Riots Break Out in Turkey as Anti-Syrian Protests Escalate across Multiple Cities

In a disturbing turn of events, anti-Syrian riots have erupted in Turkey, spreading to several cities and resulting in violent protests. The unrest, which began in response to allegations of a Syrian man sexually harassing a young girl, has escalated to the point where shops and buildings have been set on fire.

One particularly shocking incident took place in the southern province of Hatay, where protesters set fire to a Syrian grocery store. In Kayseri, cars were overturned in the chaos that ensued.

These violent protests come at a time when anti-refugee sentiment in Turkey has been on the rise, with over three and a half million Syrians currently residing in the country. The tensions have reached a boiling point, leading to dangerous and destructive confrontations between Syrian immigrants and local residents.

Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu is on the ground in Istanbul, providing updates on the ongoing unrest and shedding light on the underlying issues fueling these violent protests. As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to address the root causes of the anti-Syrian sentiment and work towards finding peaceful resolutions to prevent further escalation of violence.