Syrian Circassians

Report No: 130, November 2012

SURİYE ÇERKESLERİ

CENTER FOROrtadoğu MIDDLE Stratejik EASTERN Araştırmalar STRATEGIC MerkeziSTUDIES ORTADOĞUCenter for STRATEJİK Mıddle Eastern ARAŞTIRMALAR Strategıc MERKEZİ Studıes مركز الشرق األوسط للدراسات االستراتيجية

Mithatpaşa Caddesi 46/6 Kızılay-ANKARA Phone: 0 (312) 430 26 09 Fax: 0 (312) 430 39 48 www.orsam.org.tr, [email protected] ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS

SURİYE ÇERKESLERİ

ORSAM Report No: 130

November 2012

ISBN: 978-605-4615-26-1

Ankara - TURKEY ORSAM © 2012 Content of this report is copyrighted to ORSAM. Except reasonable and partial quotation and exploitation under the Act No. 5846, Law on Intellectual and Artistic Works, via proper citation, may not be used or re-published without prior permission by opinion of ORSAM. Strategıc Informatıon Management and ORSAM Indepentdent Thought Productıon center for mıddle eastern strategıc studıes

CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

History In Turkey, the shortage of research on the Middle East grew more conspicuous than ever during the early 90’s. Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM) was established in Janu- ary 1, 2009 in order to provide relevant information to the general public and to the foreign policy community. The institute underwent an intensive structuring process, beginning to con- centrate exclusively on Middle affairs.

Outlook on the Middle Eastern World It is certain that the Middle East harbors a variety of interconnected problems. However, neither the Middle East nor its people ought to be stigmatized by images with negative connota- tions. Given the strength of their populations, Middle Eastern states possess the potential to activate their inner dynamics in order to begen peaceful mobilizations for development. Respect for people’s willingness to live together, respect for the sovereign right of states and respect for basic human rights and individual freedoms are the prerequisities for assuring peace and tranquility, both domesticalhly and internationally. In this context, Turkey must continue to make constructive contributions to the establishment of regional stability and prosperity in its vicinity.

ORSAM’s Think-Tank Research ORSAM, provides the general public and decision-making organizations with enlightening information about international politics in order to promote a healtier understanding of international policy issues and to help them to adopt appropriate positions. In order to present effective solutions, ORSAM supports high quality research by intellectuals and researchers that are com- petent in a variety of disciplines. ORSAM’s strong publishing capacity türansmits meticulous analyses of regional developments and trends to the interested parties. With its web site, its books, reports, and periodicals, ORSAM supports the development of Middle Eastern literature on a national and international scale. ORSAM supports the development of Middle Eastern literature on a national and international scala. ORSAM facilitates the sharing of knowledge and ideas with the Turkish and international communities by inviting statesmen, bureaucrats, academics, strategicts, businessmen, journalists, and NGO representatives to Turkey.

www.orsam.org.tr Prof. Dr. Anzor Kushabiyev

He is the Head of the Department of Information and Document Management at the Institute of Social Research within Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Naima Neflyasheva

Naima Neflyasheva was born in Maykop, capital of the Republic of Adygea affiliated to the Russian Federation. Graduated from St. Petersburg State University, Neflyasheva is Associate Professor of History. She works as a senior scholar at the Center for Civi- lizational and Regional Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. Her scientific areas of interest are listed as follows: Islamic History in Northwestern Cau- casus, Current Islam in Caucasus, “Circassian problem”. She has more than 100 studies published in the Russian Federation as well as in foreign scientific publications. She runs a blog entitled “Severnıy Kavkaz skvoz stoletiya” (North Caucasus Through Centuries) on a website called “Kavkazski Uzel”.

Murat Topçu

He graduated from department of Russian Language and Literature, Faculty of Litera- ture, Istanbul University. He is doing his doctorate in the same department. He has carried out studies and translated works on Russian language and literature, Caucasian history, ethnography, languages and politics. His various articles were published in At- las Magazine. Some of his published translations can be listed as follows: “Vatanından Uzaklara Çerkesler”, Editor, Chiviyazıları, İstanbul 2004. “Hedefini Kendi Bulan Nart Tlepş’in Oku” (Stories), Asker Hadağatle, KAFDAV, Ankara 2005. “Kafkasya–Dağlı Halkların Göçü ve Kısa Tarihi”, Adolf Berje, Chiviyazıları, İstanbul, 2010.

Oytun Orhan

Completing his undergraduate education in Gazi University F.E.A.S. Department of In- ternational Relations, Orhan did his master’s degree in Hacettepe University Depart- ment of International Relations by writing his thesis entitled, “Identity’s Effect on Syria’s Regional Policies (1946-2000). Orhan still continues his doctorate studies in Abant İzzet Baysal University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of International Relations. Working as an expert within the Middle East Research Programme of the Center for Eurasian Strategic Studies (ASAM) between the years 1999-2009, Oytun Orhan has been working as a researcher in the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORS- AM) since 2009. PRESENTATION

The events in Syria have increasingly been going on since March 2011. The world is striving to find a solution for Syrian crisis. Nevertheless, unfortunately nobody has a solution offer with high chance of success and with definite instruments. Ethnic and sectarian splits constitute one of the most important aspects of the conflict.

The extension of the instability in Syria over a long period of time and a wide area scares most the minorities. The minorities think that they are open to attack and that they cannot protect themselves. Besides, the experiences taking place in the Middle Eastern countries hit by the wave of uprising increase the concerns. Therefore, minorities try not to take sides in the conflict taking place in Syria.

Another community which is concerned about the developments in Syria is the Syrian Circassians. According to various information, currently there are 90 thousand to 100 thousand Circassians, most of whom live in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs in Syria. Circassians arrived in Syria during the first half of the 19th century as they were exiled in the aftermath of the Great Caucasian War, during the mid-1860s as a part of the settlement process of Circassians in the Ottoman Empire. The Circassian immigration into current Syrian territories continued until the beginning of 1920s. Having an effective position in social, cultural and political life of Syria in the past, Circassians are currently an important component of the Syrian society as well. However, due to the recent developments, certain Syrian Circassians applied for the Russian Federation to help them return to their historical homeland as Syria is on the verge of a civil war. As from early 2012, Syrian Circassians started to settle in the Republics of Adygea, Kabardino-Balkar and Karachay- !"#$%&

We hope that the conflicts in Syria come to an end with minimum loss as soon as possible. Ho- pefully the ancient communities of Syria live together in peace also in the future just like in the past. So that Syrian Circassians do not have to leave their country, of which they have become a part, for a long period of time. We hope that this study we prepared as ORSAM be considered as a reference on Syrian Circassians and contribute to the formation of a public opinion on this subject in Turkey. We extend our thanks to those who contributed to preparation of this study.

Hasan Kanbolat ORSAM Director

4 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 Contents

Presentation ...... 4

Abstract...... 7

Introduction ...... 8

1. Circassians in the Middle East ...... 8

2. History of Syrian Circassians ...... 9

3. The Current Presence of Circassians in Syria: Transformation Era ...... 18

4. Popular Uprising in Syria and Circassians ...... 19

5. Aid Eﬀorts for Syrian Circassians ...... 21

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 5

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 ORSAM

ORSAM

By: Prof. Dr. Anzor Kushabiyev CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES Dr. Naima Neflasheva Murat Topçu Oytun Orhan, ORSAM Middle East Specialist

SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS

Abstract

Circassians came to Syria in mid-1860s due to the fact that they were exiled during and after the Caucasus-Russian War as well as due to the settlement policy of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman administration had several goals in creating Circassian settlements here. The administration made use of the uncultivated lands with Circassians, who had higher agricultural techniques compared to the local people. The Ottoman Empire benefited from Circassians, who had strong military tradition, against the rising independence movements of Druses who posed a problem for İstanbul. The number of Muslim population within the Ottoman Empire increased due to Circassians. Circassians were settled in places near the Hejaz railway route planned to constructed, and thus the security of the railway was strived to be provided. For similar reasons, Circassians were settled in the areas with stream beds such as the Golan Heights, and thus these areas were secured.

The settlement of Circassians into Syria took place in two stages: Directly from North Cauca- sus, and from Balkans. In mid-1860s one of the first groups arriving from North Caucasus were settled in northern Syria, in Marash sanjak, and they were charges with ‘surveilling’ the Zeytun district where Armenians lived. Afterwards, in 1872 approximately a thousand Circassians were settled in the the neighborhood of Hama and Homs, as well as in the Golan Heights within the borders of the Sanjak of Hauran.

The Circassian immigration from the North Caucasus into Syria continued until the early 1920s if at a small scale. Circassians were mostly settled in the Golan Heights, Transjordan, Hama, Homs and Aleppo. The villages such as Amman, Jerash, Kuneitra and Mumbuc they created grew bigger and turned into cities in time. The last group of Circassian immigrants arrived after the World War II.

Today, there are 90 thousand to 100 thousand Circassians, most of whom live in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs in Syria. The Circassian people are a part of the Syrian society. Until recently the traditional occupation of Circassians was military service. Both during the Ottoman period and French mandate as well as during the independence periods, their traditional loyalty to the government created the image for Circassians that they are law-abiding and loyal Syrian citizens. Successful doctors, farmers, businessmen, civilian and military bureaucrats, politicians, scientists, authors and poets were brought up among Syrian Circassians. They do not have the same influence they had among military elites of Syria two decades ago.

