Turkey detains over 1,890 for illegal entry from Syria

By Zehra Aydin, Hilmi Tunahan Karakaya and Abdullah Yildiz

ANKARA / HATAY / KIRSEHIR, Turkey

More than 1,950 people, including over 1,890 for crossing over from Syria have been held across Turkey since Wednesday, according to authorities Thursday.

According to Turkish General Staff’s statement on its official website, Turkish Land Forces Command’s border guards detained 1,892 people crossing over from Syria Wednesday as they tried to cross into Turkey illegally.

According to the statement, another person was also detained as he tried to enter Turkey from Iran.

“42 others from Greece, 13 from Nakchivan were also detained as they tried to cross into Turkey,” the statement said.

“75 migrants were detained trying to go to Greece illegally from Turkey,” it added.

Separately, 12 foreign nationals were detained in southern Hatay province’s Hassa district, according to a gendarmerie source, who wished to stay anonymous due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Also, 30 Afghans, 17 Pakistanis and three Bangladeshis were detained in central Anatolian province of Kirsehir, according to a police department’s statement to Anadolu Agency.

Three others were also detained on the charge of human trafficking.