By Ozgun Tiran and Zafer Tayfur
KIRKLARELI/VAN, Turkey (AA) – Security forces held a total of 283 migrants across Turkey on Tuesday.
In Turkey’s northwestern province of Kirklareli, gendarmerie forces held 84 migrants of Iranian, Pakistani, Iraqi and Afghan nationality attempting to illegally cross into Bulgaria.
One person was arrested on human smuggling charges, said security sources speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.
Additionally, gendarmerie forces held 199 migrants including children in the eastern province of Van at three separate checkpoints, sources said.
The migrants include Afghan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals.
Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011 when the Syrian civil war began.