Due to the recent developments, certain Syrian Circassians applied for the Russian Federati- on to help them returning to Northwestern Caucasus, which is their historical homeland, as Syria is on the verge of a civil war. However, Moscow has not taken a decision related to Syrian Circassians yet. As from early 2012, Syrian Circassians started to leave Syria and settle in the Republics of Adygea, Kabardino-Balkar and Karachay-Cherkessia in the Russian Federation; in Reyhanlı district of Hatay and İstanbul in Turkey; in Lebanon; in Jordan; and in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 7 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

Introduction events in Syria. Within this framework, first of all the settlement process of Circassians Since March 2012, the violence in Syria has in the Middle East and then in Syria will be been increasing with each passing day. While dealt with. In this section the exile process of the world strives to find a solution for Syrian Circassians from North Caucasus, the areas crisis, nobody can come up with a solution of- they settled in and their relations with other fer with high chance of success and with defi- groups will be discussed. In the following sec- nite instruments. One of the most important tion, there will be information on the current reason is the unsettled situation in Syria and geographical distribution of Syrian Circas- the fact that the Damascus administration sians, their demographic structure, economic and the opposition are all mixed both in so- life and cultures. The study will be concluded cial and geographic terms. with the section where how Syrian Circas- sians have been affected by the popular upris- Ethnic and sectarian splits constitute one of ing in Syria and what kind of attitude Circas- the most important aspects of the conflict. sians adopted is analyzed. The extension of the instability in Syria over a long period of time and a wide area scares 1. Circassians in the Middle East most the minorities. Because the minorities think that they are open to attack and that Circassians came out in Northwestern Cau- they cannot protect themselves. Besides, the casus in earliest times, and they lived in along experiences taking place in the Middle East- the Kuban river, its southern Black Sea cost- ern countries hit by the wave of uprising in- line on the southern p art, and on northern crease the concerns. Therefore, minorities try Caucasus Mountains from Anapa to Tuapse. not to take sides in the conflict taking place Actually the Circassian geographic name can in Syria. be seen all along the coastlines of Northwest- ern Caucasus and the Sea of Azov. On writ- Another community which is concerned ten sources, Circassian name is seen as of 13th about the developments in Syria is the Syrian century. Circassians.1Currently there are 90 thousand to 100 thousand Circassians, most of whom During and after the Caucasus-Russia War, live in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs in Syria. Circassian territories were invaded and colo- Circassians arrived in Syria during the first nized by the Tsardom of Russia. These ter- half of the 19th century as they were exiled ritories were called Kuban and Terek oblasts in the aftermath of the Great Caucasian War, until the end of the Tsardom of Russia. Nev- during the mid-1860s as a part of the settle- ertheless, according to the 1829 Edirne (Adri- ment process of Circassians in the Ottoman anopol) Agreement, the war attained another Empire. The Circassian immigration into cur- level as the Ottoman Empire left its fortresses rent Syrian territories continued until the be- on the Black Sea coastline to the Tsardom ginning of 1920s. Having an effective position of Russia, and Russia gained a legal basis on in social, cultural and political life of Syria in the international arena to invade Circassian the past, Circassians are currently an impor- territories. Losing the war, Circassians were tant component of the Syrian society as well. forced to leave their homeland. As a result, more than a million Circassians settled in Ot- However, the recent developments have toman territories. negatively been affecting Syrian Circassians. In this study, it is aimed to deal with Syrian During the Circassian Mamelukes period, Circassians from past to present which is not there were considerable amount of Circas- brought to agenda much while discussing the sians in garrisons in Syria which was under

8 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

the domination of Egypt. Those Circassians Jews. When the independence war of Israel continued their existence during the Otto- broke out, they took sides with Jews. They man Empire period as well. However, those joined the Israeli Defense Army, and fought who formed the Circassian diaspora in Syria against the Jordanian legion in Halil. today are the descendants of those who came to Syria as a result of the great exile in 19th 2. History of Syrian Circassians century, in 1864. Circassians arrived in Syria during mid-1860s as a result of the fact that The territories known as Syria were then they were exiled in the aftermath of Cauca- composed of Ottoman Empire’s Syria (Da- sus-Russia War and as a part of Circassians’ mascus), Aleppo and Beirut provinces, some settlement process in the Ottoman Empire. parts of Mosul province, sanjaks of Jerusalem and Lebanon. The province of Syria (Damas- The Ottoman Empire had several goals in cus) included current Syria, some parts of creating Circassian settlements. The admin- Lebanon and Jordan. The province of Aleppo istration made use of the uncultivated lands was composed of current northern Syria, the with Circassians, who had higher agricultur- Sanjak of Urfa, Antep and İskenderun dis- al techniques compared to the local people. tricts which are currently located in Turkey. They protected the Arab farmer settlements Current eastern Syria was included in the from the attacks of Arab nomads. The Otto- Deir ez-Zor governorate under the adminis- man Empire benefited from Circassians, who tration of Mosul province. The Sanjak of Je- had strong military tradition, against the ris- rusalem contained Southern Palestine, and ing independence movements of Druses who the Sanjak of Lebanon included interior high- posed a problem for İstanbul. The number of lands of present Lebanon. Muslim population within the Ottoman Em- pire increased due to Circassians. Circassians The settlement of Circassians into Syria took were settled in places near the Hejaz railway place in two stages: Directly from Northwest- route planned to constructed, and thus the ern Caucasus by land, and from Balkans by security of the railway was strived to be pro- sea. After 1864, one of the first groups arriving vided. For similar reasons, Circassians were from North Caucasus were settled in north- settled in the areas with stream beds such as ern Syria, in Marash sanjak, and they were the Golan Heights, and thus these areas were charged with ‘surveilling’ the Zeytun district secured. where Armenians lived. Afterwards, in 1872 approximately a thousand Circassians were During this period, several Circassian villages settled in the the neighborhood of Hama and were formed Palestine. There was a major Homs, as well as in the Golan Heights within the borders of the Sanjak of Hauran.2 In 1881 loss of population due to hard living condi- 800 Circassian families lived in 6 villages in tions, diseases and famine. A village (Raba the Sanjak of Marash.3 in the neighborhood of Keysariya) was dis- solved. Kfar-Kama (3000 people) and Rey- Between 1865 and 1866, 13.648 Chechens haniye (1000 people), which are currently were settled in small groups in Rasul-Ayn located in Israel, survived though. In 1920 in eastern Syria and on the borderline of the when the Great Britain established a new Sanjak of Diyarbakır, in order to stop the at- Arab State, Jordan, certain Circassians en- tacks of Bedouins and Kurds in the neigh- tered under the rule of emirate. Two villages borhood. Most of them were killed in local in Halil (Kfar-Kama ve Reyhaniye), on the conflicts and due to various diseases, and other hand, remained in Palestine under the some of them immigrated to other regions. mandate government; and were included in In 1880, approximately 5 thousand Chechens the Israeli borders in 1948. Circassians always remained in the neighborhood of Rasul-Ayn had a good relationship with both Arabs and in 1880.4

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 9 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

In 1872, some 1000 Circassians were settled grate from Balkans were put aside, and it was in the Golan Heights within the sanjak of only agreed that “Circassian troops would not Hauran and n the neighborhood of Hama and be resorted to in border garrisons”. So that, Homs. According to what elders say, firstly exiles were deprived of all kind of rights and they arrived in Samsun by ship, then came to guarantees to make life both by these states Uzunyayla (Kayseri-Sivas) and lastly arrived and the Ottoman Empire for the second time. in Syria. After the end of 1877-78 Ottoman-Russian The real migration wave of Circassians to War, insurgencies in Terek Oblast, Abkhazia Syria began following the 1877-78 Ottoman- and Daghistan exiled from North Caucasus Russian War (93 War) mainly from Europe- increased to a large extent. Some of these ex- an-Balkan territories of the Ottoman Empire. iles were sent to Syria and Palestine. Starting During the period of mass exile from North from the spring of 1878, Ottoman and Euro- Caucasus, many Circassians were settled in pean ships carrying Circassian exiles coming present Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cy- from Balkans and North Caucasus arrived in prus and Crete islands. According to official Syrian coastlines on a regular basis for two statistical information of the Tsardom of Rus- years. The exile took place under extremely sia, more than 150 thousand Circassians lived difficult conditions. After the exiles arrived, in Balkans in 1876. Some 90.000 of them lived they used sleep outdoors waiting to be pro- in Bulgaria. Circassians were settled in this vided a permanent place to live. Thousands area by the Ottoman Empire in order to fight of them died of starvation and contagious against the insurrections of the Christian diseases.5 In accordance with the Berlin people. During the uprising broke out in Bul- Agreement, the Ottoman government placed garia in 1876 and during the 1877-78 Otto- Circassians exiled from Balkans in Anatolia, man-Russian War, Circassian cavalries were Syria and Palestine. sent to the major front lines as they were one of the best troops of the Ottoman army. Some of the Circassian exiles got on board from Bulgaria and the Black Sea ports of Ro- During the Conference of European States mania and passed straits, while some others held in İstanbul on December 1876 – Janu- arrived in Aegean coastlines of Greece by ary 1877, the idea suggesting that Circas- land and got on board to go to eastern ports sians would be settled in Asian provinces of of Mediterranean. Then they arrived in hin- the Ottoman Empire was put forward. As the terlands of Syria by land. Russian army attacked, Circassians left their villages and took to the roads along with the In early spring of 1878, ships carrying the troops of the Ottoman army that withdrew. exiles to Syrian coasts started to arrive. Ac- Thus, the second exile began. According to cording to the statements of French Consul the decision taken by the Council of Russian General, 1000 Circassian arrived in the Port Command that convened in Plovdiv (Fli- of Beirut in early March 1878.6 On the oth- popol) on August 1878, all Muslim refugees er hand, according to the information sent who left their homes were entitled to return by the Russian Consul General in Aleppo to to Bulgaria. However, Circassians were ex- the Embassy in İstanbul; on March 1878, 20 empted from this right. Circassians, who thousand immigrants coming from North could not find time to leave Bulgaria by then, Caucasus and Crimea arrived in İskenderun, were settled “out of the Principality of Bul- one third of them died of diseases and fam- garia at the disposal of the local administra- ine, and the rest of them either returned to tion”. In Ayastefanos and Berlin Agreements, İstanbul or could not be heard of.7 Those Cir- the problem of Circassians who had to immi- cassian exiles were Abzekhs who used to live

