Nearly 1,230 irregular migrants held across Turkey

<p>By Salih Baran </p> <p>EDIRNE, Turkey (AA) – At least 1,227 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Friday, according to security sources. </p> <p>In the northwestern Edirne province — bordering Greece and Bulgaria — gendarmerie forces held some 287 migrants, said a source, on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media. </p> <p>Meanwhile, police held some 496 irregular migrants in the same province when they were trying to illegally cross to Bulgaria. </p> <p>In northwestern Kirklareli province, gendarmerie forces held 43 migrants during regular patrols, another source said. </p> <p>One alleged human smuggler was also arrested in the operation. </p> <p>In northwestern province of Tekirdag, police held 181 irregular migrants during regular patrols. The police also arrested one alleged human smuggler. </p> <p>Meanwhile, some 71 irregular migrants were held in two different operations in Aegean Aydin province. </p> <p>Separately, in Aegean Izmir province, 119 irregular migrants aboard rubber boats were held by the Turkish Coast Guard off the coast of Ozdere. Security forces also arrested one alleged human smuggler. </p> <p>In the southeastern Siirt province, gendarmerie forces held 30 irregular migrants for reportedly trying to illegally enter Turkey. </p> <p>All of the migrants were later referred to provincial migration directorates. </p> <p>Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria. </p> <p>Some 268,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry. The migrants were mostly Afghan, Pakistani, Syrian and Iraqi nationals. </p> <p> </p> <p>*Ozgur Tiran in Kirklareli; Bahri Asik and Mehmet Calik in Aydin; Alper Aral, Suleyman Coskun Bozyel and Mesut Karaduman in Tekirdag; Fecri Barlik in Siirt; Safak Yel in İzmir contributed this story </p> <p> </p> <p>*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic </p> <p> </p><br>