Over 400 undocumented migrants held across Turkey

By Hakan Mehmet Sahin, Mehmet Toktas and Salim Tas

EDIRNE, Turkey (AA) - A total of 463 undocumented migrants were held across Turkey on Monday, according to security sources.

In the northwestern province of Edirne, 307 migrants were rounded up in Yenikadin, Orhaniye, Bosnakoy, Meric and Ipsala districts, said the provincial gendarmerie sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The migrants from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan were held during regular patrols by gendarmerie units.

Separately, 85 undocumented migrants -- all Syrian nationals -- were rounded up in southern Hatay province, according to provincial gendarmerie sources, adding that they were attempting to illegally cross into Turkey.

Later, an additional 31 Syrian undocumented migrants, including 12 children, attempting to illegally cross into Turkey, were held by the provincial gendarmerie command.

Also, in northwestern Kirklareli province, security units detected five separate groups attempting to cross into Europe by crossing into Bulgaria from Turkey.

Security units rounded up 40 migrants -- including Iraqi, Pakistani, Afghani and Syrian nationals -- during an operation in Kirklareli.

All migrants were referred to provincial migration authorities.

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.