HATAY
Syrian citizens, who escaped from the violence in their country, have been staying in Turkey's southern Hatay city for one year.
252 Syrians had crossed in Turkey via Yayladagi town of Hatay one year ago, and began to stay in tent sites set up by Red Crescent.
Sheikh Tariq, who had entered Turkey on April 29, 2011, told AA on Sunday that they had been living well in the tent camp for one year.
Tariq said that all of their needs had been met, and they had been staying in Turkey peacefully.
Noting that nothing had changed in Syria within one year, Tariq said that everything went worse in his country, and massacre was increasing each day.
We wish the violence will end soon so that we can return to our country peacefully, he said.
Tariq thanked Turkish officials as they hosted Syrian citizens for one year.
According to Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD), the number of Syrians staying in Turkey after fleeing violence in their country stood at 23,343 as of April 25.
Up until today, 39,910 Syrian citizens entered Turkey.
Currently, 7,148 Syrians are staying in Hatay province, 5,739 in Gaziantep province (Nurdagi-Islahiye), 9,627 in Kilis province and 780 in Sanliurfa province.
(Reporting by Erdal Turkoglu)
