Poland detains 100 migrants after they cross Belarus' border

By Mehmet Yilmaz and Askin Kiyagan

WARSAW, Poland (AA) – Polish security forces detained at least 100 irregular migrants after they crossed the border from Belarus, the Polish Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

The migrants, led by Belarusians, were caught in the village of Dubicze Cerkiewne in northeastern Poland, the ministry said on Twitter.

After Belarusian forces broke open the border fence, the migrants threw stones at Polish forces to distract them before illegally entering the country, it alleged.

Belarusian special forces were accused by the ministry of leading migrants to attack Polish forces in the border village.

Since August, the EU countries bordering Belarus – Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland – have reported a dramatically growing number of irregular crossings.

Over 8,000 people have tried to enter the bloc via the Belarus-EU border so far this year, up sharply from just 150 last year.

According to the EU, Belarus reaches out to potential travelers through seemingly official channels, including diplomatic missions and travel agencies, and invites them to Belarus by offering visas. They are then allegedly guided to the EU border.

​​​​​​​Over the last week, at least 2,000 people, including women and children, have been stuck in the Belarusian-Polish border area in dire conditions.​​​​​​​

* Writing and contributions by Ahmet Gencturk in Ankara