Turkey: Over 1,280 undocumented migrants held in 2 days

By Cansu Dikme

ANKARA (AA) - More than 1,200 undocumented migrants have been held over the last two days in Turkey for attempting to illegally cross the country’s borders, security sources and the military said on Tuesday.

Border Guards arrested 930 people when they attempted to enter Turkey from the Syrian border, the Turkish General Staff said in its daily report.

In addition, 57 migrants were held while they were trying to illegally cross into Greece and 56 more were rounded up when they attempted to cross into Turkey, it added.

Separately on Tuesday, coast guards held 43 foreign nationals in southern Mugla province.

The undocumented migrants were apprehended when the security units stopped an inflatable boat, carrying a Yemeni and 42 Syrians in Bodrum district.

In eastern Erzurum province, police held 200 people, including Afghans and Pakistanis after receiving a tip-off that undocumented migrants were walking in groups on the Agri-Erzurum road.

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