The fury of Turkish citizens over the crackdown of the Syrian army’s in the restless city Hama, where the death toll exceeds 150 people so far, is pressuring the Turkish government to take swift action to stop the bloodshed and tragedy in neighbouring Syria.

“I find Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s actions utterly wrong and immoral. He is a tyrant. We are like brothers with the Syrians. I am very furious to see tanks rolling into the streets of Hama, murdering civilians,” said Emin Yıldırım (53), owner of a shoe store in the thriving Balgat district of the Turkish capital, Ankara. “I do pray that the situation gets better for Syrians,” he added.

Human rights groups estimate the death toll of an unexpected assault that started before dawn on Sunday to be in the hundreds. The number of confirmed deaths is about 150, though the causalities are expected to increase further. Turkey shares an 800-kilometer border with Syria and hosts thousands of refugees who fled from Syrian army operations in restive towns. They have been recently visited by Angelina Jolie, an ambassador of good will for United Nations.

Syrian Protests find support in Turkey

The response of the Turkish government and human rights organizations was harsh, with President Abdullah Gül stating on Monday that the country “could not remain silent” in the face of violence perpetrated during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Others hold the Baath Party responsible for the killing of civilians. “I blame the Baath Party in Syria for these atrocities,” 59-year-old Sezai Nohut from the southern city of Fethiye said. The Baath Party, under Assad family control, has been ruling Syria since 1970.

Turkey Syria : Sharing borders, traditions and culture

There was also growing fury towards the UN, the US and the EU for not taking action to stop the Syrian crackdown. Some Turks believe the Western powers’ lack of involvement in Syria is because the country does not possess lucrative oil reserves.

“The atrocities will continue and world powers will stand by idly because there is no oil in Syria. Look at Libya and Iraq, where Western powers took immediate action. They are hypocrites, and that makes me angry,” stated Mustafa Öz, a 42-year-old employee at a pharmacy in Balgat. Öz’s emotions were also shared by Feridun Demirezen (46), who works in the photography studio next door. “It is all about the oil,” he said, stressing that he supports the efforts of the Turkish government. “At least the Turkish government is doing it for humanitarian reasons,” Demirezen added. Mahmut Satruk, owner of a barber nearby added immediatly, claiming that turkish government are the true hypocrites, as they only do what USA tells them to do.

The younger Turks are much more pessimistic about finding a peaceful result to the unrest in neighboring Syria. They are also angrier. “I am furious,” says Birsen Yalçın, a 25-year-old student in Ankara. “I am also pessimistic,” she adds, expressing her frustration for the Western powers’ lack of action including her countrys as well. Many young Turks also blame turkish government for its lack of initiative against tyranny in Syria, a country known for hosting terrorists for certain periods of time.

 

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