10 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

in Adliye district of Bulgaria.8 Abzekhs were sian families shared the lands according to settled in the province of Aleppo. During the feudal military-manorial system, indepen- same period, another group coming from Bal- dently of their former social class (in return kans were settled in the Golan Heights in the for their military service). Sanjak of Hauran. The number of Circassians arriving in various ports of Syria reached 45 In late 1880s, the Circassian immigration into thousand by September 1878. Those who Syria still continued in less amounts though. were expected to come from Salonica and Both due to the conflicts with the neighbor- they were planned to be settled in the neigh- ing tribes and also due to the infertile lands, borhood of Nablus.9 Very few Circassians Circassians could not have pulled themselves were placed in city centers of Damascus and together. Exemption from ten years of tax and Aleppo. A neighborhood was created in Da- military service ended in 1888, and immi- mascus by those who arrived from Bulgaria grants who could not settle yet received a se- in 1878. vere blow by this situation; and it was followed by disorders that reach uprisings. İstanbul Mi- Circassians were mainly settled in the Golan gration Committee gave the authorization to Heights as a military line in Syria. The line ex- the authorities in Syria to meet the necessary tended across the Druse regions and formed a expenses for the settlement of Circassians kind of borderline with the Bedouin tribes. 13 from the committee account. Nevertheless, it villages were settled around the headquarter was only in 1902 that an aid committee was Kuneytra ranging from 4 to 17 km intervals. created in Damascus by order of the government in order to organize the settlement of Small groups of Circassians were sent from immigrants, to finance, to provide crop, ani- Batum and Kars, which were invaded by the mal and instruments, as well as to help with Tsardom of Russia following the 1877-78 Ot- house constructions. Due the reasons such toman-Russian war, to Syria. Also there were as the insufficiency of money and aid, their exiles directly arriving from North Caucasus. settlement in arid lands, the presence of the The Circassian exile started to decline in early committee in Damascus could not solve the 1880s. problem of Circassians either.

It is difficult to detect the accurate number of Circassian cavalcades were used against re- those who settled in Syria between the years bellious Bedouin tribes and in suppressing 1878-1880. The authority did not record the Druse insurgencies. They were effective in numbers, and furthermore the majority of suppressing the uprising that broke out in population died during the exile and after Kerake in 1893 and 1910. It was an obliga- they settled in the area. According to the in- tion for Circassians, who were settled in small formation provided by the Consul of Russia, groups among different ethnic groups acting more than 45 thousand Circassians were ex- hostile against them, to take part in the Otto- iled in the aforesaid period. Along with those man military force. who arrived beforehand, the number of Cir- cassians in Syria reached some 70 thousand. Circassians contributed to the economic de- The administration granted demesne land, in velopment of the regions they were settled other words from the state treasury, to Cir- in. They started to produce more developed cassians. The distribution was made accord- agricultural implements and wheeled vehi- ing to the following principles: a family with cles, and build stone houses and mills. They three people was granted with 70 decares of implemented developed traditional agricul- land, while a family with four-five people was tural techniques to a large extent. They grew granted with 130 decares of land. The Circas- new plants such as millet and oat. Living in

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 11 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

Syria and Palestine for a decade, the Russian tribe in the area on their very first day. First scientist A. Ruppin wrote those on this sub- of all armed conflicts took place between the ject: “Circassians brought along more devel- two parties. Then it was followed by a major oped agricultural implements, two massive raid carried out by Bedouins against Mansou- wooden wheeled and iron hooped wagons, ra, a Circassian village. The Ottoman admin- oat planting as well as a great order in house- istration took advantage of this situation and hold appliances from North Caucasus. Be- organized a banishment expedition on Bed- sides they were hardworking. They cleaned ouins. Following this expedition, Circassians their fields from stones. So that almost all of followed the tradition of blood revenge, and them reached a standard of living that might organized counterattack against the nomads. be considered as wealthy.” In their conflicts against Bedouins, Circas- From the very beginning, the Ottoman ad- sians had the edge over them in terms of war ministration started to recruit Circassians to skills and weapons. However, they fell be- administrative and military services, mainly hind Bedouins in number to a great extent. to the police department. A cavalry troop of Moreover, Circassian villages had to fight 300 Circassians was created in Amman. Mir- against two or more tribes at the same time. za Vasfi was the head of the troop. The cav- In Bedouin-Circassian conflicts, both parties alry troops consisting of the Circassian po- showed various hostile actions against one lice were deployed in Kuneytra, Aleppo, Jer- another. Immigrants let their cattle out in the ash and Kerak.10 The Circassian troops were fields of Circassians, and made them destroy charged with collecting taxes from the people, their crops. Sometimes Circassians confiscat- protecting main roads and most importantly ed those herds of cattle and prevented Bedou- fighting against the Bedouin tribes which ins from approaching water resources. did not bow to the government. The Circas- sian troops were organized in accordance Especially the Druse-Circassian conflict with the regular army system, they were re- caused by the land conflict became continu- inforced by those who skillfully use weapon, ous and bloody. Similar to Bedouins, Druses and constituted one of the best troops of the had been staking claim on the Golan Heights armed forces. The service in police depart- since old times. In the beginning, Druses were ment was considered equal to the service in satisfied with their reconnaissance actions the regular army. Circassian troops were used and with opening fire against the Circassian to suppress the insurgencies of Druses and villages. In 1881, they carried out a major raid city-dwellers. The assaults of Bedouin tribes against Circassians. Nevertheless, Druses against agricultural areas were prevented and failed in these raids. The Druse troop of 600 some of these tribes entered under the rule of people were defeated as a result of their raid government thanks to the Circassian troops. against the Mansoura village. It was followed by the raids of Circassian troops against the Bedouins, Druses, Kurds and Fellah Arabs Druse regions. Bloody conflicts continued considered the territories, which Circassians until 1889 when those two parties reached a accepted as a present from Sultan, as their peace agreement. own fields. The negotiations carried out to solve the conflicts did not succeed and the In 1894, a new conflict broke out. It was parties who were in disagreement took up caused by the attack of a Druse group along arms. with a sheep herd against a Circassian cou- ple. During the conflict a Circassian woman Circassians, who settled in the Golan Heights, was killed. According to the Circassian tradi- were attacked by the nomad Bedouin Fadl tions, murdering a woman was considered as

12 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM a felony. However, Circassian elders forbade the Consul of Russia, 88 Druses were killed the young people to take a revenge and they in this conflict. As for the loss of Circassians, applied for the district governor of Kuneytra on the other hand, 44 men, 4 women, 7 chil- to punish the criminals. They sent a delega- dren were killed and 4 people got wounded. tion to Druse sheikhs to investigate the afore- In the evening of the same day Husrev Pasha, said event. Sheikhs expressed their apologies Head of the police department of the prov- for the event and they stated they were ready ince, arrived in the crime scene. He gathered to pay the blood money (300 Ottoman liras) the leaders of the both parties and proposed in accordance with the sharia law and to sur- a peace settlement. However, Circassians render the criminals if they are identified. considered only Druses guilty and refused to But it was only a tactic. In accordance with reach an agreement by insisting on their pun- the agreement, Circassian representatives set ishment. The police commander could only out to identify the criminals. They were at- get a promise that there would be no hostile tacked by Druses who intercepted them. In action until a administrative authorities in- the conflict four Druses were killed and the vestigate the case. two parties started preparations for a war again. Messengers were sent from Hauran to As Circassians were not hopeful about a fair all Druse regions of Lebanon with a call for outcome from the investigation, they reached an immediate aid. Detachments set out from Sultan by sending him a message via official Hasbeyi, Rasheyi and Vadi-Acama to the authorities. In their message, they accused Majdal Shams, the center of Druses. Money the Rauf Pasha, Governor of Syrian Province, and weapons were provided by Lebanon. The of secretly protecting Druses and demanded Governor of Lebanon Naim Pasha had to in- a change in his position. And as a result, the tervene in the war preparations of Druses and governor and the district governor of Kuney- a legal investigation opened regarding this tra were unseated. The new governor Osman event with his order. The district governor Nuri Pasha set up a commission to investigate of Kuneytra went to Druses in order to stop the Druse-Circassian conflict under his own preparations for war along with a gendar- presidency by following the orders coming merie detachment. But he was captured and from İstanbul to solve the problem as soon was released in exchange for Druses who had as possible. According to the conditions sug- been imprisoned. Then the district governor gested to Circassians, Druses would pay 1000 came to Mansour where Circassian warriors liras to Mansourians and apologize. Truce was were gathered from the neighboring villages. signed on 9 August 1894. 35 Druse sheikhs The district governor asked them to disperse came from Hasbeyi, Rashei, Beka-Atı and by promising that he would absolutely inves- Majdal Shams to Mansoura and apologized. tigate the case in the eye of law. Circassians Despite the agreement reached, both parties believed in the district governor and they dis- lived with the expectation of a new conflict persed. On 24th May 1894, towards 10 a.m., and continued to get prepared for this. a Druse army of some 10.000 people opened fire against Mansour. And there was a coun- In autumn of 1895, a new Druse uprising terattack from the windows and roofs of the broke out. The Druse uprisings both carried houses. The clash, in which Circassians from the characteristics of national independence, neighboring villages joined as they heard the and also involved banditry actions such as gunshots, lasted for approximately 14 hours. killing Christians and plundering Fellahs. First of all Druses approached near the village, In Hauran warriors gathered from different and tried to enter in. Nevertheless, they were Druse regions, and they reached 10 thousand repelled by Circassians despite the fact that people. 9 villages were destroyed and 100 civil they outnumbered. According to Balyayev, people were killed as a result of the Druse at-

