Over 660 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – At least 664 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Sunday, according to security sources.</p> <p>In Turkey’s Aegean Aydin province, 34 irregular migrants on a rubber boat were held by the Turkish Coast Guard, said a source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.</p> <p>Separately, 252 irregular migrants who reportedly entered Turkey illegally were held in eastern province of Van, another source said.</p> <p>Also, gendarmerie forces held six irregular migrants — all Bangladeshi nationals — in northwestern Tekirdag province.</p> <p>In northwestern Edirne province that borders Greece and Bulgaria, the gendarmerie forces held 372 migrants who were trying to go abroad using illegal routes.</p> <p>One suspect also arrested for alleged human smuggling.</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 to 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.