Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 06/2014

The Rising Costs of Turkey's Syrian Quagmire

April 2014

International Crisis Group

Abstract

In its latest report, The Rising Costs of Turkey’s Syrian Quagmire, the International Crisis Group examines the country’s humanitarian efforts toward Syrians both on its territory and in northern Syria; the tension between its public’s sympathy for and unease toward the refugees; the extent of Ankara’s support to Syria’s political and military opposition; and its regional role in finding a compromise solution to the conflict. The three-year crisis has taken its toll on Turkey, which hosts more than 720,000 refugees and has suffered over 75 fatalities of its own in spillover fighting. Many Syrians will remain for years, and if Turkey is to maintain an open-door policy, it needs more international support in providing for them.