The Oncupinar and Cilvegozu border gates in Hatay Province were initially closed on March 9, after clashes in northern Syria. While aid trucks have since been allowed to cross the border, individuals have not.
An anonymous intelligence official told the New York Times that the decision to close the crossings was based on “solid intelligence about a large-scale terrorist attack”.
The decision is a policy reversal for a country that has been praised for its open-door stance towards refugees. The country hosts over 2 million Syrian refugees - more than any other country in the world.