Türkiye sends back over 42,600 irregular migrants since beginning of 2022

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye sent back at least 42,666 irregular migrants, including 24,341 Afghan and 6,025 Pakistani nationals, since the start of 2022, the country’s migration management authority said on Tuesday.

Türkiye operated its 94th charter flight to Afghanistan since the beginning of 2022 to fly back irregular Afghan migrants, the Presidency of Migration Management said in a written statement.

With five charter flights between June 18-21 from Türkiye’s eastern province of Malatya, the country sent back 1,135 Afghan nationals to Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, the statement noted, adding that the number of Afghan nationals deported in 2022 has reached 24,341.

The total number of irregular migrants sent back in 2022 has reached 42,666, including 6,025 Pakistani nationals, the statement revealed.

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.

Already hosting 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world, Türkiye is taking new security measures at its borders to humanely prevent a new influx of migrants.