By Mehmet Yavas and Erdal Turkoglu
CANAKKALE/HATAY, Turkey (AA) – At least 82 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Monday.
In Ayvacik district of western Canakkale province, gendarmerie forces rounded up 38 irregular migrants – all Afghan nationals — off the coast of Kocakoy village, a security source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
The migrants, including women and children, were trying to reach Greek islands, the source added.
Separately, 44 irregular migrants — all Syrian nationals — trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria were held by the gendarmerie and coast guard in Altinozu district of Hatay, a southern border province.
All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration directorates.
Some 265,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018 as of Oct. 15, according to the Interior Ministry.
At least 9,947 irregular migrants trying to cross to Greek islands were also rounded up in the southern Aegean Sea in 2018.
Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011 when the Syrian civil war began.
