Indigenous people and Syrians: A qualitative study in the framework of Altindağ events

The aim of this study is to learn the perceptions of local people living in the Ankara Altındağ region and Syrian immigrants about each other and to understand the underlying reasons for the growth of the Altındağ Incidents. Snowball sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used in the research. In this context, in-depth interviews were held with 20 Syrians, 13 Turks living in Önder Neighborhood and its surroundings, where the Altındağ Incidents took place, and 4 professionals working in that region. The data collected with the personal information form and semi-structured interview form were analyzed with the help of the MAXQDA program. The research data consists of 4 main themes "Syrians' Experiences in Turkey", "Evaluations on the Altındağ Incidents", "Thoughts and Perceptions of the Two Peoples About Each Other" and "Suggestions on Living Together", 12 sub-themes, and 36 categories. The arrival of Syrian migrants in the Altındağ region has led to increased commercial competition between locals and Syrians. Syrians have begun to be hired in place of Turks, and there has been an increase in rent prices. Additionally, despite the presence of needy Turks in the area, aid has been extended to Syrians, leaving locals feeling marginalized. This situation has created a hierarchical power struggle in the region, laying the foundation for the Altındağ Incidents. On the other hand, the fact that young people did not continue their education and did not receive enough attention from their families contributed to their involvement in crime. The fact that the local people and Syrian immigrants lived in the same area but did not interact with each other led to the emergence of prejudices and negative thoughts against each other. Provocateur groups took advantage of these prejudices and hostilities, which caused the Altındağ incidents to grow. In addition, the representations of Syrian immigrants as "scapegoats" in the media, various disinformation, and prejudices have also negatively affected the local population towards Syrians in general. All these factors combined have created an anti-immigrant sentiment. Based on the data obtained, suggestions have been made from a social services perspective in order to improve the opinions of the two peoples towards each other, to eliminate the factors that disrupt the relations between the two peoples, and to prevent the recurrence of incidents like the Altındağ Incidents.