Majority in Turkey against war with Syria: Opinion poll

A recent opinion poll has revealed that more than 75 percent of the Turkish people are against a war with neighboring Syria.

The opinion poll was conducted by Metropol, an agency close to the Turkish government, and surveyed 3,000 respondents.

Analysts believe that this majority is increasing further and there is a sharp mismatch between the government’s policies and the Turkish public opinion.

This comes as massive anti-war protests have taken place in many Turkish cities during the past weeks.

The row between Turkey and Syria escalated after Ankara held Damascus responsible for a mortar shell that killed five civilians in the southeastern town of Akcakale on October 3.

Ankara promptly responded with retaliatory fire that continued through the next days, and Turkish lawmakers also authorized the government to use military force against Syria when it deemed necessary.

Tensions have been running high between Syria and Turkey, with Damascus accusing Turkey along with Saudi Arabia and Qatar of backing a deadly insurgency that has claimed the lives of many Syrians, including security and army personnel.

Turkey has beefed up its military presence on its border with Syria over the past weeks, stationing tanks, anti-aircraft missiles, and additional troops in the area.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on October 9 that Turkey’s armed forces would not hesitate to strike back in response to any attack on the Turkish soil after Turkey’s parliament authorized cross-border military action against Syria “when deemed right” On October 4.