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 13 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

tacks by November. This situation led the Ot- Circassian-Bedouin-Kurdish cavalries also toman administration to create new military joined this troop. On 4 and 7 December 1896, units to suppress the insurgents. During the clashes took place between Ottoman forces same period, small-scale conflicts, which led and Druses, and the insurgents were defeated to the revival of the old hostility and to new at the end. The government removed the au- clashes, took place between Circassians and tonomy of Druse areas as a punishment. Druses. In the morning of 19 November 1895, a Druse army of 3 thousand people were split In military history of Syria, there are many in two and headed towards the Mansoura vil- skillful Circassian officers who served within lage. One of the groups would attack against the Ottoman army. One of them is Marshal Circassians, and the other half (Fadl Tribe) Osman Fevzi Pasha in Syria in early 20th cen- would go to the other side. The total num- tury. Circassian Husrev Pasha was the Head ber of Circassian and Bedouin troops was 2 of police department in Syrian Province for a thousand people. A Circassian prominent fig- long time. Abkhasian Muhammad Bek Mar- ure Anchok Ahmad Bey was the head of the shan was the military commander in Aleppo army. The allied army went out of the village province in early 20th century. General Mirza and fought against Druses. In the thick of the Pasha Vasfi, commander of Circassian Cav- battle, Ahmad Bey was killed, and Circassian- alry Troop in Amman, and many others are Bedouin troops started to withdraw. Never- mentioned in the Syrian history. theless, at that point Circassian police cavalry troop headed by Mirza Bey arrived and According to the information provided by attacked against Druses. Right afterwards, a Zuyev, Deputy Consul General of Russia in police group came from Beirut and they at- Damascus, there were 6.065 Circassian fami- tacked against Druses as well. Druses ran lies composed of 36.690 people lived in the away by leaving 400 losses behind. Circassian province of Syria on February 1904.11 There and Bedouin troops chased the Druses and are other sources claiming this figure to be advanced through the Druse regions and dev- 30 thousand and 40 thousand. However, the astated Majdal Shams. Kurdish troops joined most accurate information was provided af- the army which was headed by Said Pasha ter the establishment of the French mandate and was created against Druses. The united regime in Syria in 1920. The French research- army carried on their attacks and set the Ha- er De Proux believes that approximately 25 los, Harar, Ayne, Koniye, Zehitu and Beka Atu thousand Circassians lived in Syrian territo- villages on fire. On 20 November 1895, an Ot- ries in mid-1930s.12 The results of the census toman troop of 400 infantries, 200 cavalries taken by the French Mandate regime in 1935 and two artilleries headed by the 5th Cavalry are listed on the following table. (It might be Divison commander Nuri Pasha came from concluded that at that period there were ap- Damascus to Hauran. Then the 4th Army proximately 25 thousand Circassians living Commander General Memduh Pasha along in Syria, considering that a family was com- with his three infantry battalions mobilized. posed of 5-8 people:

14 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

Table – 1 The Census Taken by French Mandate Regime

Number of Sanjak District Settlement Households Ethnic Structure - Aleppo 100 Adygea (Kabardino and Abzekh) Jebel-Sman Hanasir village 100 Adygea (Kabardino) Aleppo Mumbuc Mumbuc village 400 Adygea (Abzekh) Azaz Ayn Dahan village 15 Adygea (Abzekh) Antakya Bedirge village 35 Adygea (Abzekh) Kırıkhan Reyhaniye village 120 Adygea (Abzekh) İskenderun Yenişehir village 95 Adygea (Abzekh) Harran village 60 Adygea (Abzekh) Salahiya district 20 Chechen Rakka village 100 Adygea (Kabardino), Chechen Deir-ez-Zor Ras el Ayn village 70 Chechen Kara village 50 Chechen Saﬁh village 80 Chechen Tel Ruman village 10 Chechen Mireic Eddar village 50 Adygea (Bzhedug) Tel Snan village 120 Adygea (Bzhedug), Abaza Hama Tel Adda village 60 Adygea (Bzhedug) Deyl el Acel village 50 Adygea (Kabardey) Cessin village 30 Daghistan (Avar) Humus Homs village 50 Daghistan (Avar, Lezgi, Kumuk) Ayn Zat village 180 Adygea (Bzhedug) Tel Amri village 150 Adygea (Bzhedug) Homs Abu Hamama village 30 Adygea (Bzhedug) Asil village 60 Adygea (Bzhedug) Deyr Fur village 160 Daghistan Tlil village 50 Adygea (Bzhedug) Adygea (Bzhedug, Kabardino and Damascus Muhacirin district 60 Abzekh) Damascus Marj Sultan village 70 Adygea (Abzekh) Boydan village 30 Karachay and Balkarian Bley village 150 Karachay and Balkarian Kuneytra Kuneytra 400 Adygea (Abzekh and Kabardey) Mansoura village 120 Adygea (Bzhedug and Abzekh) Ayn Zivan 150 Adygea (Abzekh) Mumsiya village 50 Abaza Cuveyza village 100 Adygea (Abzekh and Kabardino) Breyka village 150 Adygea (Abzekh) Adygea (Bzhedug, Kabardino and Bir Acam village 70 Abzekh) Hauran Surman village 120 Adygea (Bzhedug) Adygea (Kabardino and Abzekh), Kochniya village 150 Abaza Faham village 20 Adygea (Abzekh) Fazara village 10 Ossettian Hamidiya village13 30 Adygea (Kabardino) Ayn Surman village 30 Adygea (Kabardino) Ruhina village 25 Adygea (Abzekh) Sandaniya village14 10 Chechen Farac village 14 Ossettian Ceblya village 50 Adygea (Bzhedug) Alavitı Arab el Mülk village 20 Adygea (Bzhedug) Sukass village 15 Adygea (Bzhedug) Total - - 4039

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The accurate number of Circassians who During the years of World War I, the Otto- settled in Syria is not known. The authorities man Empire declared mobilization in Circas- could not record the accurate statistics dur- sian districts of Syria, and basic privates were ing the migration in 1878-1880. The fact that sent to the areas where the battle was thick. Circassians could not keep their own records Military command assigned Circassian police makes it difficult to estimate the population. troops to protect the routes and food bases Besides, the Circassian population declined in Syria. due to various deaths during the period of second exile from Balkans. According to the In 1916, the Sharif of Mecca Hussein and his information provided by the Consulates of son Faisal initiated the Arab revolt supported Russia in Damascus and Beirut, the number by the Britain in 1916. Feeling the Ottoman of Circassians who were settled in Syria be- pressure on themselves, Syrian Arabs actively supported the revolt. The Circassian people tween 1878-1880 ranged from 40 thousand to in this area had hard times in political terms. 50 thousand. Based on the research he carried Their loyalty to the Ottoman Empire increased out, İzzet Aydemir considers that in the afore- the hostile actions of Arabs, who considered said period some 70 thousand Circassians Circassians as the soldiers of Ottoman State. settled in Syria.15 The accurate statistical in- The elders of Circassian villages remember formation in Syria could only be obtained af- the armed conflicts that constantly took place ter the establishment of colonist mandate re- with Arabs. When the army of Sharif Hussein gimes of France and Britain in Transjordan in arrived in Northern Syria, Arabs who lived in 1920. According to the census taken in 1935, the neighborhood of Circassian town Mum- 4.039 Circassian families with the population buc asked them to destroy Mumbuc. Hearing of 25 thousand people lived in Syria. Accord- of the approaching Arab army, Circassians ingly, it is seen that a family was composed of sent a delegate declaring that local people of 5-8 people. During the same period, 9 thou- Mumbuc wanted to support the Arab revolt. sand people lived in eight Circassian villages This was the first event that Circassians took in Transjordan; 850 of them were Chechen. sides with Arabs during the years of war. In According to the census, 900 people lived in 1920 when the French troops started to in- two Circassian villages (Reyhaniye and Kfar- vade Syria, people of Mumbuc adhered to the Kama) created in Palestinian territories (pres- agreement they had signed with Arabs and ent Israel) in early 1930s. fought against the French troops. But they failed in the war where they fought against In February 1904, Damascus Governor Nazım motorized units. Pasha wanted to take a census in Hauran in order to collect tax. However, Circassians did In Transjordan, Circassians fought hard not accept this; and they also demanded cul- against the British troops. On March 1918, tivated lands in Maan region. Nazım Pasha the Ottoman troops withdrew due to the th asked the Consulate of Russia to send the dis- pressure of the General Allenby’s 6 British obedient Circassians back to North Caucasus. Army. Circassian troops clashed with the Nevertheless, he had to give up on this as the British troops. After the big losses on both parties, the British, who had an advantage agreement signed between the two states pro- both in number and in terms of weapon, won; hibited repatriation of exiles. Circassian Hus- and they invaded Transjordan. rev Pasha, who was assigned for the talks on September 1905, convinced his cognates to During the conference held in San Remo on give up on their disobedience and to stay still April 1920, the victorious European states 16 for a little longer after long and hard talks. took the Arab territories from the Ottoman

16 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

Empire for good. According to the mandate and the benefit society. After the French left, system, the League of Nations gave Iraq and it became more critical for Circassians. Arab Palestine back to Britain. The majority of Syr- nationalists accused Circassians of cooperat- ia enterd under the rule of colonist regime of ing with French occupants and launched an France. anti-Circassian campaign. Those who served in French troops and intellectuals had to leave Despite in small numbers, Circassians’ im- Syria. migration from North Caucasus to Syria cıntinued until the early 1920s. Circassians After the World War II, thanks to the good mostly settled in the Golan Heights, Trans- relations developed between Syria and the jordan, in the neighborhoods of Hama, Homs Soviet Union, Syrian Circassians found the and Aleppo.17 The Amman, Jerash, Kuneytra opportunity to develop relations with their and Mumbuc villages they created grew big- cognates living in North Caucasus. Particu- ger and turned into cities.18 The last group larly 1960s was a bright era. Large amount of Circassians arrived in the aftermath of the of books, newspapers, magazines, cassettes World War II. This group was mostly com- etc. were brought from Caucasus. Although posed of the former soldiers of the Red Army Syrian Circassians preserved their cultures who were captured by the Germans and did and identities in general, they always felt the not return to North Caucasus, and the young threat of losing their language and cultures men who joined the German army in the in- for various reasons such as their limited and vasion of North Caucasus by Nazi Germany dispersed population, and the Syrian govern- in 1942. ment’s being oppressive about cultural rights.

