Over 200 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Meric Urer and Ali Riza Akkir

MUGLA/IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces on Monday held 208 undocumented migrants as they were attempting to cross the country’s borders, security sources said.

Gendarmerie forces held 145 undocumented migrants -- including Pakistani, Afghan and Bangladeshi nationals -- in Seydikemer district of southwestern Mugla province, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Separately coast guard teams found 63 undocumented migrants off the coasts of Dikili district of the Aegean Izmir province, a security source said who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restriction on speaking to the media.

Among those held in the boat were 12 women and 34 children.

All of the migrants, who were reportedly trying to cross from Turkey to Greece, were taken to the regional immigration department.

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 totaled about 10,000.

There has been a 60 percent increase in migrant flow since 2016. The number was 31,000 in 2016.