35 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By Mesut Karaduman and Erdal Turkoglu </p> <p>TEKIRDAG / HATAY, Turkey (AA) – A total of 35 irregular migrants were held in northwestern Tekirdag and southern Hatay provinces, security sources said on Wednesday. </p> <p>In Suleymanpasa district of Tekirdag province, 12 migrants — all Pakistani nationals — were rounded up by the police, said a police source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.</p> <p>The migrants were also carrying an inflatable boat, the source added.</p> <p>Separately, 23 irregular migrants — all Syrian nationals — were held in Altinozu district of Hatay when they were trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria, another source said. </p> <p>Migrants were referred to provincial migration directorates. </p> <p>Some 265,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018 as of Oct. 15, according to the Interior Ministry. </p> <p>At least 9,947 irregular migrants trying to cross to Greek islands were also rounded up in southern Aegean in 2018. </p> <p>Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011 when the Syrian civil war began.