Afghans in Turkey
Encyclopedia
Afghan
s in Turkey
literally number in the thousands and are overwhelmingly made up of recent illegal migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
invited 4000 and 2200 Afghans of Turkish origin
back to Turkey in 1982 and 1983 respectively. However, no proper records were kept during the period and due to the obscure state of irregular migration to Turkey, maintaining accurate statistics of Afghan migration has been difficult. It is suggested that many of the Afghans who had Turkish origins lived in a manner quite similar to Iraqi Turkmens, thereby integrating easily by making use of previously created networks. In 2002, an article by the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet
claimed there were "thousands" of Afghans living throughout the country.
. In 2005, refugees from Afghanistan numbered 300 and made a sizeable proportion of Turkey's registered migrants. Most of them were spread out over satellite cities with Van
and Ağrı
being the most specific locations. In the following years, the number of Afghans entering Turkey greatly increased, second only to migrants from Iraq; in 2009, there were 16,000 people designated under the Iraq-Afghanistan category. Despite a dramatic 50 percent reduction by 2010, reports confirmed hundreds living and working in Turkey. As of January 2010, Afghans consisted one-sixth of the 26,000 remaining refugees and asylum seekers. By the end 2011, their numbers are expected to surge up to 10,000, making them the largest population and surpass other groups.
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
s in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
literally number in the thousands and are overwhelmingly made up of recent illegal migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
History
Afghan migration to Turkey dates back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, when incumbent president Kenan EvrenKenan Evren
Ahmet Kenan Evren was the seventh President of Turkey; a post he assumed by leading the 1980 military coup. He was also the last president to be born in the Ottoman Empire.- Biography :...
invited 4000 and 2200 Afghans of Turkish origin
Turks in Afghanistan
Turks in Afghanistan are Turkish people who live in Afghanistan. The majority are recent arrivals and are involved in construction companies.-See also:*Afghanistan–Turkey relations*Armenians in Afghanistan*Indians in Afghanistan*Pakistanis in Afghanistan...
back to Turkey in 1982 and 1983 respectively. However, no proper records were kept during the period and due to the obscure state of irregular migration to Turkey, maintaining accurate statistics of Afghan migration has been difficult. It is suggested that many of the Afghans who had Turkish origins lived in a manner quite similar to Iraqi Turkmens, thereby integrating easily by making use of previously created networks. In 2002, an article by the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet
Hürriyet
-External links:* * ** * *...
claimed there were "thousands" of Afghans living throughout the country.
Recent migration
Afghans are one of the largest irregular migrant groups in Turkey. From the period 2003-2007, the number of Afghans apprehended were significant, with statistics almost doubling during the last year. Most had fled the War in AfghanistanWar in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
. In 2005, refugees from Afghanistan numbered 300 and made a sizeable proportion of Turkey's registered migrants. Most of them were spread out over satellite cities with Van
Van, Turkey
Van is a city in southeastern Turkey and the seat of the Kurdish-majority Van Province, and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city's official population in 2010 was 367,419, but many estimates put this as much higher with a 1996 estimate stating 500,000 and former Mayor Burhan...
and Ağrı
Agri
Agri may refer to:* As shorthand or prefix referring to agriculture* Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development * Azerbaijan–Georgia–Romania Interconnector * Ağrı, a city in eastern Turkey* the Agri in southern Italy...
being the most specific locations. In the following years, the number of Afghans entering Turkey greatly increased, second only to migrants from Iraq; in 2009, there were 16,000 people designated under the Iraq-Afghanistan category. Despite a dramatic 50 percent reduction by 2010, reports confirmed hundreds living and working in Turkey. As of January 2010, Afghans consisted one-sixth of the 26,000 remaining refugees and asylum seekers. By the end 2011, their numbers are expected to surge up to 10,000, making them the largest population and surpass other groups.
See also
- Afghanistan–Turkey relations
- Embassy of Afghanistan, Ankara
- Pakistanis in TurkeyPakistanis in TurkeyThere is a small community of Pakistanis in Turkey, consisting mainly of expatriates and students. There are many Pakistani students studying in Turkish university and colleges. There are also large number of long-term and short-term economic migrants from Pakistan in Turkey that have travelled...
- Turks in AfghanistanTurks in AfghanistanTurks in Afghanistan are Turkish people who live in Afghanistan. The majority are recent arrivals and are involved in construction companies.-See also:*Afghanistan–Turkey relations*Armenians in Afghanistan*Indians in Afghanistan*Pakistanis in Afghanistan...