By Esin Isik
ANKARA (AA) – Turkish intelligence apprehended suspects who made provocations against the Turkish flag in northern Syria, security sources said on Friday.
A 17-year-old suspect who attacked the Turkish flag in Al Bab, Syria, was caught as a result of the efforts of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Turkish forces are present in northern Syria, near Türkiye’s southern frontier, as part of an anti-terrorist force working to keep safe both locals and Turkish nationals across the border.
The suspect reportedly apologized in front of the Turkish flag, kissing it and saying: "I attacked the Turkish flag, I regret it very much, I apologize to the Turkish people."
Two other suspects who took part in the provocations against Türkiye apologized to the Turkish people in their statements.
Security forces started an operation to catch those who instigated the suspect.
Provocations targeting Türkiye took place in northern Syria following incidents against refugees in Türkiye’s Kayseri province and some other provinces on June 30.
When a Syrian national was arrested for sexually abusing a 7-year-old in Kayseri, the incident sparked outrage among residents, leading to violence and social media negativity against Syrians, about 4 million of whom are hosted in Türkiye due to the civil war in their country.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar