Türkİye

Over 370 irregular migrants held across Turkey

The migrants are Iraqi, Iranian, Afghan, Pakistani and Syrian nationals

Munira Abdelmenan Awel  | 16.10.2018 - Update : 16.10.2018
Over 370 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By Ozgun Tiran

KIRKLARELI, Turkey

Turkish security forces held a total of 374 irregular migrants across the country on Tuesday, according to security sources.

In northwestern Kirklareli province, the forces rounded up 104 irregular migrants, including Iraqi, Iranian, Pakistani and Afghan nationals, a security source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Separately, 140 Syrian migrants were held in Altinozu district of southern Hatay province, another source said.

In addition, police rounded up 108 irregular migrants from Pakistan and Afghanistan in Baskale district of eastern Van province.

The security forces also held 12 migrants, including Syrian and Afghan nationals, in Akyarlar area of Bodrum city in southwestern Mugla province.

Ten more migrants from Pakistan were held in northeastern Kars province.

All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration offices.

Turkey has been the main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011 when the Syrian civil war began.

* Erdal Turkoglu in Hatay, Zafer Tayfur in Van, Ali Balli in Mugla and Huseyin Demirci in Kars contributed to this story.

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.