Türkiye detects another illegal Greek pushback of irregular migrants

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye has detected another illegal pushback of irregular migrants by Greek authorities, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"On August 16, 2022, a Turkish Navy UAV detected irregular migrants being transferred to 6 inflatable boats and pushed back towards Turkish territorial waters by a Greek Coast Guard boat in the east of the island of Sisam (Samos) in the Aegean Sea," a ministry statement said.

It added the situation was immediately reported to the Turkish Coast Guard which rescued the irregular migrants.

The ministry also shared the visuals of the illegal pushbacks on its Twitter account.

Türkiye has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Ankara and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.