerial bombardment, these people are still being bombarded with the same bullets and smoke bombs that they initially fled from in their home country. The situation on the Greek-Turkish border is horrifying.

The refugees express their gratitude to Türkiye for opening their doors to them when they fled the war in their home country. Türkiye was the only country to help them in their time of need. However, most of these refugees are seeking a higher standard of living than Türkiye can offer. Some of the conditions in Türkiye are no longer adequate for the life that they yearn for. Some families mentioned the long working hours that prevent them from seeing their children. Some families mentioned the high rents that they could no longer accommodate.

“We hope for an even better standard of living. The monthly rent is a bit expensive; the cheapest rent is 600 Turkish liras. 600 liras is not something we have nor do I have someone who can earn it. I’m 60 years old,” said Issa Abdel-Rahman who wants to reunite with his daughter, who lives in Germany. Their hope and dream is to finally live the life they dream of in Europe. Greece was supposed to be a beacon of light and hope, guiding the refugees on their voyage through the turbulent seas. Greece was supposed to be the “Mother of Civilization,” but the people of Greece have turned their backs on these oppressed women and children. Instead of offering a motherly hand, they fired on them and pushed them away like animals.

Leaving people stranded on the cold and wet ground is not an act of humanity. Officials need to implement a humane solution to this problem. Ignoring the crisis or retaliating with force is not a response befitting a human being.