IZMIR/AYDIN/CANAKKALE/ANTALYA, Türkiye

The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 225 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea after Greek authorities pushed them back into Turkish territorial waters, according to a statement Thursday.

Coast guard units saved 108 irregular migrants from a rubber boat off the districts of Seferihisar, Foca, Dikili and Urla in Izmir, while 43 were rescued off the Kusadasi district in Aydin province, said the Coast Guard.

Teams also rescued 46 migrants off the district of Ayvacik in Canakkale province along with 28 off the Kas district of Antalya province.

The migrants were transported to the provincial migration department.

Türkiye and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

*Writing by Merve Berker