Interior Minister Yerlikaya: Significant increase in returns to Syria

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya made important statements following the "Türkiye's Peace Meeting" held at the Zafer Development Agency in Kütahya. Yerlikaya stated that Kütahya holds significance not only for its cultural and historical values, but also for the lands that hosted the Dumlupınar Victory and the nation's will for independence. Yerlikaya stated that the epic written on the night from August 29th to 30th sealed the Turkish nation's independence, and he stated that they remain on the ground with the same determination today.

Yerlikaya emphasized that they continue their work under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, guided by the ideal of a great and powerful Turkey . He stated that they are building a security approach that is people-centered, consistent with democratic values, and based on the rule of law. He added that their primary focus is stopping evil at its source and bringing criminals to justice.

Yerlikaya stated that August 30th was not merely a military victory but the pinnacle of national consciousness, emphasizing that the gates opened by Sultan Alp Arslan at Malazgirt were sealed at Dumlupınar under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He described a terror-free Türkiye as a new epic written with the prayers of millions.

Yerlikaya also provided information about the voluntary return of Syrians. He stated that Türkiye's migration management is a model for the world, with a humanitarian approach and rational perspective. He explained that voluntary returns have increased since December 8, 2024, and that since the liberation of Syria, 450,169 Syrians have returned to their country safely, honorably, and regularly. He noted that the total number of Syrians who have voluntarily returned is 1,190,172.

He announced that the number of Syrians under temporary protection, which was 3,535,898 in 2022, dropped to 2,506,740 as of August 2025. He stated that voluntary returns will continue with increasing stability in Syria.

Sharing figures on security activities in Kütahya, Yerlikaya stated that the number of incidents in 10 major crimes against persons decreased by 4.5 percent compared to the same period last year. He also announced that the detection rate had reached 100 percent. He noted that crimes against property had decreased by 14.4 percent, and that the detection rate for these crimes was also above the national average.

He announced that four organized crime gangs had been dismantled in Kütahya, 30 people had been arrested, and judicial control measures had been imposed on 12. He added that 82,176 people had been arrested during his cabinet term as part of the fight against drugs, and judicial control measures had been implemented on approximately 40,000 people. He also stated that 15,000 body cameras were being used in patrols and that this technology would be expanded nationwide.

As part of his contacts in the city, Yerlikaya visited the Kütahya Governor's Office, tradesmen and the AK Party Provincial Headquarters.