Türkiye holds over 310 irregular migrants

MUGLA/CANAKKALE/IZMIR, Türkiye

Turkish forces held more than 310 irregular migrants across Türkiye, security sources said Wednesday.

A total of 106 irregular migrants from Afghanistan who were pushed back by Greece were rescued off the coast of Ayvacik district in the northwestern province of Canakkale.

Coast guard teams caught 20 irregular migrants trying to cross illegally in rubber boats off the coast of Bodrum district in southwestern Mugla province, the Turkish Coast Guard Command said in a statement.

Meanwhile, teams rescued 47 irregular immigrants who were pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greek elements off the coast of Bodrum, said the Coast Guard Command.

The Turkish Coast Guard Command said their teams also caught 31 migrants trying to cross illegally off the coast of Cesme district in western Izmir province.

Teams also rescued 73 irregular immigrants who were pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greek elements off the coasts of Seferihisar and Dikili districts in Izmir, said the Coast Guard Command.

Coast guard teams nabbed 39 irregular migrants trying to cross illegally in rubber boats off the coast of Kusadasi district in western Aydin province, the Coast Guard Command said in a separate statement.

All of the migrants were taken to provincial migration offices.

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 Zehra Nur Duz