Over 25 irregular migrants held in western Turkey

By Cihan Demirci and Ilkan Toprak

EDIRNE, BALIKESIR Turkey (AA) – At least 27 irregular migrants were held in western Turkey, according to security sources on Friday.

Police squads rounded up 14 migrants – all the Pakistani nationals -- on a highway of Kapikule Border crossing near the country’s Bulgarian border in Edirne province, said the sources who asked not to be named, due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in Edirne, Habib Vofar, one of the migrants, complained about the difficult circumstances in his country, adding that he wanted to look after his family by finding a job in a European country.

Separately, at least 13 Afghan migrants – 10 of them minors -- were held in Ayvalik district of the western Balikesir province.

One individual identified by only his initials Z.B. was arrested for organizing the illegal crossing.

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

Among the migrants held in 2017 in Turkey, the majority came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghans at around 12,000. Syrians totaled at 10,000.