Turkey investigates graphic video of soldiers beating Syrian refugees

Turkish soldiers have been arrested after a video emerged of troops beating Syrian refugees.

The Turkish General Staff said on Sunday that an investigation has begun over the soldiers' "unaccceptable" treatment of the refugees, who were reportedly attempting to cross the border illegally.

The Syrians trying to enter the country were deported after undergoing medical examinations, the Daily Sabah reported.

On Friday, a video showing Turkish soldiers beating and abusing the refugees caught at the border was shared on social media, sparking outrage.

Several Turkish soldiers are seen beating the refugees and asking them: "Why do you come to Turkey?" "What is in Turkey for you?" "Are you going to come Turkey again?" and "Why did you help refugees cross the border? Are you refugee smugglers?"

@MuratzenciTR, who shared the video on Twitter, said: "When you watch this without sound, you would think that [Bashar Al] Assad's soldiers are torturing the Syrians. It is a shock when you watch it with sound…"

The video was seen in Germany, according to Turkish authorities who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

A grand jury investigating the matter, confirmed the video was sent by a border guard to Germany via the WhatsApp massaging service, authorities said.

The video was described as a "conscious act made in order to cause trouble and weaken Turkey and Turkish Armed Forces", according to authorities.

Turkey is hosting more than 2.7 million Syrian refugees in the country who have fled the six-year conflict which has killed over 310,000 people. Less than a tenth live in refugee camps, the rest in Turkish cities.