Türkiye holds over 250 irregular migrants

MUGLA/CANAKKALE/BALIKESIR/VAN/SAKARYA, Türkiye

Turkish forces held over 250 irregular migrants across Türkiye, security sources said Monday.

Coast guard teams were dispatched off the coast of Ayvalik district in Balikesir province after detecting 33 foreign nationals in boats, according to the Turkish Coast Guard Command. They were attempting to cross to the Greek island of Lesbos (Midilli).

Turkish teams also rescued 42 irregular migrants in Ayvacik in Canakkale province.

Coast guard teams also rescued nine irregular migrants off the coast of Bodrum in Mugla province. Their rubber boat had been dragged by the tides and they asked for help.

After they were rescued, all of the migrants were taken to provincial migration offices.

Coast guard teams were dispatched off the coast of Dikili, Izmir after detecting 45 irregular migrants in two lifeboats, according to the Turkish Coast Guard Command. They were illegally pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek authorities, it added.

Separately, 60 irregular migrants were found in Edremit district of eastern Van province, according to a statement by the governorship. The migrants, who were Afghan nationals, were later sent to the local migration office.

Security forces also captured 70 irregular migrants who were dropped off by a truck in Sakarya province.

The driver of the truck entered the country illegally from Dogubayazit district in eastern Agri province. The driver dropped the foreign nationals by the roadside at the entrance of Balbali district.

Türkiye has been a key transit point for irregular migrants wanting to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Türkiye and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back irregular migrants, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar