More than 975 undocumented migrants held across Turkey

By Muhammed Ali Toruntay

ANKARA

More than 975 undocumented migrants have been held across Turkey for trying to cross the border illegally, the military said Tuesday.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said 896 people were held Monday while they made a bid to cross into Turkey from Syria.

Border forces also detained 80 others while attempting to illegally enter Greece on Monday, it added.

Turkey has enhanced its security measures along the Syrian frontier in 2017, building a 731-kilometer (454-mile) wall, to combat smuggling and illegal border crossings.

Additionally, at least 116 undocumented migrants have been held during anti-human trafficking operations across Turkey, according to coast guard officials on Tuesday.

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

Among migrants held in 2017 in Turkey, the majority came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghans at around 12,000. Syrians totalled about 10,000.