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Vandals in Turkey have targeted several Alevi houses in a province the city of İzmir. Ermenihaber reports that unidentified persons spray-painted “Go away Alevis” along with an “X” mark on the exterior wall of houses in the Gaziemir district. As the local source report, the marking has stirred nationwide outrage, with condemnation from many political figures as well as the government.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed the marking of the door of Alevi family’s houses, saying the state had no problem with the Alevis. In his words,  security forces are meticulously working on finding the assailants.

The Alevi faith group is a pre-Islamic folk religion with some features from Shia Islam. Alevis conduct religious practices distinct from Turkey’s Sunni majority.