This report analyzes the complex relationship between Kilis province in Turkey and Afrin district in Syria prior to 2010, focusing on how the border's historical creation after the Ottoman Empire's fall impacted the areas. It details the distinct demographic profiles of Kilis, a mixed province, and Afrin, a largely Kurdish area, highlighting the legacy of the border's imposition, particularly for the Kurdish population. The text then explores cross-border interactions, including the long-standing prevalence of smuggling and the significant increase in formal economic and social ties during the Turkish-Syrian political rapprochement of the 2000s. Ultimately, it presents a picture of a borderland shaped by division, demographic difference, informal trade, and a unique decade of cooperation before the Syrian conflict dramatically altered the region.
Note: This was made with AI research and AI audio output, and does not conform to academic standards. However, sources are confirmed as genuine.
This page was created on: April 30, 2025 and last updated: