Ankara: Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Sunday that security forces arrested 393 migrants during operations across 36 provinces amid rising attempts of migration to Europe via land and sea. The arrests were part of a concerted effort by Turkish authorities to address the increasing migrant activity at its borders.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Yerlikaya stated in a post on social media platform X that the week-long operations also led to the detention of 102 migrant smugglers, with 22 of them remanded in custody. These operations primarily targeted southern and southeastern provinces, where migration activities have been particularly pronounced.
Yerlikaya highlighted that Turkiye remains committed to managing migration through various strategies, including legal migration, addressing irregular crossings, providing international protection, facilitating voluntary returns, and enhancing border security. The country's land borders with Greece and Bulgaria, as well as its coastal regions, have been focal points for increased migrant activity. In response, security forces have implemented various measures to prevent illegal crossings and ensure the safety and security of the borders.