Some 220 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By Safak Yel

ANKARA

At least 220 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Thursday.

In the eastern Van province, bordering Iran, gendarmerie forces rounded up 41 irregular migrants who entered Turkey illegally, said a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Security forces arrested two alleged human smugglers.

In another operation, 46 migrants in a rubber boat were held by the Turkish Coast Guard in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Izmir province.

Separately, security forces arrested 44 others in a rubber boat off the coast of Kusadasi in the Aegean Aydin province.

Some 13 irregular migrants -- Palestinian, Syrian, Yemeni nationals -- were held by the Turkish Coast Guard in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Mugla province.

Security forces also arrested one over human smuggling.

In the southern Hatay province, 11 migrants who illegally entered Turkey were held by security forces at the border with Syria.

One alleged human smuggler arrested in operation.

In the northwestern Balikesir province, gendarmerie forces rounded up 37 irregular migrants during regular patrols.

Some 28 irregular migrants in a rubber boat were held by the Turkish Coast Guard off the coast off northwestern Edirne province.

All the migrants were referred to provincial migration directorates.

Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011, the start of the Syrian civil war.

Over 265,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry.