Spiegel: EU Helped Fortify Turkey’s Border

The European Union has funded Turkey to block Syrians fleeing the brutal war. “In March 2016, the EU and Ankara closed a deal under which the Europeans would pay 3 billion euros to Turkey if the country kept the refugees inside its borders,” writes Maximilian Popp for Spiegel Online. The funding contributes to harsh security measures from Turkey including a border wall, deportations, surveillance technology and, according to refugees, soldiers who “indiscriminately open fire on refugees.” Some money intended for refugees instead went to European firms that manufacture defense vehicles. More than 500,000 Syrians have been killed in the war and millions displaced. In one week alone, “Turkey displaced tens of thousands with its military intervention in the northern Syrian city of Afrin, which it has captured from the Kurdish YPG militia,” Popp notes. Lebanon and Jordan have refused to accept more refugees. To exit the war zone, refugees must pay large sums and risk their lives. – YaleGlobal