76 suspects arrested for attacking and looting Syrian shops in Turkey

At least 76 people were arrested on Thursday in connection with riots in Ankara last night in which hundreds of people attacked and looted Syrian shops and homes.

"The detainees have been charged with looting, deliberate injury and theft," Ankara police headquarters said in a statement. At least 38 of the detainees have criminal records, the statement added.

Images on social media show a mob attacking with sticks several shops, doorways and vehicles allegedly belonging to Syrian residents in the area.

Several shops were looted and belongings were burned in the middle of the street, while the group shouted slogans against Syrian refugees.

Police loudspeakers called for the crowd to disperse and helped several Syrian residents to escape, according to several local journalists in the area.

"These horrific scenes come against a backdrop of weeks, if not months, of anti-refugee rhetoric from politicians and the media," said Milena Büyüm of Amnesty International Turkey in a tweet.

In recent weeks, politicians and the media have been debating Turkey's migration management, after the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan could lead to an increase in the arrival of Afghan refugees in Turkey.

Opposition parties in Turkey, mainly the social democratic CHP and the nationalist IYI party, have questioned the reception of 3.6 million Syrian refugees in the country and suggested negotiating with the Syrian authorities for their return.