Over 100 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Erdal Turkoglu, Mehmet Toktas and Ufuk Ertop

KIRKLARELI / HATAY, Turkey (AA) - A total of 103 undocumented migrants were held across Turkey on Monday, according to security sources.

In southern Hatay province, 82 Syrian refugees were rounded up while trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria, a security source told Anadolu Agency requesting to be unnamed due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Security units also rounded up 21 migrants -- who are Iraqi and Pakistan nationals -- during an operation in the northwestern province of Kirklareli.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011.

Among the migrants held last year in Turkey, the majority came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghans at around 12,000. Syrians totaled 10,000.