The mmigration continued until 1920s due to On November 1947, when Palestine was split the reasons such as conflicts with neighbor- into two states, conflicts broke out between ing tribes and the infertility of lands. While Syrian and Israeli troops. Afterwards, Circas- some groups immigrated from Syria, some sians formed voluntary troops led by İhsan others who were in the search of more fertile Shurdum, who later became the Commander lands migrated within Syria; small settlements of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, and joined combined with the bigger ones. For instance, the war in Palestine. Between 1948-49, the those who were the victims of contagious dis- voluntary and effective participation of Cir- eases in Damascus settled along with their cassians in the Arab-Israeli war positively cognates in Kuneytra. affected the relationship between Arabs and Circassians. In 1920s, when Syria was under the French mandate, some Circassians served for the With high discipline and war skills, Circas- French administration as cavalry troops sian troops played an effective role in con- maintaining internal order. In this period, secutive military coups in Syria taking place Circassian intellectuals started to strive for in the aftermath of the war. In 1960, the the revival of their culture under the lead- population of Syrian Circassians declined to ership of Emin Semguğ. Approximately 40 38 thousand people. The Arab-Israeli war schools were opened mostly in Kuneytra re- that broke out on June 1967 caused to ma- gion. The weekly newspaper “Marc” started jor changes in socio-economic and political to be published in Arabic, French and in situation of the Syrian Circassian society. The Circassian with Roman letters in 1928. Nev- first and most severe blow Syria received by ertheless, in 1936 when the French mandate Israel came from the Golan Heights where government came to an end, the Syrian gov- the majority of Circassians lived. During the ernment closed the schools, the newspaper same period 16 thousand Circassians lived in

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 17 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

Kuneytra and villages in the neighborhood.19 Damascus is 1.771.000 people. Including the Kuneytra was considered as the cultural cen- neighboring settlements affiliated to the capi- ter of Syrian Circassians. While the Syrian tal in economic and infrastructural terms, 2,4 army, which gave great losses in the face of million people live here based on the figures Israeli troops, progressing with the support of in 2004. Like any other city, Damascus is ac- jets and tanks, withdrew; Circassian resisted tually composed of several Damascus’ within hopelessly. The Israeli troops invaded Kuney- itself. The old city is composed of forgotten tra on 9 June 1967; they totally destroyed the ghettos with weak infrastructure and with city and he neighboring Circassian villages. peeled off houses. It is necessary to watch Circassians, who had to leave Golan, were out while wandering around the labyrinthian temporarily placed in schools and hospitals alleys as a tourist or while driving a car. The in Damascus by the Syrian Circassian Ben- other Damascus, on the other hand, is a self- efit Society. In this period, a group of young sufficient administrative center with its con- people launched a campaign to return to temporary architecture, expensive stores, North Caucasus. The USSR embassy received wealthy residences, and modern clinics. The applications on behalf of 3 thousand people. “second Damascus” has become a center of However, response to these applications was attraction for the Circassian elites in Syria. that the Soviet Union could not immediately Here, Circassians found themselves in a mod- accept Circassians, and that their requests ern city life refining the traditional life style. would be assessed later on. More dynamic rhythm of life, new concept of time and the necessity of keeping up with The U.S. government handled the situation it, intense exchange of information, and ac- of Circassian refugees. In return for their giv- cess to new technologies have put an end to ing up on the territories in the Golan Heights, the traditional self-enclosed structure of the it was proposed to those who wanted, to Circassian society for the last 20-30 years. settle in the U.S., in Paterson city located in Bilingualism has become widespread among the State of New Jersey where mostly North Circassians as a result of this situation. I was Caucasian people who were World War II not that common among the old generation refugees lived. In the first group a thousand who only knows Circassian. Circassians, who people ettled in the U.S. The immigration of live in the cities, started to have a command Syrian Circassians in the U.S. has been con- of Arabic and right afterwards of English. tinuing since then. Some of the refugees im- Studying in Maykop in Northwestern Cau- migrated to Jordan, to other Arab states, or to casus, Syrian Circassians speak daily English West European countries. Those who stayed without problem. Circassians have acquired in Syria, on the other hand, settled in Damas- new professions for the last three decades. cus and in the neighborhood. Today, they do not only work in the institutions related to army, security and ministry of 3. The Current Presence of Circassians in defense; they also work in scientific, cultural, Syria: Transformation Era higher education and medical fields.

In the second half of the 20th century, Syr- The traditional profession of Circassians was ian Circassians underwent a transformation. military service until recently. Both during the First of all, the environment where they live Ottoman period and French mandate as well has changed; Most of the Circassians cur- as during the independence periods, their tra- rently live in Damascus due to the internal ditional loyalty to the government created the migration. Today, Damascus is one of the image for Circassians that they are law-abid- largest capitals of the “East”. According to ing and loyal Syrian citizens. Anzor Kushabi- the official figures of 2009, the population of yev, who is the only Russian researcher carry-

18 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

ing on studies on Circassian diaspora in Syria, regime, while other oppose to it. Some Cir- states that “There were 30-35 effective Circas- cassians have been taking part in the anti- sian generals in armed forces of the country government demonstrations since the begin- towards the end of 1990s”. But it would be an ning. 5 of 11 people, who participated in the exaggeration to define Syrian Circassians as demonstrations near the Ministry of Interior a military class. There are successful doctors, and were arrested, were Circassians. It is farmers, businessmen, civilian and military known that Governor Mirza has sided with bureaucrats, politicians, scientists, authors the opposition. Sheikh Jawdat Said Tsey, who and poets among Syrian Circassians. They do is a member of the “Syrian National Council” not have the same influence they had among that is currently the main group representing military elites of Syria two decades ago. The the insurgents and who is also a well-known idea suggesting that Circassians are a mili- Islamic scholar in Syria, is Circassian and has tary class is too exaggerated. Certain analysts been explicitly opposing to Bashar Assad. write that currently there is no Circassian in Sheikh Jawdat Said Tsey is one of the promi- security forces of Assad and in key positions nent Islamic authorities in Syria and he is within army. While such severe transforma- known for his opposition to violence across tions take place, Syrian Circassians consider the Islamic world. He was one of the 20 signa- North Caucasus as moral homeland like be- tories of the open letter which they wrote with fore. On the other hand, the identity of young their colleagues and where they expressed Circassians belong to the neighborhood of their concern about the violent actions of the Adyge-Habze which was recreated. Both in Assad government against the Syrian people. 1920s and 1960s, Syrian Circassians sent pe- titions to the USSR in order to return to their North Caucasus showed its first reaction to historical homelands. There are correspon- the increasing violence in Syria on December dences on this subject in the State Archive of 2011. The Circassian Congress of Karachay- the Russian Federation (GARF). While the re- Cherkess Republic Regional Popular Move- lations with Syrian Circassian diaspora had a ment called for the President of Russian Fed- nominal character with hardships due to the eration Medvedev to provide an opportunity bureaucratic obstacles, today internet has re- for Syrian Circassian diaspora to return to moved the borders in communication and has North Caucasus.20 Immediately after this de- become one of the factors affecting formation mand, the Circassian Congress of the Adygea of Circassian consciousness in all diaspora Republic demanded the Russian Federation countries. The communication of Syrian Cir- to take an action for the transfer of Syrian cassians with Circassians in the Russian Fed- Circassians, who were in the middle of the eration is not only limited with personal and conflict, to North Caucasus.21 Then, Syrian affinity relationships. In addition to this, the Circassians became the center of attention of Adyge-Abkhaz group on facebook is develop- the media which dealt with Caucasus in the ing through the communication in “Western Russian Federation. As from 6 January 2012, Caucasus”, it is not that active though. four Syrian Circassian groups of approximately 300 people applied to the President 4. Popular Uprising in Syria and of Russian Federation Medvedev and to the Circassians presidents of North Caucasus Republics (to the President of Adygea Aslan Thakushinov, Today, there are 90 thousand to 100 thousand President of Kabardino-Balkaria Arsen Kano- Circassians, most of whom live in Damas- kov and to President of the Republic of Kara- cus, Aleppo and Homs in Syria. The Circas- chayevo-Cherkessia Rashid Temrezov), where sian people are a part of the Syrian society. Adygeas are the founding nation, to help them Of course, some of them support the Assad return to their historical homelands during

