'No work, no money': Bleak prospects await 

Syrians returned to Turkey
A man leans on a damaged car in Kilis on 25 April, a day after rockets hit the border town (AFP)

Critics suggest Angela Merkel's visit to a camp for refugees near Gaziantep did not reflect the real problems facing Syrians in Turkey (AFP)

Lizzie Porter-27 April 2016

BAB AL-SALAMA BORDER CROSSING, Turkey - At the Syrian border, Khaled wore an immaculate red and blue checked shirt, the collar pressed to crisp perfection as he stood proudly next to his family.

“Life in the camp is easier, better and safer than if we were in town,” said the former construction labourer from Idlib province, referring to nearby Kilis which has recently been targeted by rockets fired from Islamic State (IS) group-held territory a few kilometres away.

From Khaled's home in the Oncupinar refugee camp, the thump of bombs and the clap of fire can be heard from across the Bab al-Salama border crossing.

On the horizon, smoke can be seen resulting from what Kilis locals say are Turkish retaliation attacks on IS rocket launchers in Syria.

At least 18 people, including four children, have died in the attacks, which have also stoked resentment among locals towards the Syrian refugees who now outnumber them.

“I used to try to work a few days a week but it dried up. The overall situation is good for us but Kilis is not safe,” said Khaled.

Khaled can expect new neighbours in coming weeks: Syrians returned from Europe under a controversial European Union deal struck with Ankara.

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