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Turkey’s Buffer Zone in Northern Syria and Its Impact on Irregular Migration

ABSTRACT This commentary examines Ankara’s ‘safe zones’ in Northern Syria, as well as elaborating on whether creating safe zones in response to the war in Syria and the subsequent humanitarian catastrophe was a choice or a requirement for Ankara in terms of irregular migration and border security. Turkey has declared multiple safe zones within Syria’s borders, using its right to self-defense under international law, to battle terrorist organizations that have taken advantage of the rising authority vacuum on Syrian land to put Turkish borders and nationals in danger. After an examination of the critical turning points in the Syrian civil war, the paper proposes that the safe zones serve three preemptive and prospective functions by providing a safe haven for the civilian population, by paving a step forward in the counter-terrorism campaign, and attempts to stop irregular migration and finally, by allowing Syrians to return to their homeland.

Turkey s Buffer Zone in Northern Syria and Its Impact
The UNRH Coordinator for Syria, Kevin Kennedy (L2), ex head of Turkey’s AFAD, Mehmet Güllüoğlu (R2) and Director of the White Helmets, Raed al-Saleh (R) in the International Idlib Conference on March 5, 2020, İstanbul, Turkey. SERHAT ÇAĞDAŞ / AA
 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

Irregular migration has certainly been one of the most important items on the global political agenda in the 21st century. Fleeing war, instability, and economic underdevelopment, many people take huge risks to pursue a safer and more prosperous future by leaving their native lands and relocating to other countries. Turkey’s neighborhood has witnessed some of the most striking and tragic repercussions of that development in recent years. Experiencing economic and political instability as well as security problems due to war or internal conflict, many people from countries like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan have been trying to migrate to safer and more prosperous nations in the West. Without a doubt, Turkey has been the most frequently targeted country as part of those migratory movements stemming from the Middle East. In addition to being located on an ancient migration route between the East and the West, the country’s stable and robust state structure, together with its history and cultural background, make it a convenient choice for refugees looking for a sanctuary.

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