165 irregular migrants held across Turkey

MUGLA, Turkey

At least 165 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Wednesday, according to security sources.

Gendarmerie forces held 79 irregular migrants trying to illegally cross to Europe in the southwestern Mugla province, a source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

In another operation, 36 irregular migrants who entered Turkey illegally -- 19 from Afghanistan and 17 from Pakistan -- were held in Ipekyolu in the eastern Van province.

In the northwestern province of Kirklareli, gendarmerie forces held seven Afghan migrants in a truck in Luleburgaz, while in an another operation, 11 irregular migrants were held in Kofcaz.

The truck driver was arrested.

Separately, police forces held six irregular migrants trying to illegally cross to Greece.

Additionally, in Antakya, in the southern border province of Hatay, security forces held 26 Syrian irregular migrants.

All the migrants were later referred to provincial migration directorates.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross to Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.

Some 268,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry.

With reporting by Necat Hazar in Van, Ozgun Tiran in Kirklareli, Ilker Gurel in Edirne and Salim Tas in Hatay

* Writing by Burak Bir.