17.11.2025 20:16
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the total number of foreigners with legal residence rights in Turkey is 3 million 615 thousand 491. Among these individuals, 2 million 381 thousand 326 are Syrians under temporary protection. Yerlikaya also stated that since 2016, 1 million 297 thousand 705 Syrians have voluntarily returned to their home country, and in the last year, the pace of returns has accelerated, with 557 thousand 702 people returning to Syria.
The TBMM Planning and Budget Commission convened for the Ministry of Interior's 2026 Central Government Budget Proposal and the 2024 Final Account Law Proposal. It was noteworthy that some CHP deputies attended the meeting with banners reading "Freedom for İmamoğlu," featuring a visual of the suspended İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu. Some deputies did not shake hands with Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
NUMBER OF SYRIANS IN TURKEY
In his presentation, Yerlikaya shared current data on the foreign population in Turkey, stating that as of October 31, 2025, the number of foreigners with legal residence rights is 3 million 615 thousand 491. Of these individuals, 2 million 381 thousand 326 are Syrians under temporary protection, 1 million 85 thousand 40 are residence permit holders, and 149 thousand 125 are individuals under international protection.
"WE PREVENT CRIME BEFORE IT OCCURS WITH RISK MAPS"
Yerlikaya stated that they have transitioned to a proactive period in security policies, emphasizing that AI-supported risk maps play a significant role in preventing crime before it occurs, saying, "We are now implementing a system that acts, predicts, and prevents before an incident happens, rather than after it has occurred." Minister Yerlikaya also noted that the 2026 budget is 1 trillion 476 billion TL.
DECREASE IN PUBLIC ORDER AND CRIME RATES
Yerlikaya expressed that there has been a significant improvement in public order indicators in 2025 compared to 2024, stating that there has been a 7.8% decrease in crimes against individuals and a 22.6% decrease in crimes against property.
A REMARKABLE DECREASE IN THEFT INCIDENTS:
- In the first 10 months of 2024: 64 thousand 898 thefts
- In the first 10 months of 2025: a 37.4% decrease → 24 thousand 300 fewer incidents
He also mentioned that 166 thousand 692 wanted individuals were apprehended during the year, many of whom were wanted for theft, fraud, terrorism, and intentional homicide.
OVER 90 THOUSAND WEAPONS SEIZED
Recalling that special teams were established to combat unlicensed firearms, Yerlikaya stated that in the last 10 months:
- 41 thousand 750 of which were unlicensed handguns
- 90 thousand 574 weapons were seized
- Actions were taken against 99 thousand 327 individuals.
HISTORICAL RECORD IN RESPONSE TIME
Yerlikaya stated that the response time to incidents has reached its fastest level historically. He noted that the response rates to incidents have significantly increased, with police responding in 3 minutes and gendarmerie in 6 minutes. He emphasized that the body camera application has also provided transparency in security services.
DECREASING TREND IN VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Yerlikaya explained that progress has been made in combating violence against women thanks to technological tracking systems.
- In the first 10 months of 2024: 290 femicides
- In the first 10 months of 2025: 217 femicides
After stating that this figure represents a 25.2% decrease, he emphasized that this is not just a statistic but a societal wound. He mentioned that 1,556 cases are actively monitored in the Electronic Monitoring Center across 67 provinces, and thousands of protective and preventive measures are being implemented.
TERRORISM AND ORGANIZED CRIME OPERATIONS
In 2025:
- 552 criminal organizations were dismantled,
- 6 thousand 788 organization members were arrested,
- Assets worth 76 billion TL were confiscated.
Data regarding the capture of those wanted with red notices was also shared: 395 foreigners were apprehended in Turkey, including 305 with red notices.
MAJOR DETECTION AND PREVENTION IN CYBER CRIMES
Minister Yerlikaya stated that through AI-supported analyses:
- 163 thousand 258 accounts/individuals were identified,
- 27 thousand 916 illegal betting sites,
- 39 thousand 685 web pages,
- 31 thousand 59 social media accounts were blocked.
He noted that these detections are rapidly transformed into operational processes.
NEW APPLICATIONS IN MIGRATION MANAGEMENT
Addressing migration policies, Yerlikaya stated that between July 19, 2023, and October 31, 2025, identity checks were conducted for 6 million 28 thousand 814 foreigners using mobile migration point vehicles. During these checks, 236 thousand 212 irregular migrants were identified. He mentioned that in 2024, in operational areas, 74.5 out of every 100 individuals were irregular migrants, and this rate dropped to 1.4 in 2025.
RETURN OF SYRIANS HAS ACCELERATED
With the developments in Syria, Yerlikaya expressed that the voluntary return process has accelerated, stating that:
- Between December 9, 2024, and November 12, 2025, 557 thousand 702 Syrians,
- Since 2016, a total of 1 million 297 thousand 705 Syrians have returned to their country.