Securitizing the Syrian Refugee Crisis in Türkiye: Economic, Social, and Political Impacts Through the Lens of the Copenhagen School

Throughout history, wars and conflicts have led to large-scale forced migration movements, causing various economic, social, and political problems in the countries receiving migrants. The Middle East is one of the regions where such forced migrations have frequently occurred. The Arab Spring, which began in Tunisia in 2010 and rapidly spread across the region, triggered a civil war in Syria in 2011. As a result of this conflict, millions of Syrians were forced to leave their country and sought refuge primarily in neighboring states, with Türkiye hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees under its “open-door policy.” However, this policy soon led to serious economic, social, and political challenges and provoked diverse reactions within the public sphere. This study examines how the Syrian refugee crisis has been securitized in Türkiye through economic, social, and political dynamics within the framework of the Copenhagen School. Focusing on the period 2011–2024, it argues that the increasing economic burden, social tensions, and political transformations have contributed to the construction of refugees as security threats. The study reveals that Türkiye’s initial humanitarian approach gradually evolved into a security-oriented perspective as the crisis became protracted.