HATAY, Turkey

At least nine Syrian irregular migrants were held in Turkey's southern province of Hatay on Monday, a security source said.

Security forces raided a home in the Ogulpinar neighborhood in the Reyhanli district, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

A stolen motorcycle and drugs were also seized during the operation, it added.

One of the migrants was remanded into custody by a local court while others are set to be deported, the source said.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Turkey hosts about 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar in Ankara