Over 900 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

IZMIR, Turkey

At least 967 undocumented migrants have been held during anti-human trafficking operations across Turkey during the last 24 hours, according to a security source.

In the Aegean Izmir province, the coast guard held 190 undocumented migrants trying to reach Greece within the last 24 hours, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Another 18 undocumented migrants were held in Bodrum in the southwestern Mugla province. 

Also, 95 migrants were held in the Aegean province of Aydin’s Didim district and Izmir's Cesme district by gendarmerie and security units.

Later, another 18 undocumented migrants in a wooden boat were held by the coast guard in Bodrum. One of the migrants was a Palestinian national, and 17 others were Syrian nationals heading to Greece. 

Another 37 Afghan nationals were held in the eastern Van province.

In the northwestern Edirne province, security personnel held a total of 609 undocumented migrants. 

Security units rounded up the migrants during patrols in Edirne's Bosnakoy, Yenikadin, Orhaniye, Uzunkopru, Ipsala and Meric districts. 

The migrants included Syrians, Algerians, Palestinians, Moroccans, Iraqis, Pakistanis, Afghans, Egyptians, Bangladeshis, and Libyans.

All the held migrants were sent to regional immigration departments.

Turkey has been a main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.