Ali Murat Alhas
November 10, 2021•Update: November 10, 2021
MUGLA/ARTVIN/KIRKLARELI/AYDIN, Turkey
The Turkish Coast Guard Command rescued irregular migrants on Wednesday who were pushed back into Turkey’s territorial waters by Greek elements.
In Aydin province, 52 were rescued following the Greek push-back when the Coast Guard dispatched a unit to help the migrants struggling on rubber boats.
Fifty-seven others were rescued in Mugla province off Marmaris district.
In addition, 54 migrants – 49 in northeastern Artvin province and five in northwestern Kirklareli – were held by local gendarmerie forces after they entered the country illegally.
The migrants were referred to the provincial migration offices and suspected human traffickers were arrested.
Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
It already hosts over 4 million refugees, more than any country in the world, and has enhanced security measures on its borders to humanely prevent a fresh influx of migrants.
* Writing by Ali Murat Alhas in Ankara