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 19 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

the period when Syria is on the verge of a civil ment. For instance, Nejdet Hatam Meshfesh war. On February 2012, the representatives of who returned from Turkey long time ago, Circassian community in Syria paid a visit to and Yahya Staş who returned from Syria ac- the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. The rep- tively work in the aforesaid non-governmen- resentatives stated that Circassians wanted tal organizations. They especially help the to go out from Syria, and that the people are students arriving from Turkey and the Arab scared of the future. They said Circassians countries. They tell in cooperation with the have been trying to stay neutral between the Committee on Relations with Nationalities regime and the opposition, but that the situa- and Cognatesand with the Adygea media that tion in the country is getting worse with each these students are not from the other people passing day.22 of Turkey, Jordan or Syria; but Adygea. Stu- dents from Syria and Turkey study in two local universities (Adygea State University and There are certain characteristics about the Technological University). A quota for 55 approach of Russian media towards the ap- students from Syria and Turkey was allocated plication of Syrian Circassians to the Russian in this academic year. They have professors Federation and to the public opinion. First of using special methods to teach Russian as a all, it has been observed that the well-respect- foreign language. The State Radio and Tele- ed media of the Russian Federation has more vision Corporation broadcasts in three lan- publications on the subject than expected. guages such as “Adygea” Circassian, Arabic Secondly, the moderate discourse of all of and Turkish; and it has been in cooperation them grabs the attention. Except for several with the Circassian satellite channel Nart TV attempts of disinformation from news por- in Jordan since 2009. tals that did not verify the accuracy of the information they had given, (such as; 5 million The Kosovo experience taught a lot. In 1998, Ruble aid from the federal budget for Syrian Kosovo Circassians were brought from Yu- Circassians returning to Northwestern Cau- goslavia, which was surrounded by war, to casus etc.) the media of Russian Federation is Adygea with the active support of Moscow. moderate and principled in general terms. A village called Mafehabl (Felicity Village) was created in the neighborhood of Maykop Moscow has not made a decision on Syr- for Kosovo Circassians. Within the bounds ian Circassians yet. Suspicious voices are all of possibility, Kosovo Circassians were sup- around suggesting that in case Syrian Circas- ported by the government of Kabardino- sians are accepted in the Russian Federation Balkar Republic, “Merkuriy” company of the this project would place a burden on the fed- Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, Shapsugsky Adygea Hase, Adygea Hase of Krasnodar eral budget, Syrians would not work and they Krai, the U.S. Adygea Hase (New Jersey and would be a burden considering they will be California), Hase from Jordan, Kfar-Kama accorded special rights. However, the expe- where Circassians live in Israel and Reyhaniye rience of Syrian Circassians returning to the people, and Hamburg Adygea Hase. N. Kon- Russian Federation in 1990s shows that this dratenko, Governor of Krasnodar Krai, also was certainly not the situation in Kabardino- provided financial assistance of 200 thousand Balkar and in Adygea (almost nobody re- Ruble for the Foundation of Support for Re- turned to Karachay-Cherkessia). For exam- turnees; while M. Irugov from Islamey village ple, there is an ideal environment in Adygea (Kabardino-Balkar Republic) built a mosque where adaptation could be faster. There are in Mafehabl with his own money. Returning both official institutions (Tsentr Adaptatsii to homeland was not easy for “Kosovans”. Repatriantov) and non-governmental orga- Certain local authorities acted intolerantly. nizations operating to help returnees with Cultural differences, especially in terms of adapting themselves to the new environ- outlook on Islam, caused by having lived in

20 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM different political and cultural environment the descendants of those who immigrated for 150 years were mentioned. However, con- from the territories of the current Russian trary to the pessimist expectations regarding Federation for various reasons. However, lo- Kosovans would leave soon, only 30 Yugosla- cal republics have annual quotas for this. The vian Circassians went to Germany and Tur- republics were given initiatives to increase key among approximately 200 of them arriv- the quotas when they reached the full capac- ing in Adygea. ity some time ago.

Circassians, who remained in their country 5. Aid Efforts For Syrian Circassians in Northwestern Caucasus, created new em- ployment opportunities for themselves. They Mainly, the aid for Syrian Circassians com- learned Russian, and the young people stud- ing from Syria to North Caucasus has been ied at Adygea State University. As of 1990s, organized by the non-governmental organi- the returning experience of Circassians from zations. Kabardino-Balkarian Community Turkey, Syria and Kosovo to their homeland Foundation “Perit” comes first among these showed that those argued diaspora Circas- organizations. According to the information sians could not adapt themselves into the re- recently obtained, 1800 people requested in- ality of Russian Federation are wrong. First vitation from the Perit foundation. Only 1.250 of all, Circassians returning to Northwestern of these requests could be met, while others Caucasus respect law and stay loyal to the still wait. In order to prepare the invitations, state accepting themselves. These character- firstly the passport copies of those who made istics of Circassians highlighted by special- request are translated from Arabic to Rus- ists since before led them to be successful sian. Application forms come from the Im- as expat-warrior in Poland and the Ottoman migration Office a month later. However, as Empire during the middle and modern ages. it is required to pay 500 ruble (15 dollars) for Today, this characteristic help the descendants of refugees to ideally integrate into the each invitation, economic difficulties add to Israeli, Turkish and Syrian security forces and the bureaucratic problems. There are many of armies. Secondly, the returnees are not a bur- those who cannot leave Syria due to the lack den to anyone. They bring along work expe- of travel allowance even if they receive invi- riences that North Caucasian Circassians do tation. Those who arrive, on the other hand, not have yet. The dental clinics, dry cleaning, face problems such as rent and food expenses stores, fast-food restaurants, small facilities as and finding permanent place to live. producing chicken, clothe manufacturing fac- tories, foreign language schools, construction As of September 2012, the number of Cir- companies opened by returnees create em- cassians coming from Syria to Northwest- ployment opportunities in Maykop, Nalchik ern Caucasus are 420 people. There are 370 and the villages they settled in. people in Kabardino-Balkar Republic. Others were sent to the Adygea Republic. They stay Nevertheless, the Russian Federation has not in sanatoriums and hotels, and all their ex- been officially supporting the return of Cir- penses are covered. 49 families among those cassians in parallel with its Syrian policy. Even accepted to settle in the houses purchased by though the government does not firmly op- the Perit Foundation in villages. They will pay poses to returnees, Moscow pursues a policy it in two installments. The houses of those of ‘silence’ on this subject and the problems of who left Caucasus 5 years ago by leaving their Syrian Circassians in Northwestern Caucasus houses behind will be taken back. arriving in Circassian republics are not dealt with at an official level. The “compatriots law” The problems such as residence permit and which accords the right to return their home- extending the visa started to be solved despite land and citizenship right does not work for the heavy-going bureaucracy. The increase

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 21 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

in the number of Circassians “returning to Circassian friendly Viktor Lihtman who set- homeland” depends on how the events in tled in Israel from Nalchik, the capital of the Syria develop and come to an end, as well as Kabardino-Balkar Republic, brought the let- on the new order and how they proceed their ter of Israeli Circassians and representatives life in their new settlements. of non-governmental organizations from various countries to the Israeli government on August 6th. The demand of Syrian Circassians Also Circassians in Turkey have mobilized to be accepted in Israel was also mentioned in to help Circassians living in Syria. The Fed- the aforesaid letter. eration of Caucasian Associations (KAFFED) based in Ankara launched a campaign for Most of the Circassians in the U.S. are Syr- charity collection. KAFFED officials talked ian and they mostly live in New Jersey. In to Russian Ambassador to Ankara Vladimir 1967 when Israel invaded Golan, they were Ivanovsky twice on the situation of Circas- given the U.S. citizenship. They established sians in Syria and on what could be done. the Nasip Foundation in 2010, aside from the The demands mentioned during the talk can Circassian Foundation which already existed be listed as follows: The implementation of in the U.S. In 2012, along with a delegation, compatriots law within the constitution of they talked to New Jersey Senator (democrat) the Russian Federation for Syrian Circassians; Robert Menendes, and called for a humani- tarian aid for the Syrian Circassians under increasing the annual quota of 450 people threat. In addition to this, they demanded the which was granted to the Kabardino-Balkar U.S. to provide shelter for Syrian Circassians Republic and which is currently full; not re- in the U.S., in Jordanian and Turkish camps, questing visa from those who want to go to and who live in military operation areas in Northwestern Caucasus from Syria consider- Syria. Senator Menendes sent an official let- ing the state of war; the Russian Federation to ter to the White House within 24 hours and let those who want to return to their home- demanded Barack Obama to help Syrian citi- land like in Kosovo example as soon as pos- zens in the U.S. as soon as possible, and “to let sible. Syrian citizens who immigrated to the United States stay in the country by granting them a In Turkey, civilian initiative groups also carry temporary protected status. Obama positive- out activities to announce the problem to the ly responded to the Senator’s letter demand- ing the U.S. protection for Syrian Circassians. public opinion. On 23 September 2012, mem- However, there is not many people coming to bers of the Circassian Platform announced the U.S. except for those who left through af- the demands of Syrian Circassians to return finity relationship from Syrian Circassians. to their homeland in front of the Embassy and Consulates of Russian Federation by staging According to the recent information obtained simultaneous demonstrations in three cities from Syria, Circassians who mostly live in cit- in Turkey (İstanbul, Ankara, Antalya) and in ies but also are related to villages take shelter Berlin. Besides they have been striving to col- in their villages when the conflicts get worse. lect charity through dinner organizations etc. Nevertheless, villages can no more absorb the dense population. As generally the opposition There is no Syrian Circassians in the camps in forces are in cities, villages are defenseless Turkey. It is known that some of them rented and massacres are more severe. However, the attacks of neither side have directly targeted houses in cities near the borderline or stay Circassians. with their relatives. Especially those who arrive in Reyhanlı district of Hatay, where Cir- In Syria, people can only go to Lebanon by cassians live, with close relationship with Syr- air. The air corridors of Jordan and Turkey ian Circassians are relatively more. Reyhanlı are closed. It is quite risky to go to neighbor- Circassian Foundation actively work for aid ing countries by land, as the conflicts have organization for those coming to Turkey. increased in the areas especially near Turkey.

