Turkey for Syrians – a home or a stepping stone?

After it was announced that Turkey would be opening its borders to let nearly 4 million Syrian refugees enter Europe, there was some jubilation – until Greece took brutal steps to prevent the movement. Sebnem Arsu met those refugees looking for a home

In Istanbul, tensions are rising between locals and new arrivals (AFP/Getty)

My father asks whether you can take us to the Greek side,” the eight-year-old girl said, translating from Arabic to Turkish. Her wishful smile hid her family’s misery, along with that of countless others camped at Doyran in Turkey, next to the border with Greece.

Next to her stood a clean-cut young man, and beside her, on the dirt, sat a tiny woman, knees curled up around her overcoat, tightly holding a toddler. She avoided eye contact. Her 11-year-old son followed the conversation in Turkish.

There was a wave of excitement when Turkey announced on 28 February that its borders would be unsealed to nearly 4 million displaced Syrians and other refugees, should they wish to cross into Europe.