„Kapıköy“, the border crossing between Turkey and Iran, which is located nearly 100 km from the Turkish city of Van, is one of the places where the impact of the exchange of air strikes between Iran and Israel and the US on ordinary citizens can be seen, BTA reported.
Since February 28, the eyes of journalists, photographers, taxi drivers and minibus drivers have been fixed on the doors with the inscriptions „Arrivals“ waiting for people from Iran. Turkish authorities have not yet published official statistics on how many there are, but in unofficial conversations, border guards report that if from February 27 to March 1, 1,200 people arrived, then yesterday, March 2, their number increased to 2,000 people, provided that one-day passenger crossings, which include short-term trips without sleeping in the country visited and a stay of no more than one day, were suspended.
In the lunch hours, more and more people with suitcases in hand begin to emerge from the entrance to Turkey. Mostly young people and students. Others have not forgotten to take the things that are important to them. Like an elderly man, wrapped a stringed musical instrument in a black plastic bag. The women with scarves on their shoulders or in their hands also make a strong impression. After leaving Iran, they are no longer on their hair, as they are obliged to wear them in their home country.
Most avoid standing in front of journalists and cameras, but those who still want to tell where they come from and why speak Turkish and English well. Tehran and Tabriz are the most frequently mentioned names of cities, the desire to be in a safer place - the most common reason, and questions about the political situation in Iran and their future plans - the most avoided ones.
Next comes the meeting with the drivers and their offers for transportation. A taxi to Van and the city airport costs 5,000 Turkish liras (about 100 euros), and a minibus - 350 Turkish liras (about 7 euros). The cheaper option is clearly more preferable. Military and gendarmerie patrol the road from the border to the provincial town. There are also two checkpoints where everyone must get off with their suitcase.
Against this background, although fewer, there are also those who want to return to Iran. Today, among them was a group of workers who had lost contact with their loved ones. And others, who had set off for Tehran, were of the opinion that now was the right time to return to show unity.
There were no humanitarian organizations, volunteers or institutions on “Kapıköy“ that to provide support to those arriving from Iran. And their direction after Van remained unclear.