Afghan refugees trapped in Syria’s Idlib after being deported by Turkey

Though Turkish officials have on several occasions denied deporting refugees, the Afghans are not the only foreigners that have been deported to Idlib by Turkey.

Last year, Turkish authorities deported nine Iranians to northern Syria, after they claimed to be Syrians while trying to cross into Europe.

Turkish troops are accused of directly targeting refugees trying to flee Idlib, with hundreds of deaths reported in recent years.

Although there is increasing hostility towards Syrians in Turkey, some foreign refugees and migrants there claim to be Syrian thinking it will win them sympathy of the authorities and the local community.