Over 230 irregular migrants held across Turkey

ANKARA

At least 234 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Sunday, according to security sources.

In northwestern Edirne province – bordering Greece and Bulgaria -- gendarmerie forces held 38 migrants, said a source, on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Also, 41 irregular migrants aboard rubber boats were held by the Turkish Coast Guard off the coast of Mugla province.

Separately, 18 irregular migrants on a rubber boat were held by the Turkish Coast Guard in the Aegean province of Aydin.

One of the migrants, Iraqi national Rasha Abdullali was traveling with his dog named Loli, both of them are safe.

In another operation, 137 irregular migrants who reportedly entered Turkey illegally held in eastern province of Van.

All of 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. The migrants were mostly Afghan, Pakistani, Syrian and Iraqi nationals.