Threat perceptions, loyalties and attitudes towards peace: The effects of civilian victimization among Syrian refugees in Turkey

Kristin Fabbe, Chad Hazlett and Tolga Sinmazdemir
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Kristin Fabbe: 1856Harvard Business School, USA
Chad Hazlett: 8783University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Tolga Sinmazdemir: 4913SOAS University of London, UK

Conflict Management and Peace Science, 2024, vol. 41, issue 3, 263-288

Abstract: For refugees who have fled civil conflict, do experiences of victimization by one armed group push them to support the opposing armed groups? Or, does victimization cause refugees to revoke their support for all armed groups, whatever side they are on, and call instead for peace? This paper studies the effect of civilian victimization on threat perceptions, loyalties, and attitudes toward peace in the context of Syrian refugees in Turkey, many of whom faced regime-caused violence prior to their departure. Our research strategy leverages variation in home destruction caused by barrel bombs to examine the effect of violence on refugees’ views. We find that refugees who lose their home to barrel bombs withdraw support from armed actors and are more supportive of ending the war and finding peace. Suggestive evidence shows that while victims do not disengage from issues in Syria, they do show less optimism about an opposition victory.

Keywords: civil wars; civilian victimization; refugees; Syria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:compsc:v:41:y:2024:i:3:p:263-288

DOI: 10.1177/07388942231172754

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