Over 3,000 people detained along Turkey’s borders

By Zehra Aydin and Yasemin Kalyoncuoglu

ANKARA

Turkish security forces have detained more than 3,000 people attempting to illegally cross Turkey’s borders, said the Turkish General Staff’s official website.

The Turkish Land Forces Command detained 3,058 people trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria, the statement said on Thursday.

Conversely, two others were detained trying to cross into Syria from Turkey.

Another 16 trying to enter Turkey from Iraq were also held.

A total of 239 people were detained along the Turkish-Greek border: Four trying to enter Turkey from Greece, and the rest trying to do the reverse.

Separately, two PKK terrorists were taken in custody by security forces in the southeastern Diyarbakir province’s Ergani district and Bitlis’ Ahlat district.

Arms and ammunitions belonging to the terrorist PKK were also seized in various Turkish cities.

Also, in northern Iraq’s Mt. Qandil and Hakurk districts, PKK weapon emplacements, caves, and shelters were destroyed by airstrikes.