Abu Jamal Neighborhood, Southern Antakya, Khataiy
Opposition protestors
Massive protests have begun in the Khataiyi capital of Antakya, in the southern suburbs with Abu Jamal seeing the largest protests, the neighborhood had a historically large Turkish population and had been a Kemalist hotbed prior to the fall of the Ottoman Empire, after its fall the area also became renowned for a progressive population influenced by the French during their control during the 1930s and 1940s, during this time it was common to see Arabs inter-marrying with the French, after the war when Khataiy gained independence the area retained its liberalism and became a stronghold for the pro-western government.
The area remains largely populated with ethnic Turks, former Government officials that had worked for the pro-western government and liberals, the area was popular with many young people in Khataiy as well as youths from around the Middle East and western tourists. Protestors began protests in the neighborhood calling for the resignation of President Omar Khairallah.
Protestors have become inspired by recent protests in Algeria and Sudan and are calling for reforms to the constitution, liberalization, the end of Arabist policies, and re-westernization. Protestors have begun waving the pre-revolutionary flag. Among the calls for Khairallah's resignation many in the opposition claim he has no right to rule in Khataiy as his grandparents and parents originate from Iraq and Syria.
One protestor a young student from the nearby Antakya University told journalists, "He isn't a Khataiyi his grandfather came from Iraq and his father from Syria, they came here illegally to live in this country and now the rule it? Khataiy is a diverse country with a unique history, I hardly even consider myself an Arab, I am Khataiyi before I am Arab, whereas Khairallah he is Arab and Arab only he is not compatible with our country."
In addition to calls for Khairallah's resignation, and reformd the opposition has also called for increased relations with the European Union along with distancing from the Arab and greater Islamic world. Another protestor told journalists "Khairallah has insane policies that target minorities, and anyone he feels needs to be targeted even if they hurt no one, it is 2019 and Khataiy still executes homosexuals and people who leave Islam, I am a Muslim but if you do not believe in my religion I have no problem with you, we are all Khataiyis and we should be united, I think it is also extremely backwards how Marijuana for medical use is likewise punished with death, everything can get you killed here, I only ask Allah to protect me after speaking with you, I don't want the police or Munafidhi or something coming after me."
The office of President Khairallah released a statement addressing the unrest,
The political situation in regards to the current protests are the result of foreign instigated agitation to undermine the stability and unity of the Arab State of Khataiy. Any instances of civil unrest are being handled by the proper authorities to ensure the safety of the public remains intact, our nation recognizes the right of the people to freely assemble and protest against the current government, however any unlawful acts during such protests are subject to a response both legally and physically.
From the office of the Presidency of the Arab State of Khataiy
Signed,
President Omar Khairallah al-Annazah