22 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

ENDNOTES

1 Other Caucasian people (Abkhaza, Ossettian, Chechen and Daghistani) who live in Syria with few population are also called Circassian 2 Druses who immigrated from Lebanon in 1711 and 1860 settled in Hauran in southwestern Syria !"#!$#%!"$'2+/ 1:;<#=$%;;=<> 53. @ !'2+/ 1:;<#=$%BF@>;B 5 European ambassadors have lots of published and unpublished memoirs telling the awfulness of the Cir- cassian exile. G J2KKJP TKT"P U"J;VBBJ;:F < !'2+S"/ 1:;<#=$%;;=:>=F 8 Ibid. V Y+>@J;B ;= %!>U"\\>' !J;VB'@!@G ; ^[++T+_;VFY[++ in the area. 14 Sandaniya was established by Chechens, but then Arabs settled here. ;: U2KK``_[+T"T%` #@JY{;:J;VG<$ ;G !'!@B=%:= ;< |P^`[+Y;VG

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 23 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

ORSAM REPORTS

ORSAM Report No: 1 ORSAM Report No: 13 ORSAM Report No: 24 ORSAM Report No: 35 March 2009 K"Q January 2011 March 2011 The Struggle Against Piracy: \[=Q] $G* Current Situation and Important L=$$]- with Turkey, War and Peace and =<Z Position <% .'" (Tr) (Tr - Eng) Analizi x,G (Tr) (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 36 ORSAM Report No: 2 ORSAM Water Research Pro- April 2009 ORSAM Report No: 14 ORSAM Report No: 25 gramme Report No: 1 60 Years of Alliance: NATO and K"Q January 2011 Turkey ]L=<- /">"= March 2011 (Tr - Eng) ])%, Council in Legal and Political /@KG<= (Tr) Aspects Implementation in Turkey: The ORSAM Report No: 3 (Tr) Draft National Implementation May 2009 ORSAM Report No: 15 Plan March 2010 ORSAM Report No: 26 (Eng) (Tr - Eng) Orsam Heyetinin 7 March 2010 ,.$/.+/*+.;+. ])%x% Report No: 5 ORSAM Report No: 37 ORSAM Report No: 4 Raporu K"QQ March 2011 July 2009 (Tr) *=<Z Z* "]$- $>% Aftermath %&$" ORSAM Report No: 16 Past, Present and Future (Tr) (Tr) April 2010 (Tr - Rus) ;.." ORSAM Report No: 38 ORSAM Report No: 5 Between Tradition and Modernity ORSAM Report No: 27 August 2009 ." K"QQ March 2011 '"* (Tr) Z/>Z*- "@&- Perceptions of Turkey Among the lution: Is That the End of an Era? Religious and Sectarian Factions ORSAM Report No: 17 (Tr) (Tr) " April 2010 (Tr - Eng) / ORSAM Report No: 39 Elections of March 7, 2010 and ORSAM Report No: 28 March 2011 ORSAM Report No: 6 the New Political Equation ,.$/.+/*+.;+. K" +" (Tr) Report No: 6 (Tr) The Tuzhurmatu Turkmens: A K"QQ Success Story ORSAM Report No: 18 The Limits of Power in Distraining ORSAM Report No: 40 (Tr - Eng - Ar) ,.$/.+/*+.;+. Z" ORSAM Water Research Pro- Report No: 3 International Law of the Sea gramme Report No: 2 ORSAM Report No: 7 May 2010 'x><> March 2011 Z+>>. +" Turkish-Russian Relations: From Climate Change From a Security The Forgotten Turkmen Land: +>">=- Black Sea- Diyala operation (Tr) Z=/= (Tr - Eng - Ar) (Tr - Rus) Middle East ORSAM Report No: 29 (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 8 ORSAM Report No: 19 K"QQ ,.$/.+/*+.;+. Z"Q &Z* ORSAM Report No: 41 Report No: 1 [>G /Z= March 2011 <=" Turkey and Turkmen Population (Tr) Understanding Iraq Through ."%> in Turkey Cartoons - 1 Black Sea (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 30 (Tr) (Tr - Eng) K"QQ ORSAM Report No: 20 Property Disagreements in ORSAM Report No: 42 ORSAM Report No: 9 ,.$/.+/*+.;+. $., ORSAM Water Research Pro- January 2010 Report No: 4 Field Search gramme Report No: 3 The Yemen Issue: A Step Toward ;="Q (Tr) April 2011 $>%& Regional War? Hydropolitical History of Nile (Tr - Eng) the Reasons of Change in ORSAM Report No: 31 x ,.$/.+/*+.;+. *,*=<Z- ORSAM Report No: 10 Foresights Report No: 7 ments January 2010 (Tr) March 2011 (Tr) @CG <Z.> Struggle, Regional Influences and ORSAM Report No: 21 and Pakistan and Their Effects on ORSAM Report No: 43 Relations With Turkey +"Q International Security April 2011 (Tr - Eng) Away From Iraq: Post 2003 Iraqi (Tr) Social-Political Structure of [>+>">- +$ ORSAM Report No: 11 tries and to Turkey ORSAM Report No: 32 Regional K"Q U/>X March 2011 x*G The Forgotten Turks: Turkmens Shiite Opposition Question in Turkey " ORSAM Report No: 22 ."Z= (Tr) U/>.X January 2011 (Tr) Turkey-Yemen Relations and the ORSAM Report No: 44 ORSAM Report No: 12 Perception of Turkey in Yemen ORSAM Report No: 33 ORSAM Water Research Pro- ,.$/.+/*+.;+. U/>.X March 2011 Report No: 2 /= gramme Report No: 4 K"Q ORSAM Report No: 23 (Tr) April 2011 *Z=- January 2011 ;"> ence of the Factor of Iraq on Is the Qatar-Iraq-Turkey-Europe ORSAM Report No: 34 Z []U[%' [/= +xZ}= March 2011 /X (1990-2008) K"~ Turkmen Press in Iraq Basin Water Management (Tr - Rus) (Tr - Eng) U.X (Tr)

24 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

ORSAM Report No: 45 ORSAM Report No: 55 ORSAM Report No: 67 ORSAM Report No: 78 April 2011 June 2011 August 2011 ORSAM Water Research Pro- Syria Towards Democracy or Antalya Conference of Syrian .+ gramme Report No: 8 @~== Opposition: Results, Outlook on . ;="QQ Structure, Prospects ,="/Z= (Tr) Constructed Wetlands and Re- For Change and Its Impacts on from Turkey Use of Waste Water for the Irriga- tion in Turkey and Israel Turkey (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 68 (Tr) (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 56 Z"QQ ORSAM Report No: 46 June 2011 The Operaton Against Osama ORSAM Report No: 79 May 2011 /=/Z= - Bin Laden and Its Reflections in ;="QQ Power Struggle in Syria, Reaction =<Z Cartoons The Political Balance in Pre- of the International Community U.X (Tr) Election Period in Tunisia (Tr) (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 57 ORSAM Report No: 69 June 2011 Z"QQ ORSAM Report No: 80 Reflections Of 12 June 2011 Tur- ;="QQ ORSAM Report No: 47 Understanding Iraq Through Understanding Iraq Through ORSAM Water Research Pro- key Parliamentary Elections in the Cartoons - 4 Middle Eastern Countries Cartoons - 5 gramme Report No: 5 (Tr) (Tr) May 2011 (Tr - Eng) Turkey-Syria Relations: Asi ORSAM Report No: 58 ORSAM Report No: 70 ORSAM Report No: 81 (Orontes) Friendship Dam As An ,.$/.+/*+.;+. ,.$/.+/*+.;+. /Z;Z July 2011 Report No: 15 Reflections of 12 June 2011 Tur- Report No: 10 "@ Z"QQ ;="QQ (Tr) key Parliamentary Elections in the *- xG=.>- Middle East Through Cartoons stan ORSAM Report No: 48 (Tr) cies in the XXI. Century (Tr-Eng) May 2011 (Tr - Rus) ;G'Q ORSAM Report No: 59 ORSAM Report No: 82 ."&[.=- July 2011 ORSAM Report No: 71 ,.$/.+/*+.;+. demics - 1 Understanding Iraq Through Z"QQ Report No: 16 (Tr) Cartoons - 2 x%",=& ;="QQ (Tr) International Law, Palmer Report .>Z= ORSAM Report No: 49 .ZZ= +>"> ORSAM Report No: 60 May 2011 (Tr) (Tr-Eng) ;G' ORSAM Water Research Pro- gramme Report No: 6 ORSAM Report No: 83 Iraqi Turkmens - 1 ORSAM Report No: 72 (Tr) July 2011 +"QQ Cooperation and Conflict on the Z"QQ The Community Brought up to [>*@ Statistics of the Middle Eastern Agenda upon the Transition in ORSAM Report No: 50 Countries May 2011 (Tr-Eng) Syria: The Turkmens of Syria ;*.[G' (Tr) (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 61 $;=&.== July 2011 ORSAM Report No: 73 ORSAM Report No: 84 'Q The Complete Decipher of the ORSAM Water Research Pro- (Tr) ,.$/.+/*+.;+. == & Report No: 11 gramme Report No: 9 +"QQ Carried Out in Antalya Between ;="QQ ORSAM Report No: 51 June 1-2 2011 Z=K Anatolian Sphere of Influence ,.$/.+/*+.;+. (Tr - Eng) Political Drought or Natural One? Report No: 8 (Tr-Eng) (Tr-Eng) May 2011 ORSAM Report No: 62 \.[- August 2011 ORSAM Report No: 74 ORSAM Report No: 85 *>> Understanding Iraq Through ,.$/.+/*+.;+. +"QQ Regime of Turkish Straits Cartoons - 3 Report No: 12 Historical Pragmatism in Syrian (In the Framework of the Chang- (Tr) ;="QQ Political Culture, Syrian Foreign >xZ=,=X Ukraine in Regress: The Tymosh- Policy Under Bashar Al-Assad (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 63 and Turkish-Syrian Relations enko Trial (Tr) ORSAM Water Research Pro- (Eng) ORSAM Report No: 52 gramme Report No: 7 ,.$/.+/*+.;+. August 2011 ORSAM Report No: 86 Report No: 9 ORSAM Report No: 75 +"QQ ">=*= ,.$/.+/*+.;+. May 2011 "x@ From Past to Present: The Iraqi K= Afghanistan and Regional Se- (Tr) Report No: 13 curity ;="QQ Administration (Tr) (Middle East, Central and South ORSAM Report No: 64 $%$% Asia, Russian Federation) August 2011 (Tr - Rus) (Tr - Rus) ORSAM Report No: 87 = =<Z- +"QQ ment Party in 12 June 2011 ORSAM Report No: 76 ORSAM Report No: 53 Turkmen in Iraq and Their Flight: x/= ,.$/.+/*+.;+. A Demographic Question? May 2011 U.X Report No: 14 (Eng) [>=x&[> ;="QQ Opportunities, and Relations ORSAM Report No: 65 The Forgotten Turks in Italy: ORSAM Report No: 88 with Turkey in the 50th Year of August 2011 Moena Turks +"QQ Independence ."Z>> (Tr - It) ,U (Tr) Q "$X (Tr) (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 54 ORSAM Report No: 77 May 2011 ORSAM Report No: 66 ;="QQ ORSAM Report No: 89 xZ.ZZ=G August 2011 *>x"/= +"QQ [="*- @"- of the Us Post-Withdrawal Policy Morocco Monarchy in Trans- tions With Turkey: A Study Based > Towards Iraq and Its Reflections =/ On Field Research Cartoons - 1 on Turkey *~ (Tr) (Tr) (Tr) (Tr)

ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 25 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

ORSAM Report No: 90 ORSAM Report No: 101 ORSAM Report No: 112 ORSAM Report No: 122 +"QQ ORSAM Water Research Pro- March 2012 ORSAM Water Research Pro- The Efforts of Democratization in gramme Report No: 11 Constitutional System and Politi- gramme Report No: 15 $> - January 2012 ==*Z"= May 2012 @= Right to Safe Drinking Water and of Iran Water Resources Management Actors and Regional Challenges Sanitation (Tr) in Iraq (Tr-Eng) (Tr) (Tr - Eng) ORSAM Report No: 113 ,.$/.+/*+.;+. ORSAM Report No: 91 ORSAM Report No: 102 Report No: 18 ORSAM Report No: 123 <="QQ January 2012 ,.$/.+/*+.;+. ."> April 2012 How and Under What Circum- [>.<Z><=- Report No: 22 Decisions to Impose Sanction stances Could Iraq Be Split Up? June 2012 .>&"- racy and a Magnet for Mining Being Ready for the Worst (Eng) x"[><Z- sequences U/>X (Tr) ment of Migration Policies ORSAM Report No: 114 of Turkey and European Union ORSAM Report No: 103 April 2012 (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 92 January 2012 >"- <="QQ The Struggle for Oil in Iraq: An lem Through Comics - 8 ORSAM Report No: 124 Current Situation of Disputed Analysis in the Light of Multi- (Tr) Areas in Iraq July 2012 National Companies, (Tr) Turkey in Africa: The Implemen- International Contracts and Con- ORSAM Report No: 115 April 2012 tation of the Action Plan and an ORSAM Report No: 93 <" / (Tr) .> ORSAM Water Research Pro- Syria: Risks, Opportunities and After Fifteen Years gramme Report: 10 Scenarios for Turkey (Tr - Eng - Fr) <="QQ ORSAM Report No: 104 (Tr - Eng) Turkey and Wfd Harmonization: A ORSAM Water Research Pro- ORSAM Rapport No 124 Silent, But Significant Process gramme Report No: 12 ORSAM Report No: 116 Juillet 2012 (Eng) K"Q ORSAM Water Research Pro- La Turquie en Afrique: Un Bilan ./<.- gramme Report No: 14 [; ORSAM Report No: 94 =G"- April 2012 <= <="QQ ary Aquifers =Z ,'- Quinze Ans Apres > &=,=> The Role of Perception in Turkey- U/>X (Tr - Eng - Fr) France Crisis: French Perception and Practical Reflections ORSAM Report No: 105 (Tr - Eng) on Turkey ORSAM Report No: 125 K"Q (Tr) ,.$/.+/*+.;+. Political Rights of Minorities in ORSAM Report No: 117 Report No: 23 Iraqi Legislation April 2012 ORSAM Report No: 95 July 2012 <="Q (Tr) [K (Tr - Eng) Middle East Policy of Russia ."Z>> (Tr - Eng) ORSAM Report No: 106 ORSAM Report No: 118 (Tr) K"Q ,.$/.+/*+.;+. Social Rights of Minorities in Iraqi ORSAM Report No: 126 Report No: 19 ORSAM Water Research Pro- ORSAM Report No: 96 Legislation May 2012 <="QQ (Tr) gramme Report No: 16 The Analysis of Trade-Economic July 2012 Understanding Iraq Through Relations ORSAM Report No: 107 Between Ukraine and Turkey Towards the New Water Frame- (Tr) K"Q (Tr - Rus) G<=+@ Human Rights of Minorities in Draft Law ORSAM Report No: 97 Terms of International Law And ORSAM Report No: 119 (Tr) January 2012 Iraqi Constitution ,.$/.+/*+.;+. Understanding Iraq Through (Tr) Report No: 20 ORSAM Report No: 127 \ May 2012 August 2012 (Tr) ORSAM Report No: 108 xZ=<= $[ K"Q > (Tr - Eng) ORSAM Report No: 98 Trends and Scenariouse of Re- The Future of the Economic Co- ><Z ,.$/.+/*+.;+. operation Organization (ECO) ORSAM Report No: 128 Report No: 17 (Tr - Rus) (Tr - Eng) ,.$/.+/*+.;+. January 2012 Report No: 24 ORSAM Report No: 120 /=$>%- Z"Q /=$>%- ORSAM Report No: 109 ,.$/.+/*+.;+. K"Q Report No: 21 <Z,' stan-Turkey Relations Turkey Economic Cooperation in (Tr) The Missing Letter: The Rise of May 2012 ,= . <Z= Modern Conditions (Tr - Rus - Eng) ORSAM Report No: 99 (It) $%Q- January 2012 tary Elections (Tr) =- ORSAM Report No: 110 ORSAM Report No: 129 ORSAM Water Research Pro- ,.$/.+/*+.;+. ments on Syrian Refugees in Ha- ORSAM Report No: 121 tay, and Approaches of Political gramme Report No: 13 Report No: 25 March 2012 May 2012 Z"Q *Z[- New Dynamics in Local and Iraqi ments in Hatay Towards Syrian Water Resources and Manage- ,'<- Politics in Mosul (Field Study) => <ZU[='<=" ment in Iran U'/>'xX 2011) (Tr) Cooperation (Tr) ORSAM Bericht Nr. 121 (Tr - Rus - Eng) ORSAM Report No: 111 Mai 2012 ORSAM Report No: 100 March 2012 $Z[ ORSAM Report No: 130 January 2012 A Critical Look at the Syrian Neue Dynamiken in Der Irakisch- +"Q Statistics of Iraq $;ZZ UK"X Syrian Circassians (Tr) (Tr) UxX (Tr - Eng)

26 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

$" ;*.[<= <[,.% [/&<==== .=<.$ ;*.[.&;*.[/>', .=<;(% ;*.[.&[/'. .=<L% ;*.[.&[//='.$=Z&<Z/== .=<[$ ;*.[.&[/'x%&<Z* .=<L% ;*.[.&[/'[/&<Z* ""% ;*.[.&[/ .</ ;*.[.&[/'./&<Z* .<[ ;*.[*=&/&.K"$%+ <.". ;*.[.&[/';*.[**Z <+$= ;*.[.&[/ / ;*.[.&[/'"> <<<% ;*.[.&[/'x&<Z=> < +/= ;*.[.&[= .=<)$(U$X;*.[.&/ <C% ;*.[.&/';*.[,*Z&$>%'[ <, ;*.[.&[/'C,%<Z* <C( ;*.[.&/ ../"%.] ;*.[.&/>'[G . ;*.[.&[/'[/<Z* K%.,> ;*.[.&[/'.> = ;*.[.&.=';*.[.U[>=X*Z Bilgay Duman ORSAM Researcher, Middle East +x ;*.[)%*Z %$ ;*.[/"UX*Z Oytun Orhan ORSAM Researcher, Middle East =<( ;*.[*=.&[/ +" ;*.[*=.&[/ (= ;*.[&[/ [$]>% ;*.[&[/}= <> ;*.[&;( x/"% ;*.[&,= .<(= ;*.[&[/ "} ;*.[&[/ [}. ;*.[&[/

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ORSAM ADVISORY BOARD

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ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 27 ORSAM CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES

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28 ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 SYRIAN CIRCASSIANS ORSAM

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ORSAM Report No: 130, November 2012 29 ORSAM

Mithatpaşa Caddesi 46/6 Kızılay-ANKARA Phone: 0 (312) 430 26 09 Fax: 0 (312) 430 39 48 www.orsam.org.tr, [email protected]