Over 550 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By S. Ahmet Aytac

ANKARA

At least 552 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Monday.

In the northwestern Edirne province, 322 irregular migrants -- including women and children -- were held in the villages of Bosnakoy, Orhaniye, Yenikadın and the districts of Meric, Uzunkopru Kesan, said a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The migrants -- Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Iraqi, Iranian, Indian, Moroccan, Algerian, and Palestinian nationals -- were trying to reach Europe, the source added.

Also, security forces held 62 migrants – all Afghan and Pakistan nationals -- in Kofcaz in the northwestern Kirklareli province.
They were working to cross to the Greek islands, sources said.

Separately, 114 irregular migrants -- Syrian, Afghan and Palestinians -- were held by gendarmerie and coast guard forces in Didim in the western Aydin province. The migrants were trying to get to Europe, sources said.

In the eastern Malatya province, 33 irregular migrants -- Syrian, Afghan and Pakistan nationals -- were held by the gendarmerie in the Kale district.

Separately, in Edremit in the northwestern Balikesir province, 21 irregular migrants were held by gendarmerie forces.

All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration directorates.

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