Türkiye rescues 28 irregular migrants pushed back into Turkish waters by Greece

ISTANBUL

The Turkish Coast Guard on Sunday rescued a total of 28 irregular migrants forced back into the country's territorial waters by Greek forces in the Aegean Sea.

In the first of two successful rescue operations off the country's Aegean shores, the Coast Guard Command said on its website that 14 migrants, including four children, were saved from a rubber boat off the district of Dikili in Izmir province.

The other operation took place off the coast of Datca district in the province of Mugla, resulting in the rescue of an additional 14 migrants, among them seven children, from a lifeboat.

All migrants were transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management for further processing.

Türkiye has been a key transit point for asylum seekers wanting to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Ankara and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.